Russian forces launched an overnight drone barrage that damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure and cut electricity to five regions — Sumy, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Chernihiv. The Ukrainian Air Force said 145 drones were launched and 126 were shot down. Damage to facilities in Odesa and Chernihiv left tens of thousands without power, and DTEK reported 30,800 households affected in Odesa. Kyiv, which has declared an energy emergency, plans projects to boost west-to-east power transmission.
Russia's Overnight Drone Barrage Cripples Ukraine's Power Network, Cutting Electricity to Five Regions
Residents observe a damaged car at the site of the Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nina Liashonok
Jan 19 (Reuters) - Russian forces launched a large-scale overnight drone assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving consumers in five regions without power amid freezing temperatures and heightened demand.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian troops deployed 145 drones and that air defences intercepted 126 of them. The Energy Ministry reported outages in Sumy, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions, and said emergency repair work is under way where security conditions permit.
In Odesa region, the governor said energy and gas infrastructure was damaged and one person was injured. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, said an energy facility in Odesa was substantially damaged, cutting power to 30,800 households.
The apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nina Liashonok
A local grid operator in northern Chernihiv reported that five key energy installations were hit, causing outages for tens of thousands of consumers. Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, was also struck with missiles on Monday morning, damaging a critical infrastructure site, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
Moscow has intensified winter strikes targeting generation plants, transmission lines and gas production facilities. Freezing temperatures and accumulated wartime damage have complicated repairs and prolonged blackouts across affected areas.
“Being without electricity for more than 16 hours is awful,” Serhii Kovalenko, CEO of distribution company Yasno, wrote on Facebook. “It is not because of the energy companies, but because of cynical attacks by the enemy, who is trying to create a humanitarian disaster.”
Ukraine declared an energy emergency last week after repeated strikes and accumulated damage weakened the grid. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said the government will implement projects to strengthen west-to-east electricity transmission to better supply the energy-hungry eastern regions.
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka in Gdansk; additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
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