Russia's overnight strikes on Ukraine's energy network cut power to about 1.2 million properties as temperatures hovered near -10 °C. Kyiv reported thousands of buildings without heating, emergency teams racing to restore services, and casualties in both Kyiv and Kharkiv. Officials said Moscow used hundreds of drones and missiles — including two Tsirkon ballistic missiles — while U.S.-brokered talks in the UAE continued with no immediate breakthrough.
Russia Strikes Ukraine Power Grid — 1.2 Million Properties Left Without Heat and Electricity
Liubov Klymenko, 66, heats fireproof bricks, stones and an old family iron on the stove in her kitchen, which she uses to warm her apartment after critical civil infrastructure was hit by recent Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 23, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Russia launched a large-scale strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with explosions rocking Kyiv overnight and into Saturday morning and leaving roughly 1.2 million properties without power amid sub-zero temperatures.
A person walks past a Point of Invincibility centre, a government‑run shelter that provides basic services and heat during blackouts, set up next to an apartment building left without heating and facing long power cuts after critical civil infrastructure was hit by recent Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 23, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Impact Across Kyiv and Other Regions
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said that by late evening more than 3,200 buildings in Kyiv remained without heating, an improvement from about 6,000 earlier in the day. Night temperatures were near -10 °C (14 °F), increasing the humanitarian risk for vulnerable residents.
Firefighters walk in front of semi-trucks destroyed during Russian overnight drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on Telegram that more than 800,000 households in Kyiv were without electricity and a further 400,000 were cut off in Chernihiv region north of the capital. "As for power, constant enemy attacks unfortunately keep the situation from being stabilised," he said.
People take shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Yan Dobronosov
Casualties, Damage, And Emergency Response
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported one person killed in the capital and four injured, three of whom required hospital treatment. More than 30 people, including a child, were reported injured in Kharkiv. In the northeastern Kyiv suburb of Troyeshchyna, about 600 buildings were left without power, water and heat; authorities provided hot meals, medicine and additional heated shelters operating around the clock.
Police officers inspect remains of a suicide drone after Russian overnight strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
More than 160 emergency crews were working in Kyiv to restore heating, and teams were also deployed across western and southern Ukraine. Officials said they were restoring generation capacity, increasing electricity imports and bringing new alternative sources online to stabilise supply.
Firefighters extinguish semi-trucks damaged during Russian overnight drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Scale And Munitions Used
Ukraine's air force said Moscow unleashed 375 drones and 21 missiles in the attack, including two rarely used Tsirkon ballistic missiles. Kyiv's sky was lit by flares and orange flashes as air defences engaged incoming drones and missiles, with loud booms echoing across the city.
A resident walks at a compound of a car workshop and garage hit during Russian overnight drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, reported strikes in at least four districts and said a medical facility was among the damaged buildings. In Kharkiv — roughly 30 km (18 miles) from the Russian border — Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 25 drones struck several districts, hitting a dormitory for displaced people and two medical facilities, including a maternity hospital.
A firefighter extinguishes semi-trucks damaged during Russian overnight drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Context
Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's power grid since November 2022. This winter has seen some of the heaviest bombardment of energy facilities, leaving many Ukrainians with only limited electricity each day and some without heat or running water. The strikes came as U.S.-brokered trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates between Russia and Ukraine continued into a second day and later adjourned without an immediate breakthrough; further talks were scheduled for the following weekend.
Officials' Actions: Authorities are mobilising generators and imports, opening heated shelters and prioritising repairs to critical power and heating infrastructure.
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