Finance
Almost 60% of Kyiv without power as Russian strikes shatter grid
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 21, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Summary
Kyiv faces severe power outages with over 60% of the city affected due to Russian strikes on energy facilities. Other regions like Kharkiv and Odesa also suffer significant disruptions.
Kyiv Faces Power Outages as Russian Strikes Disrupt Energy Supply
Impact of Russian Strikes on Kyiv's Power Supply
KYIV, Jan 21 (Reuters) - More than half of Kyiv is still without power a day after Russian strikes on energy facilities, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, as Ukrainians struggle through a bitter cold snap.
Current Power Situation
Many of Kyiv's residents have been living in cold apartments with only a few hours of electricity a day - or sometimes none at all - since a recent surge in Russian attacks on a grid battered by nearly four years of missile and drone strikes.
Regional Effects in Kharkiv and Odesa
"As of this morning, about 4,000 buildings in Kyiv are still without heat, and nearly 60 percent of the capital is without electricity," Zelenskiy wrote on X.
Impact on Cellular Services
The temperature in the capital was minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday morning, although it climbed slightly by the afternoon.
Some residents complained on social media of being without electricity or heating for more than a day.
In the eastern region of Kharkiv, where the energy system has also been heavily bombarded, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said 520,000 consumers were without power on Wednesday, down on Tuesday's figure of more than a million.
He said Kharkiv region's energy infrastructure was attacked again on Wednesday.
In the southern region of Odesa, energy company DTEK said one of its facilities had been badly damaged in the morning, depriving several thousand households of power.
Even when some power is restored to households, they face rolling blackouts for most of the day, as a significant chunk of Ukraine's power generation capacity has been taken out by Moscow.
The outages have seriously affected Ukraine's cellular services, with the CEO of Ukraine's largest mobile provider Kyivstar saying that just under 10% of their grid was not working.
(Reporting by Max Hunder and Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •Kyiv is experiencing significant power outages due to Russian strikes.
- •Over 60% of Kyiv is without electricity amid a cold snap.
- •Kharkiv and Odesa regions also face severe energy disruptions.
- •Ukraine's cellular services are impacted by power shortages.
- •Rolling blackouts persist as energy infrastructure is damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions about Almost 60% of Kyiv without power as Russian strikes shatter grid
1What is a power outage?
A power outage is a temporary loss of electrical power in a specific area, often caused by severe weather, equipment failure, or damage to power lines.
2What is energy infrastructure?
Energy infrastructure refers to the physical systems and facilities necessary for the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy, including power plants, substations, and power lines.
3What are rolling blackouts?
Rolling blackouts are intentional, temporary power outages implemented by utility companies to prevent the entire electrical grid from failing during peak demand or emergencies.
4What is the impact of cold weather on energy supply?
Cold weather can increase energy demand for heating, strain energy supply systems, and lead to outages if the infrastructure cannot meet the heightened demand.
5What is the role of the President in energy management?
The President can influence energy policy, coordinate disaster response, and mobilize resources to address energy crises and infrastructure challenges.
