Headlines
Russian attack cuts power in Ukraine's Kharkiv, 23 wounded in Odesa
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Summary
Russian strikes hit Kharkiv, causing power outages, and injure 23 in Odesa. Energy infrastructure in Ukraine faces severe damage.
Russian Strikes Leave Kharkiv in Darkness, 23 Injured in Odesa
Impact of Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Cities
Jan 26 (Reuters) - Russian drones and missiles hit Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, late on Monday, knocking out power during freezing winter weather, while 23 people were wounded in an overnight attack on the southern city of Odesa, officials said.
Casualties and Damage in Kharkiv
Two people were injured and two schools damaged in the attack on Kharkiv, Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on the Telegram messaging app.
Odesa Under Fire: Injuries and Destruction
Pictures on unofficial Telegram channels showed the eastern city, a frequent Russian target 30 km (18 miles) from the Russian border, plunged into darkness.
Challenges in Repairing Energy Infrastructure
80% of CITY, REGION WITHOUT POWER
The Ukrainian air force said on Tuesday Russian troops had launched 165 drones - 135 of them neutralised by air defence units.
"Our energy system came under attack and there was quite serious damage. All crews are at work to eliminate all the negative consequences quickly," Syniehubov said in a video posted on Telegram.
"About 80% of the city of Kharkiv and Kharkiv region is without electricity," he added.
The constant threat of further air raids was complicating repair efforts, he said.
Russia also carried out a "massive" drone attack on the southern city of Odesa overnight, the head of the city's military administration, Serhiy Lysak, said on Telegram.
Regional governor Oleh Kiper said that among the 23 injured, nine people including two children and a pregnant woman had been hospitalised.
People could still be trapped under the rubble, he said.
Dozens of residential buildings, a church, a kindergarten and a high school were damaged in the attack, which caused large fires in several locations, Kiper added.
The city of Odesa and the surrounding region, which houses Ukraine's Black Sea ports, have been frequent targets of Russian attacks in recent weeks.
Energy infrastructure was the main target of a drone attack in the neighbouring Mykolaiv region, the regional governor said, adding that a 59-year-old woman was injured.
In western Ukraine's Lviv region, which borders NATO-member Poland, an infrastructure facility also came under Russian attack, the regional governor said.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski, Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Paul Simao, Himani Sarkar and Andrew Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •Russian drones and missiles hit Kharkiv, causing power outages.
- •23 people were injured in an attack on Odesa.
- •Kharkiv's energy infrastructure severely damaged.
- •Odesa and Mykolaiv regions targeted by drone attacks.
- •Repair efforts hampered by ongoing threats.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian attack cuts power in Ukraine's Kharkiv, 23 wounded in Odesa
1What is energy infrastructure?
Energy infrastructure refers to the physical systems and structures that generate, transmit, and distribute energy, including power plants, transmission lines, and substations.
2What is a drone attack?
A drone attack involves the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry out military operations, often targeting specific locations or individuals.
3What is a regional governor?
A regional governor is an official who governs a specific region or province, overseeing local administration and implementing policies at the regional level.
4What is a military administration?
A military administration is a form of governance established by military authorities, often in areas under military control, to maintain order and implement policies.
5What is a casualty in military terms?
A casualty refers to a person who is killed, injured, or missing in action during military operations.
