Russian missiles and drones struck power plants and electricity networks in Ukraine overnight on February 7, causing successive blackouts and adding pressure on a grid already weakened by weeks of attacks, Ukrainian authorities reported.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said the government has implemented emergency nationwide power cuts.
Kyiv also requested emergency assistance from Poland after Russia targeted the Burshtynska and Dobrotvirska power plants in western Ukraine overnight.
“Russian criminals have carried out yet another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The assault continues,” Shmyhal said in a statement posted on Telegram. “Energy workers are ready to begin repairs as soon as the security situation allows.”
The latest large-scale attack on the country’s electricity grid comes after weeks of Russian strikes that have already left parts of Ukraine, especially the capital Kyiv, without electricity, heating, and in some cases even running water, while temperatures have occasionally fallen below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian assault involved missiles and drones targeting key population centers in central and western Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attacks on the energy sector are part of a broader campaign by Moscow aimed at depriving civilians of heat during freezing winter temperatures.
Two airports in eastern Poland temporarily suspended operations as a precaution due to Russian strikes near Ukrainian territory, Polish authorities reported on February 7.
“In order to ensure the free operation of military aviation, the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin have temporarily suspended flight operations,” announced the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency on X.
Kyiv has been particularly hard-hit by repeated Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. More than 1,110 residential blocks were left without heating following an attack on the Ukrainian capital last week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously called for faster action to strengthen air defenses and repair damages, stating that personnel changes will occur in areas where air defense has not functioned effectively.
“The small-scale air defense component, particularly against attack drones, must operate more efficiently and prevent existing problems,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address on February 6.
Diplomatic efforts to end the nearly five-year-long full-scale war in Ukraine continue, with the latest round of talks this week resulting in a prisoner exchange but no major progress, while the contentious issue of territorial concessions from Kyiv remains unresolved.
Speaking to journalists on February 6, U.S. President Donald Trump said ongoing talks could lead to progress.
“Very, very good talks today regarding Russia–Ukraine,” Trump said. “Something may be happening.”
The Kremlin earlier stated that a third round of peace talks should take place “soon,” although no date has yet been announced.
