Ukraine’s power supplies are being targeted by the Russian army, leaving much of the country with no heating throughout a cold winter. (Photo by Ed Ram/Getty Images)

A slew of Russian missile and drone strikes have left millions across Ukraine without electricity, heating or water. Ukrainians are now preparing to endure a winter of power cuts that, for many, will prove deadly.

Following numerous defeats on the battlefield in recent months, the Russian military has concentrated its attacks on Ukrainian power facilities, fuel storage depots and waterworks. Sites across the country, from the capital Kyiv to Odesa in the south and both west and east Ukraine, have been hit.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

In late November, Russian attacks cut off essential power to the country’s four nuclear power stations, forcing all four of them into high-risk mitigation procedures, but renewable energy and other forms of power generation have been affected widely too. 

An extremely bitter winter for Ukraine

Russia’s widespread and intentional destruction of Ukraine’s electricity installations means that the national power company, Ukrenergo, cannot meet 50% of demand as things stand. Another power supplier, Yasno, says Ukrainians are likely to face power cuts until March.

Already, some six million people have been left without electricity, according to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. To clarify, this means millions are without adequate heating, just as temperatures fall below zero in many parts of Ukraine.

A top Ukrainian official recently stated that Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure amount to genocide, adding that strikes on key facilities targeted “the full Ukrainian nation” and were an effort to force Kyiv to surrender. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The term genocide refers to an effort to wipe out a group of people. Russia denies having any such aim, but tens of thousands of people across Ukraine are at real risk of freezing to death this winter.