Russian attacks forced the Kherson combined heat and power plant to shut down, cutting heat to more than 40,000 customers, according to regional authorities.
Russia has intensified strikes on energy infrastructure across the country as temperatures fall, increasing the risk of a humanitarian crisis. Kherson is already one of the hardest places to live in Ukraine, hit by routine shelling and drone attacks that make basic services unstable.
Drones and artillery pound heat plant until it shuts down
Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the plant was hit by drones, artillery, and other weapons, causing damage that made further operation unsafe.
Local officials reported that 470 buildings were affected. Many residents lost heating as temperatures continue to drop. Prokudin said he is calling an urgent meeting to coordinate a response and assess short-term options.
International partners asked to send electric heaters
Regional services are reviewing alternative heating methods for homes that depended on the plant. Talks with international partners are underway to secure electric heaters and other basic equipment to help residents manage cold weather.
“Points of Invincibility” across the city remain open, offering a public place to warm up, charge devices, and contact relatives.
Liberated but far from safe: Kherson lives under daily bombardment
Kherson was liberated from Russian occupation in November 2022 but remains within range of Russian forces stationed on the left bank of the Dnipro River. The city is shelled almost daily, with attacks hitting residential districts, rescue crews, and critical infrastructure.
Russian forces use drones to hunt and attack civilians directly in what locals describe as “human safaris.” The proximity to Russian positions leaves Kherson exposed to sustained attacks, making it one of the most dangerous places in Ukraine for civilians.
