A massive overnight Russian drone attack triggered blackouts across Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, severely damaging energy infrastructure just as temperatures were forecast to plunge to -20°C, according to Suspilne. The strikes disrupted electricity, water, heat, and mobile services, forcing cities and industries into emergency mode.
Russian forces launched 97 attack drones against Ukraine overnight on 7–8 January, targeting energy infrastructure in several oblasts. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, around 70 drones — mostly Shahed-type — were shot down, while at least 27 hit their targets at 13 different locations. Authorities reported blackouts in two regions in Ukraine's southeast.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko warned on 8 January that worsening weather conditions could lead to further unscheduled power outages. She said a cyclone entering through Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts would bring snowfall and sharp temperature drops. Forecasts predicted nighttime temperatures as low as -20°C and daytime temperatures around -10°C. Snow accumulation on power lines and hazardous road conditions were also expected to complicate recovery and aid efforts.
Blackout in Zaporizhzhia ahead of deep freeze
Suspilne reported that at around 22:00 on 7 January, a massive blackout occurred across Zaporizhzhia city and other towns in the oblast. Electricity was cut throughout the region due to the Russian attacks.
By 10:00, the water supply was functioning normally in the oblast, according to the regional utility company Oblvodokanal.
Zaporizhstal, one of Ukraine’s largest steel plants, was forced to shut down all production due to the loss of external power. The plant noted that the shutdown occurred without incident and that technical maintenance work was ongoing to prepare for a phased and safe restart once power is restored. This marks the second shutdown of the plant in just over two weeks — the previous one occurred after a missile and drone attack on 23 December.
Dnipro faces widespread outages and service disruption
In Dnipropetrovsk oblast, the blackout has been more prolonged. DTEK energy company reported emergency outages around 22:50 on 7 January following the Russian drone attack and said repairs would begin after air raid alerts ended. The Ministry of Energy confirmed at 23:22 that Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts had been almost entirely cut off from power.
In Samar, Mayor Serhii Reznik said the blackout was caused by a drone strike on a thermal power plant in Dnipro. The city had no power in several neighborhoods, and centralized heating was shut off on the right bank.
As of noon on 8 January, most of Dnipropetrovsk oblast remained without electricity. The local power distributor CEC confirmed its equipment was intact and ready to resume distribution once the external supply was restored.
The blackout also affected ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, another major Ukrainian steel producer. The company stated it had to suspend part of its production due to the power failure. It noted the shutdown was conducted safely and according to internal protocols, and efforts were underway to resume normal operations.
