Not a single Ukrainian power plant has escaped Russian strikes during the full-scale war, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Verkhovna Rada on 16 January, with daily strikes knocking out "thousands of megawatts" of generation capacity.
Russia launched 612 targeted combined attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in 2025 alone, Shmyhal said, according to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones in what he called "energy terror."
Grid holds despite daily barrages
Despite the relentless attacks, Shmyhal says Ukraine's energy system remains intact, though operating under severe strain.
The situation is most critical in Kyiv and its surrounding oblast, as well as in Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and frontline regions. Emergency power cuts continue across the country, affecting households, industry, and businesses.
"Russia is betting it can break us through energy terror. We understand the seriousness of the challenges. We are responding to current threats quickly and effectively," Shmyhal said.
Distributed generation triples
Ukraine has rapidly expanded distributed generation capacity - small-scale power sources spread across the country rather than concentrated in large, vulnerable plants. Shmyhal reported 762 MW of new distributed capacity came online in 2025, more than triple the 225 MW added in 2024.
Kyiv Oblast, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy, and Kharkiv Oblasts lead adoption, while the capital city lags - directly contributing to its acute power shortages.
Suspilne reports that over 250 cogeneration units are now operational, with another 200 in various stages of implementation. Some 187 modular boiler units have also been installed.
More than 15,000 energy workers are engaged in repair operations, with tens of thousands more - emergency responders, utility workers, and police - working around the clock to restore power and heat.
Third winter of energy terror
Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure each winter since 2022, with the current campaign proving the most intense yet. A massive strike on 9 January left nearly 6,000 Kyiv high-rises without heat. Temperatures have since dropped to -15°C, and attacks have continued daily.
Hundreds of buildings remain without heating a week later, and residents in some districts receive as little as three hours of electricity per day. Energy experts warn the crisis could last until spring.
Ukraine is increasing electricity imports from the EU and working with international partners to secure additional generators, battery storage, and transformers.
