Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast has exited emergency blackout protocols and returned to scheduled power outages for the first time since 16 January, energy company DTEK announced on 26 January. Engineers managed to stabilize electricity supply in Ukraine's capital region after nearly two weeks of unpredictable blackouts caused by Russian drone and missile strikes on energy infrastructure. The situation remains fragile, with most consumers receiving only 3.5 to 4.5 hours of electricity daily as repair work continues.
Scheduled outages resume after days of chaos
DTEK, which provides electricity distribution services in Kyiv Oblast, published outage timetables on Monday after a prolonged period when no schedules could be released due to grid instability. The company warned that the situation remains difficult and could change rapidly.
"Energy crews managed to stabilize the electricity supply situation in Kyiv Oblast," DTEK wrote in a Telegram post, urging residents to subscribe to its channel for updates.
The energy company asked residents to avoid turning on high-power appliances during the first 30 minutes after electricity returns. Using devices one at a time rather than simultaneously will help prevent circuit overloads and repeated outages, according to the guidance. These precautions reflect just how fragile the regional grid remains despite the stabilization announcement.
Temperature rise may have eased pressure on damaged grid
Several massive Russian air attacks caused prolonged blackouts, disrupted running water service, and cut heating supplies while temperatures held at –15°C. Recently, temperatures have since risen by at least 10 degrees, which may have contributed to stabilization by reducing energy consumption for heating. DTEK and other energy companies continue working to restore full power supply across the region.
One of the worst weeks since 2022 blackout
The latest combined Russian strikes on 20 and 24 January made last week one of the most difficult periods for Ukraine's energy system since the nationwide blackout in November 2022, Prime Minister Yulia Svyridenko said earlier. That 2022 incident left most of the country without power after massive Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The current crisis, while severe, has been concentrated primarily in Kyiv Oblast rather than affecting the entire national grid.
