Ukraine war: Fears of total blackout in Kyiv – Millions of citizens without power

The electricity grid operator in Ukraine warned consumers to expect more blackouts in Kyiv and other areas today as it tries to limit pressure on energy infrastructure hit by Russian missile and drone attacks.

Rolling blackouts are becoming increasingly common in the capital of 3 million people, following a wave of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure that have destroyed 40% of energy infrastructure since October 10.

Several of these attacks have taken place during the morning rush hour, but there was no immediate sign of new strikes this morning, despite the president Volodymyr Zelensky said late yesterday that Russia may be preparing new attacks.

“The country’s energy grid cannot return to full operation following the Russian terrorist attacks. In some areas, we were forced to proceed with blackouts to prevent overloading of the high-voltage infrastructure,” said the Ukrenergo grid management company.

The planned shutdown from 06:00 am local time until the end of the day will affect Kyiv and the regions of Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Kharkiv and Poltava, the company said in a statement, as reported by Reuters and the Athens News Agency.

Zelensky stated in his message to Ukrainians overnight that over 4.5 million consumers are without electricity.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has told the city’s residents to be prepared even for the worst-case scenario, in which electricity and water supply to the capital will be cut off completely.