Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian power plants and electricity networks overnight on February 7, triggering rolling blackouts and renewing pressure on a grid already battered by weeks of attacks, Ukrainian authorities said.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the government has instituted emergency nationwide power shutdowns of the electricity grid across the country.
Kyiv also requested emergency assistance from Poland after Russia hit the Burshtynska and Dobrotvirska power plants in western Ukraine overnight.
"Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine's energy facilities. The attack continues," Shmyhal said in a statement posted on Telegram. "Energy workers are ready to start repair works as soon as the security situation allows."
The latest large-scale attack on the country’s electricity grid comes amid weeks of Russian strikes that have already left parts of the country, particularly the capital, Kyiv, without power, heat, and in some cases, even running water as temperatures have at times plunged below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The sustained strikes are also taking place against the backdrop of diplomacy aimed at ending the nearly four-year full-scale war in Ukraine.
In remarks to reporters released by his office on February 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the United States had proposed a new round of talks between Kyiv and Moscow that will take place in Miami in a week -- and that Ukraine had agreed to the meeting.
"The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war before the start of this summer, and will likely pressure the parties to adhere to this schedule," Zelenskyy said. "The [US midterm Congressional] elections are definitely more important to them. Let's not be naive. And they say they want to get everything done by June."
Kyiv and Moscow concluded two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi this week without a major breakthrough, but agreed to a large prisoner swap.
Speaking to reporters on February 6, US President Donald Trump said that ongoing talks could lead to progress.
“Very, very good talks today, having to do with Russia-Ukraine,” Trump said. “Something could be happening.”
The Kremlin said earlier that a third round of peace talks should take place "soon," although no date has yet been announced.
A Barrage Against Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure
Ukrainian nuclear power plants reduced output following the overnight strikes, which affected electrical substations and disconnected some power lines, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in an X post on February 7.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian attack involved missiles and drones targeting key population centers across central and western Ukraine.
Power Struggle: Russia's Belgorod Goes Dark As Ukraine Shows Kyiv Heating Plant Damage
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the strikes on the energy sector are part of a broader campaign by Moscow intended to deprive civilians of heating amid freezing winter temperatures.
Two airports in eastern Poland temporarily suspended operations as a precaution due to the Russian strikes on nearby Ukrainian territory, Polish authorities said on February 7.
“In connection with the need to ensure the possibility of the free operation of military aviation, the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin have temporarily suspended flight operations,” the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency posted on X.
Kyiv has been hit particularly hard amid the sustained Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. More than 1,110 apartment blocks remained without heat in the aftermath of an assault on the Ukrainian capital last week.
Zelenskyy earlier called for faster action in boosting air defenses and repairing damage, saying that personnel changes would be made in areas where air defenses had not performed effectively.
“The small-scale air defense component, specifically countering attack drones, must work more efficiently and prevent the problems that exist,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on February 6.
