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Russian forces struck an energy facility in Odesa region overnight on 4 December, causing major damage and leaving 51,800 customers without electricity, according to DTEK and the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy.
DTEK reported that the targeted facility sustained “significant” damage. Around 9,500 households were rerouted to backup supply schemes, while 51,800 consumers remain without power. Repair crews are working in reinforced mode, but the company warned that restoration will take time.
The Ministry of Energy said that, as of the morning, more than 60,000 consumers in Donetsk region, over 51,000 in Odesa region, and 1,600 in Dnipropetrovsk region were without electricity due to ongoing attacks on the power infrastructure. Emergency repair work is underway.
Throughout 4 December, all regions of Ukraine are operating under hourly power outage schedules and consumption limits for businesses and industrial consumers. Authorities are urging Ukrainians to use electricity sparingly, especially during morning and evening peak hours, to ease pressure on the grid.
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system
Russia has been repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the beginning of autumn. According to the Ministry of Energy, all major thermal and hydropower plants have sustained damage.
Ukrenergo chief Vitalii Zaichenko said the most difficult power situation is currently in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions, where Russian forces continue to strike energy facilities.
Russia is also attempting to disrupt electricity supply to Kyiv and the surrounding region. On 29 November, drones and missiles hit power infrastructure there, cutting off electricity to more than 600,000 customers.
Electricity consumption limits remain in force across Ukraine on 4 December, with between half a group and three groups of consumers disconnected at various times during the day.
