Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Russia's Heavy Missile and Drone Barrage Hits Ukraine's Energy Grid
Russia attacked Ukraine with many missiles and drones overnight.
Ukrainian officials said seven people died, including one child, and 24 people were hurt.
The attacks hit power facilities around Kyiv and other regions.
Emergency power cuts were imposed in Kyiv and three nearby regions.
Some public transport stopped, and water pressure fell in parts of the capital.
Ukraine said it stopped most of the drones but that some fast drones and ballistic missiles were difficult to intercept.
Ukrainian leaders are worried that repeated attacks could make the coming winter colder and harder for people.
Russia said it hit power plants and other energy-related facilities.
Russia denies targeting civilians, while Ukraine says the attacks are putting pressure on ordinary people.
Russian missiles and drones killed seven people, including a child, and wounded 24 across Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said.
The overnight barrage targeted energy infrastructure around Kyiv and other regions, causing emergency power cuts and disrupting transport and water pressure.
Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 254 of 285 drones, including 174 faster jet-propelled models, while Russia also launched ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian officials warned the attacks could turn winter cold, darkness and disrupted services into weapons as air-defense supplies remain limited.
Russia said it struck power plants and other energy facilities, while Ukraine said the attacks damaged critical infrastructure and civilian areas.
- Who
- Russian forces attacked Ukraine; Ukrainian officials, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s Defense Ministry described the casualties, damage and targets.
- What
- A large missile and drone barrage killed seven people, wounded 24 and damaged energy infrastructure, causing emergency power cuts.
- When
- The attacks occurred overnight and continued into Wednesday, September 30, after days of intensifying drone strikes.
- Where
- Kyiv and surrounding regions were the main focus, while critical infrastructure in five Ukrainian regions was attacked and damage was reported in five others.
- Why
- Ukrainian officials said Russia was pressuring civilians and preparing a winter campaign against energy services; Russia said it struck energy and industrial infrastructure.
Ukrainian Account
Russian Account
Purpose of the attacks
Ukrainian Account
Ukrainian officials said Russia was deliberately pressuring civilians and trying to turn winter cold, darkness and disrupted services into weapons.
Russian Account
Russia’s Defense Ministry described strikes on power plants, energy facilities and infrastructure, while Russia denies targeting civilians.
Civilian and infrastructure impact
Ukrainian Account
Ukraine reported seven deaths, including a child, 24 wounded, power cuts, transport disruptions and reduced water pressure.
Russian Account
Russia said its forces struck specified energy and industrial targets, including power plants and an industrial complex, without acknowledging the reported civilian impact.
Air-defense needs
Ukrainian Account
Ukraine said ballistic missiles and fast jet-propelled drones are difficult to intercept and requested more air-defense support, including Patriot missiles.
Russian Account
The Russian account cited in the reports did not address Ukraine’s air-defense shortages or its request for additional systems.
- Deaths
- Seven people were killed across Ukraine, including a child, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Wounded
- Twenty-four people were wounded, according to Ukrainian officials.
- Power cuts
- Ukrenergo imposed emergency power cuts in Kyiv and three surrounding regions, the first such measure in the capital since spring.
- Drone interception
- Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 254 of 285 Russian drones deployed by early evening.
- Drone types
- The air force said 174 of the drones were high-flying, faster jet-propelled models.
- Infrastructure impact
- Power facilities were damaged, trams and trolley buses stopped, and water pressure was reduced in Kyiv.
- Russian account
- Russia said it struck a hydroelectric plant, a thermal power plant, an electrical substation, an energy storage facility and a data center.
