Ukraine plunges into 12-hour darkness, energy system ‘on its knees’ as Russia unleashes winter fury

Ukraine is entering its darkest winter yet. Russia has unleashed more than 2,000 drones and over 150 missiles in just six weeks, striking power plants, substations and gas networks with relentless precision. Kyiv has warned of 12-hour blackouts, entire regions have gone dark, and repair crews are being hit even as they rush to fix the grid. Donetsk Oblast already suffered a total outage, while Kyiv’s energy lifeline has been pushed to the brink. As temperatures plunge and another wave of strikes looms, the question is no longer if the grid will survive — but for how long.