A series of Ukrainian drone strikes has triggered a major power outage, plunging vast areas of the Moscow region into darkness and leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity or mobile signal in the dead of winter.
Widespread Blackout and Conflicting Claims
Footage from the Russian capital showed entire tower blocks and streets without light following the widespread failure. The Russian power company PAO Rosseti stated that over 100,000 residents in the districts of Ramensky, Zhukovsky, and Lytkarino were affected. However, Iuliia Mendel, former press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported a far higher figure, claiming on social media that over 600,000 people were plunged into darkness for more than four hours.
Russian authorities claimed the outage was caused by an automatic shutdown at a high-voltage electricity substation, but did not clarify if this was linked to the aerial attacks. The incident coincided with a significant drone assault on the capital.
Drone Assault on the Capital
Russia’s defence ministry said its air defence units destroyed 27 Ukrainian drones in a three-hour period starting at 8pm local time, with three over the Moscow region. Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, stated on Telegram that 21 drones were downed during the day, with one civilian reported injured.
Social media reports described a large swarm of drones heading for Moscow, and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed several unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted. Some reports indicated the attacks forced local airports to suspend operations.
Winter Crisis and Escalating Tensions
The strikes occurred as thick snow covered the frigid streets, exacerbating the crisis for those left without power and heat. Video emerged showing large trucks hauling mobile generators into darkened districts of the capital in an effort to restore supply.
The reported attacks came a day after Russia, without providing evidence, accused Ukraine of trying to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence—a claim Kyiv dismissed as baseless. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Kyiv and Washington were discussing potential US security guarantees, and expressed his willingness to meet with Putin despite a deep lack of trust.
This incident is reported to be the first time parts of Moscow have lost power as a direct result of a Ukrainian strike, marking a significant escalation in the nearly four-year-long conflict.
