Ukraine deals with widespread power outages and battles freezing temperatures

Extensive power outages affected several regions of Ukraine on Saturday, including the capital Kiev, as well as parts of neighboring Moldova.

According to Ukrainian authorities, they were caused by a technical failure in high-voltage power lines, not a cyberattack or direct damage as a result of the war. The outages occurred at a time of returning cold weather, when the energy system is under increased pressure.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that the failure affected two key lines—one between Romania and Moldova and the other connecting western and central Ukraine. Subsequently, the substation protection systems were activated and some nuclear power plant units were temporarily disconnected, but continued to operate at reduced capacity.

In Kyiv, the metro stopped, water supplies were interrupted, and traffic lights were not working. A similar situation occurred in Chișinău.

The authorities expect supplies to be gradually restored in the coming hours, with the outage coming just one day after Russia promised not to attack energy infrastructure for the time being.

(reuters, mja)