The lights are being turned off longer: “Ukrenergo warns of weeks of restoration, experts warn of risks
8 December 2025 13:14
ANALYSIS
This week, Ukrainians are facing the longest power outages since the beginning of autumn: in many regions, the power is cut off for up to 14-16 hours, and in Zakarpattia – up to 15 hours a day. Experts explain why Russia is targeting large energy facilities and why the strikes are concentrated in the west of the country, where most of the strategic generation is located. But the most important question for everyone is whether Ukraine is facing a multi-day blackout like two years ago
After another large-scale attack by Russia on the power system, the situation with blackouts in Ukraine has deteriorated sharply. According to Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, it will take weeks to stabilize the power grid this time.
“As of today, the power should have been turned off for up to 8 hours. However, due to the power grid strikes, the duration of outages has increased to 12-16 hours in most regions,” said Zaichenko.
The most difficult situation is recorded in the western regions of the country.
Up to 15 hours without electricity
on December 8, Zakarpattia will experience long power outages of up to 15 hours a day. Power engineers explain that these are forced restrictions following missile and drone attacks that have severely damaged the infrastructure. The schedules are applied at the direction of the dispatcher of NPC Ukrenergo.
Meanwhile, in Rivne region, hourly blackouts are in effect on December 8, which can last up to 14 hours. “Rivneoblenergo has published an indicative schedule for the outages, emphasizing that it can be adjusted depending on the state of the power system.
Is a multi-day blackout possible?
Energy expert Sergiy Dyachenko in a commentary
According to him, a large-scale long-term blackout is unlikely, primarily due to the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
“I think there will be no blackout. Our nuclear generation is working. Russia is trying to disable transmission systems and nuclear-related infrastructure, but the power industry has learned to quickly repair these damages,” Dyachenko said.
According to him, after the last strike, problems arose with the power supply and cooling systems, which partially reduced the power output. However, such situations are not new, and experts resume work quite quickly.
“As long as the nuclear power plant is operating, Ukraine will have electricity. I don’t think it will come to a full-fledged blackout for several days, as in 2022-2023,” the expert emphasized.
He emphasizes that short emergency shutdowns are not blackouts, but a normal reaction of the system to shortages and damage.
Russia strikes at large energy facilities
Russian troops continue to target large energy facilities located far from the front line. This was stated by Andriy Gerus, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, during a telethon.
According to him, the Russians are focusing on large power plants, as attacks on small or medium-sized facilities have little or no noticeable effect on the entire energy system.
“The damage to small generating stations with a capacity of 1-10 MW has a relatively small impact. If the facility is located at least 100 kilometers from the front, it is primarily large facilities that are shelled,” explained Gerus.
He added that the risks of strikes on small facilities are “quite low, even minimal” if they are not located near the fighting.
Commenting on the situation, energy expert Serhiy Dyachenko noted that the logic of Russian strikes remains the same – to create maximum problems in the most consuming regions of the country.
“This is an old tactic. Our west is energy-surplus, while the center and north, in particular Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, are energy-deficient. That is why they are hitting the west to create problems with electricity in Kyiv and the region,” emphasized Dyachenko.
According to the expert, it is in the west that the key generation facilities are located – most nuclear power plants and a significant part of large thermal power plants.
“Nuclear power is now almost all in the West, and large thermal power plants are still operating. This is what we are counting on,” explained Dyachenko.
Despite the serious damage and extended outage schedules, power engineers assure that a complete long-term blackout should not be expected. The key role of nuclear generation, the ability of the system to recover quickly and the prompt work of repair teams allow us to maintain the energy balance even under constant attacks.
However, the situation remains tense, and every Ukrainian needs to be patient, conserve energy and be ready for temporary restrictions while the power industry repairs the damaged infrastructure.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
