analysis
Attacks on the energy sector:Russia wants to break the morale of the Ukrainian population
by Christian Mölling and András Rácz
Russia deliberately attacked Ukrainian energy facilities to cut off heating and electricity to the population in winter. The goal is to discourage.
Several regions in Ukraine are without electricity after Russian attacks on infrastructure and civilians. The attack in Dnipro left at least three people dead.
November 9, 2025 | 0:18 min
Over the week, Russia has increasingly intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, especially energy facilities. Not only Ukrainian officials and experts, but also Russian officials emphasized that the aim of this attack was to deprive the Ukrainian population of heating and electricity in the coming winter, thereby breaking their spirit.
The attacks, especially in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions, were so severe that in addition to the power grid, cell phone towers were also badly damaged.
Three thermal power plants were damaged in Ukraine and there was a power outage in Kharkiv. Russia’s strategy seems clear: spread fear, according to ZDF reporter Anne Brühl.
November 8, 2025 | 2:11 min
Russia: The main focus is on the power grid
On the night of November 7-8, Russia attacked substations connected to the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants. The goal is likely to disconnect the power plant from the power grid, similar to what Russia did last year.
In addition, three large combined thermal power plants belonging to the Tsentrenergo company were also affected. The Trypilska, Zmiiv and Vuhlehirsk power plants were disconnected from the power grid, resulting in a critical electricity deficit.
Russia also continued attacks on key railway infrastructure. In Hrebinka, an important railway junction on the Kyiv-Poltava route was affected.
… is a senior advisor at the European Policy Center. He has researched and published on the topics of security and defense, weapons and technology, stabilization and crisis management for more than 20 years. He regularly analyzes military developments in the Ukrainian conflict for ZDFheute.
… is an Associate Fellow at the Security and Defense Program of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin. He researches and publishes on armed forces in Eastern Europe and Russia as well as hybrid warfare.
Ukrainians in Pokrovsk are threatened with siege
The situation on the battlefields around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad became critical as the Russian siege continued to develop. The Ukrainian special forces’ counterattack did not bring significant results.
Four exhausted Ukrainian brigades are still fighting in the destroyed towns, which are increasingly at risk of being encircled. Resupply had become nearly impossible and evacuating wounded soldiers was more difficult than ever. There is intense discussion in Ukraine about why the General Staff has still not ordered a withdrawal to prevent encirclement of these units.
In the northern part of the Kharkiv region, after more than a year and a half of stalemate, the Russians managed to advance on the city of Volchansk and reach the southern edge of the destroyed settlement.
Russia is sweeping through Ukraine with a massive wave of attacks, which are also impacting civilians. Many injured people are treated every day in the largest military hospital in Dnipro.
November 8, 2025 | 2:47 min
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure
Ukraine continues its campaign of deep attacks against Russia, attacking both military and civilian oil and energy targets.
On the evening of November 2, Ukrainian drones again attacked the Russian oil port of Tuapse. Four tankers were damaged, a small ship sank and the terminal itself suffered extensive damage. As a result of the attack, the terminal was forced to stop operations.
On November 6 and 7, Ukrainian drones attacked a large ammunition depot in occupied Donetsk. Not only artillery ammunition, but also Geran attack drones are said to be stored there. Explosions and flames were visible throughout the night.
On the night of November 7 to 8, the Belgorod thermal power plant was hit, causing a power outage in much of the city. Ukraine also attacked several oil depots and refineries in western Russia and anti-aircraft missile launchers in the occupied region of Crimea.
You can find the latest reports on Russia’s attack on Ukraine at any time on our live blog:
Russia attacks Ukraine
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Since February 2022, Russia has launched a war of aggression against Ukraine. Kyiv has launched a counteroffensive and fighting continues. News and background information on the ticker.
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