More Than Half a Million Lose Power in Russia–Ukraine Exchange of Strikes

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1303 EAT on Thursday 26 March 2026

Tit-for-tat attacks between Russia and Ukraine on energy facilities have left hundreds of thousands without electricity, according to officials, even as international attention turns to the US–Israel conflict with Iran.

Close to half a million residents in Russia’s Belgorod region were affected, while about 150,000 consumers in Chernihiv and surrounding areas in Ukraine were without power on Wednesday.

Ukraine’s electricity distribution company in the northern Chernihiv region said on Wednesday that an energy facility had been damaged and repair work would begin as soon as the security situation allowed.

In Russia’s Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that power outages affected around 450,000 people across several districts, including the regional capital of Belgorod. Many residents also faced disruptions to heating and water supply, with temperatures hovering around 0°C (32°F).

Gladkov said repair work has already begun but is expected to take several days to complete. Belgorod, located about 40 km (25 miles) from the Ukrainian border, has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian drone and missile strikes since Russia’s invasion four years ago.

In Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, Russian attacks late Tuesday killed one person and injured another, according to emergency services. The strike damaged a private house, started a fire, and affected six nearby buildings. Photos shared on Telegram by emergency services showed firefighters extinguishing flames in a partially destroyed structure.

In Russia, officials said on Wednesday that a Ukrainian drone strike targeting a major oil export hub sparked a fire at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga.

Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Leningrad region, said the blaze was being brought under control and that no casualties had been reported.

Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and export routes in recent weeks in an effort to weaken Russia’s war economy.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said 389 Ukrainian drones were shot down across the country overnight, including over the Moscow region.

Separately, Latvia, a NATO member, reported that a drone from neighbouring Russia had crashed in its territory.

Analysts warn that any Russian strike or miscalculation involving a NATO member could prompt allies to invoke the mutual defence clause under Article 5.

-Aljazeera

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