Russian strikes leave 600,000 without power in Ukraine, as Starlink restrictions affect front line

Russian Strikes Leave 600,000 Without Power in Ukraine

Ninoda.com – Russian strikes leave 600 000 without power after overnight missile and drone attacks damaged energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv and in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 600,000 people lost electricity.

Officials said three people were killed in Kyiv, where emergency services responded after a second consecutive night of missile attacks. The strikes came despite US President Donald Trump saying Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire”.

Russia’s defence ministry described the operation as massive, saying it targeted communications systems and energy facilities used by Ukraine’s military. Ukrainian authorities say civilian electricity supplies continue to face sustained pressure from Russian attacks.

Ukraine’s energy system faces renewed damage

The latest Russian strikes leave 600 000 without electricity, illustrating the vulnerability of Ukraine’s power network during the war. Damage to major facilities can disrupt homes, businesses, transport and essential public services far from the immediate strike zones.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and 128 drones overnight. It reported intercepting four missiles and 115 drones. Ballistic missiles hit targets in Kyiv during the previous two nights before warning sirens could sound, leaving residents with little time to take shelter.

Ukraine relies on US satellite systems to help detect missile launches, issue alerts and support interception efforts. Zelensky said Washington had threatened to limit intelligence sharing unless he accepted Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire, although Trump denied that the United States was withholding intelligence.

Reported Starlink limits affect frontline operations

Ukrainian officials also reported new restrictions affecting Starlink terminals. Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Zelensky, said SpaceX had introduced an overnight speed restriction on the satellite communications network.

“It is clear that this action cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation,” Beskrestnov wrote.

He said Ukrainian forces had not received advance warning and that the restriction, set at 100mph or 160km/h, had already interrupted several missions. In a later message, he said Starlink remained the most effective system for helping interceptors engage Russia’s newer jet-propelled drones.

A Ukrainian defence ministry source said the restrictions appeared when Starlink connectivity was used above 160km/h, though the precise threshold was still being checked. The source said the issue was complicating logistics, unmanned systems and middle-strike missions. SpaceX had not publicly commented on the reported limits.

Energy ceasefire claim faces an immediate test

Trump announced the proposed energy ceasefire in a social-media post on Sunday, saying it would take effect immediately and that both sides had agreed to it. Zelensky has said Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy sites if Moscow also stops striking Ukrainian facilities.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine did not deserve the relief a ceasefire would bring. He argued that a pause could allow European countries to supply Ukraine with more weapons. As Russian strikes leave 600 000 without power, the claimed agreement is facing immediate pressure.

Ukraine war power cuts: practical questions

What should residents do during a power outage? Residents should follow local emergency-service instructions, keep phones charged where possible, use official channels for air-raid alerts and avoid approaching damaged power equipment or strike sites.

Why do strikes on energy facilities affect so many people? Large energy facilities serve extensive areas. When they are damaged, electricity disruptions can affect households, hospitals, transport, communications and businesses beyond the city where the attack occurred.

Why is Starlink important to Ukraine? The satellite network provides internet connectivity used for military communications, coordination and drone operations, particularly where conventional communications infrastructure is limited or damaged.