Energy — 2026-11-14

Zelensky Slams Officials Over Days-Long Blackouts as DTEK Warns Russia Intensifying Attacks on Energy Infrastructure

BLUFUkrenergo will very likely announce scheduled or emergency power outages affecting at least 10 oblasts on at least one day between November 15 and 28, as repeated Russian strikes are degrading grid capacity faster than crews can restore it ahead of winter peak demand.

On November 13, Zelensky held a conference call with officials and said residents of Bila Tserkva and Brovary went several days without power while field reports gave different information, adding that "problems must be solved, not concealed" 12. He also received reports on Konotop and Shostka, where people need assistance 1. Ukrenergo said Russian strikes left consumers in 12 oblasts without power on November 13 and scheduled all-day outages for parts of the country 3. Euromaidan Press reported Zelensky saying Russia has hit Ukrainian energy facilities more than 310 times since the start of November 3. DTEK reported 10 of its facilities damaged in Kyiv region in the past week, and Kyiv Post said DTEK chief executive Maxim Timchenko warned of far greater damage this winter 12.

Analysis
The strike wave the November 6 edition warned of has arrived, and Zelensky's public rebuke shows local reporting understated how long outages lasted, which could delay crews and generators reaching affected districts. Repeat strikes are destroying equipment before repairs finish, leaving the grid little slack. Ukrenergo will very likely announce scheduled or emergency outages affecting consumers in at least 10 oblasts on at least one day between November 15 and November 28, 2026. Confidence is moderate because outlets consistently report the same Ukrenergo, DTEK and presidential statements, though they draw on shared sources rather than independent collection, and Russian targeting choices are unobservable in open sources. Zelensky's criticism may instead aim mainly at shifting domestic blame and pressing local administrations before winter, and outages could ease if repairs and air defense hold. Kyiv-region and Dnipro-area utilities face the most immediate risk of prolonged cuts as temperatures fall. Regional administrations, utilities and aid providers should keep generators, heating points and repair crews at high readiness, shifting resources to the worst-hit oblasts only if outages recede.

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