Recent Russian attacks have severely impacted Odessa, a key port city in Ukraine, leaving approximately 35,000 homes without electricity, reported by the local energy provider DTEK. The strikes, which occurred over the past night, have exacerbated the challenges faced by the residents, plunging them into darkness amid harsh winter temperatures.

In a statement, the local authorities confirmed the damage to both an infrastructure facility and a residential building, which resulted in injuries to two individuals. The power company has indicated significant damages to the electrical grid, suggesting that restoring power would take time.

The persistent targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russian forces has been a continual strategy, affecting not only Odessa but also other major Ukrainian cities. The capital, Kyiv, and Dnipro, the fourth-largest city, have also experienced similar power disruptions.

With the ongoing electricity outage, many residents are also without heating and hot water services. The current cold snap has seen temperatures plummet to as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius, placing immense strain on millions throughout the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has described these recurrent attacks on infrastructure as Russia’s primary tactic in the conflict.

Meanwhile, the effects of the conflict are also felt in Russia, where the governor of Belgorod Oblast reported that a Ukrainian counterstrike had left around 600,000 people without electricity in recent days.