Russia strikes 28 critical energy facilities across Ukraine in latest wave of attacks, Zelensky says

Russian forces struck 28 critical energy facilities across Ukraine on Oct. 19, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks targeted substations and other infrastructure in 11 oblasts, leaving at least 550,000 households without power overnight. First Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov reported that additional power outages occurred in four more oblasts.

One energy worker sustained injuries during an attack on a facility in Vinnytsia Oblast. Repair crews are working to restore electricity, but the timeline is hindered by prolonged air raid alerts and the threat of further Russian strikes. Russian forces launched 16 ballistic missiles and over 200 drones in multiple waves during the assault, which Zelensky characterized as a "targeted attack on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast."

Ukraine has not received advance warnings about these strikes from its allies. Since July 16, Russia has conducted 2,147 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, as reported by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi. The attacks have exposed a critical shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles, essential for defending against Russian ballistic missiles.

Koretskyi also announced plans to increase production and procurement of anti-drone turrets, which have shown effectiveness against Russian Shahed-type attack drones.