On the night of 2 November, Russian forces launched a large-scale combined attack on Ukraine, using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as attack drones. Energy infrastructure facilities in several regions were the main targets. Monitoring channels report that nearly 70 missiles of various types were used. In Kharkiv, the supply of heating and hot water has been partially suspended, whilst DTEK has confirmed significant damage to equipment at its thermal power stations.
- On the night of 3 November, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure using missiles and drones.
- DTEK has confirmed that equipment at its thermal power stations has sustained significant damage following Russian strikes.
- Heating and hot water supplies in Kharkiv have been partially suspended due to damage to the infrastructure.
- In Kyiv, parts of the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts have been placed on emergency power cuts.
- Monitoring channels estimate that approximately 68 missiles were fired.
Russia has attacked thermal power stations in several regions
Rocket attack It began during the night with the use of ballistic weapons. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that missiles were heading towards Kryvyi Rih, Zelenodolsk, Ladyzhyn and Haisyn.
According to monitoring channels, the Ladizhyn Thermal Power Station in the Vinnytsia region, the Kryvyi Rih and Prydniprovsk Thermal Power Stations in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and the Zmiiv Thermal Power Station in the Kharkiv region were hit.
Subsequently, Russian forces deployed air-launched cruise missiles fired from strategic bombers Tu-95MS and the Tu-160. There were reports of repeated strikes on individual energy facilities.
According to preliminary estimates, Russia may have used around 17 ballistic and other high-speed missiles, as well as approximately 51 cruise missiles, during the attack. These figures have been reported by monitoring organisations, but there is currently no official confirmation of the total number of missiles launched.
DTEK has confirmed a new attack on its thermal power stations. According to the energy company, the attacks caused significant damage to the stations’ equipment.
This is now the ninth large-scale attack on the company’s thermal power stations since October 2025. In total, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops have attacked DTEK’s thermal power stations more than 220 times. As a result of these strikes, four power station workers were killed and a further 59 were injured.
Heating and hot water have been cut off in Kharkiv; a hospital has been affected
One of the hardest-hit regions was the Kharkiv region. Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with ballistic missiles and guided aerial bombs.
According to a statement from the Kharkiv City Council, the supply of heating and hot water has been partially suspended due to shelling of infrastructure facilities in the city and the region.
The relevant services are working to restore services. Due to unstable voltage in the electricity networks, there have also been disruptions to public transport services, and the underground has warned of possible deviations from the train timetable.
A separate Russian strike took place on a healthcare facility in the Nemyshlyanskyi district Kharkiv. One of the hospital wards has been damaged, as have the windows of four high-rise blocks and ten cars.
According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleg Sinegubov, the number of casualties has risen to 62. 226 patients are being evacuated from the damaged medical facility.
Emergency power cuts have been introduced in Kyiv
The Russian attack also had an impact on the capital’s electricity supply.
DTEK has reported that, due to heavy shelling, parts of the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts of Kyiv have been placed under emergency power cuts.
Hourly power supply schedules remain in force on the right bank. In the event of emergency power cuts, the usual schedule may not apply.
In addition, Russian missiles and drones have attacked energy infrastructure in the Odesa region. According to DTEK, the damage is extensive, and repair teams are working at the sites.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the regional military administration has confirmed strikes on critical infrastructure in Dnipro and the Kryvyi Rih district.
Zelenskyy had warned of a new large-scale attack the day before
On the evening of 2 November, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence had received information that Russia was preparing a large-scale attack, primarily against energy and logistics infrastructure.
«We know from intelligence that Russia is preparing a new large-scale attack on our country, primarily targeting the energy and logistics sectors,» the President said.
According to Zelenskyy, the Russian leadership had counted on international attention being focused on the US mid-term elections on 3 November, whilst the situation in Ukraine and the problems with missile supplies for Patriot will take a back seat.
The President also drew attention to the change in Russia’s tactics regarding attacks on the energy sector. According to him, Russia is attacking not only power generation facilities but also electricity transmission and distribution networks.
Following the night-time attack on 3 November, energy companies confirmed further damage to equipment and the introduction of emergency restrictions. The extent of the damage at individual sites is still being assessed.
