Ukraine Blackout Fears: 80% of Businesses Pre-Stock Generators as Energy Crisis Intensifies

Russia has dramatically stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid this autumn. On the night of Oct 21, Russian drones and missiles hit power lines and substations across northern Ukraine, especially near the border. According to Amnesty International and media reports, these strikes “cut power to nearly 280,000 people in Chernihiv and thousands in Kharkiv” ground.news. Kyiv’s energy ministry confirmed 380,000 customers were still disconnected the following day after waves of drone/missile attacks on Oct 10 and 21 reuters.com reuters.com. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the assault was deliberate, noting Russia “waited for bad weather” to launch the strikes and reduce Ukraine’s air-defence effectiveness by “20-30%” reuters.com. He urged Western allies to speed delivery of promised air-defence systems to protect critical infrastructure.