Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russian forces targeted Kharkiv, one of Ukraine’s largest cities, with guided bombs on Monday, cutting power to 30,000 customers across three districts, according to local officials.
Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russian forces deployed guided bombs in attacks on the Nemyshlianskyi and Slobidskyi districts in the southeast, as well as the Shevchenkivskyi district in the north of the city.
What damage did the russian strikes cause to Kharkiv?
Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that three bombs damaged a hospital and power transmission lines. Nearly 30,000 customers experienced power outages. He mentioned four injuries, primarily from flying glass, and that some patients were moved to different wards.
“Unfortunately, the hospital was quite badly damaged, and there were patients inside. Four people were injured to various degrees, and about 200 windows were smashed,”
Terekhov stated.
“Attacks are generally on energy targets – generation, transmission, the power network. The aim is to have the power transmission network stop working.”
Are Russian forces intensifying strikes on Ukrainian energy systems?
In recent weeks, Russian forces have focused their attacks on Ukraine’s electricity grid and gas industry targets as winter nears in the ongoing conflict that has lasted over three and a half years.
The mass attack on Kyiv and other centres last week caused over a million households and businesses nationwide to lose power temporarily. Water supplies were also affected and disrupted.
Since September 2025, Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure – with over 450 drones and more than 30 missiles – in a “massive attack”. These assaults provoked significant power outages in Kyiv and in multiple other areas, including Brovary, Boryspil, and Poltava, resulting in thousands of homes and businesses being without electrical and heating power.
What has been Kharkiv’s experience since the invasion began?
Kharkiv has suffered from numerous major attacks from Russia since the war began in February 2022, because of its location near the border of Russia and its strategic importance. On June 6 – 7, 2025, Kharkiv faced one of the strongest attacks from Russia since the full-scale invasion and war expanded in 2022.
Overnight, Russian forces launched an air campaign of 215 projectiles, including 206 combat drones, glide bombs, and ballistic missiles. The offensive had targeted different areas of Kharkiv in the bombardment, leaving at least five civilians dead and more than 20 injured, including children.
