The national energy grid operator confirmed that the restrictions were necessary due to damage caused by Russian strikes on energy facilities. Industrial consumers were prioritized for restrictions, while residential outages were being implemented only when necessary.

Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state-owned electricity transmission operator, has introduced emergency power outages in some regions of Ukraine due to Russian attacks on energy facilities. Source: Ukrenergo on Telegram Quote: "Emergency power outages have been introduced in some regions of Ukraine.

The State Department ended its financial support for restoring Ukraine’s energy grid, which could make the country more vulnerable to Russian attacks. This week, the department terminated a U.S. Agency for International Development initiative that had been investing millions into Ukraine’s energy grid to defend it from attacks by the Russian military.

Russian forces late Thursday launched mass strikes on energy targets in Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine. The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said air defences were heavily engaged in repelling the attacks and emergency services were on site.