Russian attacks caused widespread blackouts in Ukraine's southeastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia, the country's energy ministry reported Wednesday night. The attacks left the regions almost entirely without power, disrupting critical infrastructure, water supplies, and internet access.

According to a statement released on Telegram by the energy ministry, critical infrastructure was operating on reserve power. Officials stated that Russia has recently intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with the apparent goal of crippling power supplies during the winter months.

"Ukraine's energy system is under enemy attacks every day, and energy workers are operating in extremely difficult conditions to provide people with light and heat," wrote Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Telegram. She added that deteriorating weather conditions were placing additional strain on critical infrastructure.

The power and heating disruptions occurred as temperatures plunged, exacerbating the situation for residents. State energy company Ukrenergo stated on Telegram that "emergency restoration work in the regions affected by the attack will begin immediately as soon as the security situation allows."

These attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are part of a broader pattern of Russian military actions targeting civilian infrastructure. Such attacks have been widely condemned by international organizations and governments as potential war crimes. The deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure during winter raises concerns about the humanitarian impact on the civilian population, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

The ongoing conflict has significantly impacted Ukraine's energy sector, requiring constant repairs and adaptations to maintain power supplies. The resilience of Ukrainian energy workers in the face of these challenges has been noted by both domestic and international observers. The situation highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in modern warfare and the potential for such attacks to have far-reaching consequences.

As of Thursday morning, Ukrenergo crews were assessing the damage and preparing to begin repairs as soon as it was safe to do so. The timeline for restoring full power to the affected regions remains uncertain, depending on the extent of the damage and the security situation. The Ukrainian government is working to provide emergency assistance to residents affected by the blackouts, including providing generators and alternative heating sources.