Russia launched a massive combined strike on Ukraine early Thursday, October 30, targeting the country’s energy and civilian infrastructure with a barrage of missiles and drones. The assault, described as one of the most intense in recent months, involved Kinzhal air-launched missiles, ballistic missiles, Kh-101 cruise missiles, and Shahed attack drones. Air defenses were reportedly active across nearly all regions of Ukraine.
In Kyiv, the capital city, drones targeted the area overnight. As of 8:30 a.m., no casualties or significant damage were reported. However, in the nearby city of Boryspil, a 36-year-old woman suffered multiple cuts and burns. Several residential buildings and cars were damaged, and a private house caught fire.
Widespread Impact Across Ukraine
Dnipro faced attacks from ballistic missiles overnight, with 22 drones shot down over the Dnipropetrovsk region. While no casualties were reported, a missile struck a local business without causing injuries. In the Synelnykove district, drones damaged infrastructure and private homes, though residents remained unharmed.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, explosions were heard as cruise missiles targeted the region. Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv confirmed power outages, stating, “There may be power outages! The country’s energy infrastructure is under attack.” A series of explosions was reported in Burshtyn, with the Burshtyn Thermal Power Plant—a strategic junction connecting Ukraine’s power grid with Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia—suffering damage once again.
The Mykolaiv region experienced shelling that caused widespread power outages and disrupted rail services. Ukrzaliznytsia reported passenger train delays but noted that power to household consumers was restored by 1:39 a.m. Russian forces also attacked two energy infrastructure facilities in the Lviv region.
Humanitarian Concerns and Emergency Responses
In the Vinnytsia region, the city of Ladyzhyn was left without heat and water following the overnight strikes. Authorities are preparing to launch alternative heating and water supply systems. “All relevant services have been instructed to eliminate the consequences of the emergency situation,” said Oleksandr Kolomiyets, secretary of the Ladyzhyn City Council.
Temporary water distribution points have been set up, and technical water is being delivered to residents. Kindergartens will remain closed today, while teams assess the damage once the air alert is lifted. “Residents of the most affected buildings will be relocated,” Kolomiyets added, noting that full power restoration is still pending.
Natalya Zabolotna, head of the Vinnytsia OVA, reported that five people were injured in Ladyzhyn, including a 7-year-old child in serious condition. Four adults sustained minor to moderate injuries. Rescue services remain on site, working to extinguish fires, while explosives technicians inspect the affected areas.
International Reactions and Military Responses
Poland’s Air Force scrambled fighter jets and an early warning aircraft in response to Russia’s missile and drone attack. The Polish Armed Forces announced that ground-based air defense and radar systems were placed on the highest alert. “Due to the Russian Federation’s attack on targets in Ukraine, the Polish and allied air forces have launched operations in our airspace,” Poland’s Operational Command stated on X, emphasizing their readiness for immediate response.
Ukraine’s national power operator, Ukrenergo, confirmed emergency power outages across most regions. “Emergency shutdowns will be canceled after the situation in the power system stabilizes,” the company stated on Telegram. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk added that Russian forces had again carried out a large-scale strike on the country’s energy network.
“As soon as it becomes possible, rescuers, repair crews, and energy workers will begin restoring power and assessing the damage,” she said.
According to DTEK, Russia has once again targeted the company’s thermal power plants in several regions of Ukraine—marking the third massive attack on DTEK facilities this month. The company reported serious damage to equipment at multiple thermal power plants, with energy workers already working to repair and restore operations.
Looking Ahead: Energy Security and International Support
DTEK CEO Maxym Timchenko described the overnight attack as “an extremely serious” one, with Russian missiles and drones striking multiple company power plants as part of a massive assault on Ukraine’s energy system. He noted that while the extent of the damage was still being assessed, the strikes dealt “a bad blow” to efforts to keep power flowing through the winter.
Timchenko added, “Given the intensity of attacks in recent months, Russia appears to be aiming for the complete destruction of Ukraine’s energy system,” calling on Ukraine’s allies to step up supplies of replacement equipment, emergency funding, and air defense systems.
The Ministry of Energy reported that hourly power outages across Ukraine have been temporarily canceled but may resume within 24 hours depending on grid stability. Emergency repair work continues, with energy workers operating around the clock.
As for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the water level in the cooling pond is sufficient to meet the facility’s needs, according to the Ministry of Energy. This story is being updated as new information becomes available.
