Ukraine hits Russian energy, causing power outages for thousands – DW – 11/09/2025

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was ready to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for talks, but stressed that Russia would not abandon its original terms for ending the conflict.

“State Secretary Marco Rubio and I understand the need for regular communication,” Lavrov told state news agency RIA Novosti.

“It is important to discuss the Ukrainian issue and promote the bilateral agenda. That is why we communicate by telephone and are ready to hold face-to-face meetings if needed,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his conditions for ending the war in June 2024.

These include Kiev abandoning its plans to join the US-led NATO military alliance and recognizing Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian provinces: Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, as well as Kherson and Zaporizhia in the south.

Ukraine’s attacks on energy infrastructure have left thousands of people without power in some Russian border areas, local officials said.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said “electricity and heating supply networks have suffered serious damage” in the regional capital of the same name.

“Many roads are affected by power problems… More than 20,000 residents are without electricity,” he said on Telegram.

In the western Kursk region, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said Ukraine had disrupted electricity in 10 neighborhoods.

Regional governor Alexander Gusev said the drone strike caused a temporary blackout and heating cuts in parts of Voronezh.

Russia’s Defense Ministry, on its part, has reported shooting down 44 drones in the border Bryansk area.

Energy infrastructure has been a major target for both Moscow and Kiev since Russia’s full-scale offensive began in February 2022.

While Russia has attempted to paralyze the Ukrainian electricity grid, Ukraine has targeted Russian refineries and other facilities.

Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure have caused blackouts in two Russian border areas, local officials said Sunday.

This comes a day after a major Russian attack caused power outages in several Ukrainian regions.

Moscow has regularly attacked Ukrainian energy installations since launching a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was ready to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio for talks, but stressed that peace could not be achieved “without taking into account Russian interests”.

Stay tuned as DW brings you the latest news from the war in Ukraine.