Ukraine Suffered Deadliest Year for Civilians and New Infrastructure Collapse Following Russian Attacks Leaving Many without Power in Frigid Temperatures



United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in its monthly update on civilian harm.

HRMMU verified that conflict-related violence in Ukraine in 2025 killed 2,514 civilians and injured 12,142. The total number of killed and injured civilians in 2025 was 31 per cent higher than in 2024 (2,088 killed; 9,138 injured) and 70 per cent higher than in 2023 (1,974 killed; 6,651 injured).

As of January 16, 2026, Ukraine is facing a critical humanitarian and energy crisis following a relentless series of Russian missile and drone strikes designed to "freeze the country into submission." Over the past week, Russia has intensified its "energy blitz," launching hundreds of munitions to disable the power grid during a period of extreme subzero temperatures.

On Sunday, Jan. 11, Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus message recalled the plight of the Ukrainian people, who are suffering under Russian bombardment. He lamented that these attacks are “particularly serious, targeting mainly energy infrastructure, while the cold intensifies, hitting the civilian population hard”.

“I pray for those who are suffering and I renew my call for an end to violence and for intensified efforts to achieve peace,” the Pope said.

The "Medieval" Reality in Kyiv

Following the most recent massive strike on January 13, 2026, which involved nearly 300 drones and 25 missiles, approximately 70% of Kyiv was left without electricity. Residents in the capital are enduring what many describe as "the dark days," with temperatures plunging as low as -11°C to -17°C.

  • Infrastructure Collapse: State grid operator Ukrenergo reports that the Russian strategy is now focused on "disconnecting" entire cities.

  • Survival Tactics: Thousands of residents have moved into municipal "Points of Invincibility"—heated tents with generators—to charge phones and get warm meals.

  • Casualties: The January 13 attack on a mail depot in the Kharkiv region killed four people, while ongoing strikes in Sumy and Zaporizhzhia have claimed additional lives.

Escalation of Weaponry: The Oreshnik Missile

A significant escalation occurred on January 9, 2026, when Russia launched the Oreshnik, a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, at infrastructure in Lviv. 

  • Speed: Ukrainian air command reported the missile traveled at approximately 13,000 km/h (Mach 10).

  • Strategic Impact: While the missile did not carry a nuclear payload, its use is seen as a psychological threat to Ukraine’s NATO allies, specifically near the Polish border.

The State of the Energy Grid

Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on January 16 that Russia has conducted over 612 deliberate attacks on the energy sector in the past year. 

  • Daily Strikes: Bombardments are now occurring daily.

  • Generation Loss: Thousands of megawatts have been knocked out, forcing the government to declare a formal energy emergency.

  • Regional Impact: The hardest-hit areas include Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. 

Sources

  1. United24 Media: "How Kyiv Residents Endure Freezing Homes After Russian Strikes" (Jan 16, 2026).

  2. Kyiv Post: "Ukraine's Energy System Strained as Russian Attacks Hit Every Power Plant" (Jan 16, 2026).

  3. The Guardian: "‘They want to break us’: Russian energy grid strikes give freezing Kyiv some of its darkest days" (Jan 13, 2026).

  4. The Washington Post: "Russia uses nuclear-capable missile in latest Ukraine attack" (Jan 9, 2026).

  5. Associated Press: "Russia launches second major strike on Ukraine’s power grid in four days" (Jan 13, 2026).


    Image Image by Enrique from Pixabay

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