Ukraine power supply: status, forecasts and tips for outages
As Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensify, the country is once again facing widespread electricity restrictions. Stabilization schedules have been introduced across multiple regions, and officials are urging residents to prepare for extended outages. Energy experts warn that the coming winter will be challenging, though a total blackout remains unlikely.
Electricity supply and risks ahead
October 2025 has brought renewed strain to Ukraine’s power grid. Russian strikes on thermal power plants, heating facilities and distribution systems in September and October have sharply reduced reserve capacity. While some facilities were quickly restored, overall damage remains extensive.
According to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy sector supplier, repair efforts are still underway in many regions, and surviving generation assets are operating under heavy load. The system’s main challenge is a shortage of flexible, maneuverable capacity to meet peak morning and evening demand. Imports from European countries partially offset the shortfall but cannot close the gap.
As a result, regional grid operators are enforcing rolling blackouts, issuing dispatch orders and introducing consumption limits to keep the system stable.
“This winter will likely be harder than the last,” said DTEK CEO Maksym Tymchenko. “The attacks will be more intense, and our reserves smaller.”
Finding your outage schedule
To navigate planned or emergency outages, every consumer should identify their outage group. There are several reliable ways to do this:
- Official websites: Regional power companies regularly post schedules online. For example, Kyiv residents can check DTEK Kyiv at kyiv.dtek.ua; the Lviv region at loe.lviv.ua; and Odesa at oe.if.ua.
- Address lookup: Many websites feature interactive tools where users can enter their street and house number to view their group and approximate outage times.
- Chatbots: DTEK and regional utilities operate official bots in Viber and Telegram that send automated outage alerts, including emergency shutdowns.
- Interactive maps: Some cities publish live maps marking powered zones in green and disconnected areas in red.
Officials caution that real outage times may differ from published schedules depending on overall consumption, grid stability and directives from Ukrenergo.
Preparing for outages: Power, heat and communication
Having backup solutions can make long outages more manageable. Energy specialists recommend planning ahead to secure alternative power, lighting, heating and communication sources.
Key advice includes:
- Power: Invest in portable power stations (such as EcoFlow, Bluetti or Anker), high-capacity power banks, inverter batteries, or, if possible, fuel generators (such as Honda, Könner & Söhnen, Hyundai).
- Lighting: Stock up on rechargeable lamps, solar-powered lights, camping lanterns or LED fixtures with long battery life.
- Heating: Prepare warm clothing, thermal blankets, portable stoves and compact gas heaters (for instance, Kovea, Meva, Pathfinder).
- Water and food: Keep an emergency supply of drinking and technical water, as well as ready-to-eat and long-shelf-life foods.
- Communication: Charge spare phones, keep radios with batteries on hand and use SIM cards from multiple carriers, since cell towers may lose power during outages.
Ukraine’s power grid remains under threat of further attacks, and rolling outages are a necessary measure to balance generation and demand. Energy experts stress that following official updates, identifying your outage group and preparing essential supplies will help households endure the winter safely and calmly.
Reliable power banks, warm clothing and backup lighting are no longer luxuries – they’re basic necessities in every Ukrainian home.
Читайте також — Emergency first aid in wartime: knowledge that saves lives
