Ukraine Revising Emergency Energy Plan as Russia Destroys 3 Power Plants

Ukrainian officials have urged civilians to prepare for blackouts and energy shortages after Russian air strikes reportedly damaged nearly a third of Ukraine's power stations ahead of colder weather.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday pleaded with Ukrainians to limit their energy consumption as the country's power infrastructure is restored. Zelensky also met with other top officials to plan for how to make it through the "heating season" as Russia is expected to continue bombarding cities across Ukraine.

Zelensky reported Wednesday in his daily address that Ukrainian forces had shot down 233 Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones and dozens of missiles launched by Russia since the beginning of October.

"Unfortunately, there are also hits. There is new damage to critical infrastructure," said Zelensky, reporting that three energy facilities had been destroyed on Wednesday.

Zelensky said that authorities were working to restore damaged energy infrastructure, but he urged Ukrainians beginning Thursday morning to limit their electricity consumption.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said on Telegram that "electricity supply restrictions will be introduced throughout Ukraine" that will include the street lights.

"This applies to residents of ALL regions of the country," he said. "If this is not done, you should prepare for temporary shutdowns."

In a tweet posted the day before, Zelensky again accused Russia of terrorism for targeting the country's infrastructure, adding that Putin's regime had destroyed 30 percent of Ukraine's power since October 10 and caused "massive blackouts across the country."

Russian attacks have already left multiple cities without water and power in Zaporizhzhia, a contested region in southern Ukraine that's recently seen intense fighting, according regional governor Oleksandr Starukh. Ukraine's capital city Kyiv also plans to enter heating season on Thursday, allowing buildings to connect to the municipal system that provides warmth during the colder months.

As Ukraine braces for what could be an especially burdensome winter, Zelensky on Wednesday convened a meeting that included Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi, Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Chernyshov and others.

The officials discussed "security at critical facilities that ensure the vital activity of cities, towns and villages of Ukraine" and plans for if electricity was cut off to populated areas, according to a summary posted by Zelensky's office. Help from allies of Ukraine was also discussed.

The Spanish Defense Ministry on Wednesday announced it would send four 400 kilowatt power generators along with a 150 kilowatt generator. The ministry said the generators will be transferred within the next three days using a logistics hub in Poland, another ally of Ukraine.

Newsweek reached out to Zelensky's office for comment.