19:25, 13.12.2025

As a result of a large-scale attack by the Russian Federation, Odesa has been plunged into a blackout. There is also no water and heat supply, and electric transport is not working. UNIAN learned about the difficult situation in the city and the prospects for restoring electricity supply.

Odessans cannot recall such a massive and prolonged attack, which the Russian Federation carried out on the night of December 13, during the entire period of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For many hours (from late evening to morning), the regional center and the Odessa region were attacked by missiles and dozens of drones. All night long, explosions could be heard in the city, residential buildings shook, and car alarms went off. Shocked Odessans ran to shelters, parking lots, and basements, dragging their children and pets with them. In fact, the city immediately lost power, heating, and water – it was clear that the situation could be a stalemate.

Consequences of the attack

According to preliminary data, as a result of the attack, the Russian army damaged four Ukrenergo substations, and 560,000 consumers were left without electricity, which is 60% of the Odessa region.

According to the head of the Odessa city military administration, Serhiy Lysak, four citizens are known to have been injured, residential buildings (one of which is in the historical center), an administrative building, civilian cars and a fire truck were damaged. There were fires at energy infrastructure facilities and in warehouses with textile products. About a hundred rescuers were involved in eliminating the consequences of the attack.

“Specialists are doing everything possible and impossible to stabilize the situation and, first of all, to supply voltage to critical infrastructure facilities. Technical water is being delivered. If necessary, the number of such locations will be increased. All city utility services are working. We are doing everything possible to support our people,” Lysak noted.

According to DTEK “Odessa Electric Networks”, as of now, a technical solution has been found to restore power to 40,000 subscribers. However, tens of thousands are still without power.

Unfortunately, it is unknown when electricity, water, and heat will be restored in the city.

“Currently, the consequences of the attack are being assessed and studied by energy experts. We cannot make predictions yet,” said Lysak.

Pump rooms not in generators and the opening of “Points of Invincibility”

In Odessa, huge queues for drinking water lined up at pump rooms connected to generators – their work was extended until 10:00 p.m. Local authorities organized the delivery of technical water to all four districts of Odessa. The city hall claims that water trucks are on duty at 16 points, and they promise to increase their number several times.

More than 400 “Invincibility Points” have also been opened. The owners of several supermarkets and cafes have come to the aid of the townspeople, where you can go and recharge your phones. However, the number of outlets is limited – you have to wait quite a long time for your turn to “recharge”. We are talking about crowds of people who want to…

Among the cafe visitors, whom an UNIAN correspondent met, was a mother with a sick daughter. The girl was forced to do inhalation in the presence of other visitors, because this device cannot be used without power from the mains.

According to the child’s mother, they spent a long time looking for a place where they could connect a nebulizer, because the girl desperately needed the procedure.

“My daughter got sick over a month ago, but she’s still coughing, literally suffocating. Fortunately, we found a place here with a free outlet. I don’t even know what we’ll do tomorrow…” – the woman said.

People are getting out of the situation as best they can – car batteries and various chargers are being used. Entrepreneurs have launched generators that are even connected to the carousel: despite the cold weather, there are those who want to ride, as they say, with the breeze.

Security measures have been tightened in the city

After the shelling and power outage of a significant number of settlements in the region, law enforcement officers increased the number of patrols. The regional headquarters of the National Police reported that the squads monitor law and order and help people in difficult situations, regulate traffic at intersections where traffic lights do not work. Drivers and pedestrians were urged to be as attentive and cautious on the roads as possible in the dark.

People are also asked to cross the road only in designated areas, making sure that drivers see pedestrians and let them through. Law enforcement officers will notify the public about air raids and evacuations via loudspeakers and stationary warning devices. If necessary, residents are asked to seek help from police officers on the street or from the nearest police station.

“Invincibility points” are also set up in the territorial police units of the Odessa region :

“There is light, internet, alternative power supply, and heat where you can warm up or charge your mobile devices. And there are police officers constantly at the checkpoints, who you can contact for any assistance related to security and law and order.”

Not only Odesa

The mayor of Artsyz, Odessa region, Serhiy Parpulanskyi, reported that the night and morning in the city were difficult. As a result of shelling of the region’s energy infrastructure, many districts and communities of the Odessa region, including the Artsyz community, were completely without electricity.

“In the city of Artsyz, according to data from energy experts, it is not worth expecting a connection in the near future or even next Sunday. The situation may be somewhat better for villages… But the forecast is also unsatisfactory at the moment. As for water supply, we will supply it according to schedule…”, said the mayor.

Larisa Kozova

(c)UNIAN 2025