Blackout in Kiev. 1329th Day of War

The fierce fighting continues north of the Pokrów agglomeration, where both sides effort to keep the initiative. The Ukrainians lost further areas recovered in August and September as part of the decommissioning of the breach east of Dobropol, mainly in the area of the Chess Node, which is presently in enemy ticks. However, they recovered further positions on the outside of this breach. Field advancement of the aggressor was noted in the area of Myrnohrad, where it came out to the east outskirts of this town (in erstwhile weeks it approached it from the north-east). Defenders managed to comparatively stabilise the defence in the confederate part of Pokrovska.

Russian forces widened the ground base to attack Constantinov from the south east. Under Ukrainian control there are only 2 towns – Predteczyne and Ivanopilla. The bag included part of a group of defenders to the west of the Donbas Canal, and their communication with the facilities hindered the attacks on Predteczyne, through which the only escape way leads. The invaders besides recorded further advancement north of Siewierska, in the Kupinsk region and in the dęciepropetrovsk and sumptary districts, but they do not have much influence on the situation.

In the north-eastern part of the Zaporo region, the aggressor reached the Janczur River, on which the western bank of Ukraine organizes another line of defense. He besides made slight advancement in the western part of the circuit, where he strengthened in the confederate part of Stepnohirszka and entered the Primorski Dnieprem. Reports of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (SZU SG) with crucial advancement for the current conditions of 3.5 km in the area of Mali Szczerbaky village (west of Orichiwa) where according to Ukrainian sources OSINT (open-source intelligence) only tiny shifts of troops could occur.

On October 10, invaders conducted 1 of the most touching mass hits in Ukrainian energy, which led to blackout, among others, in the left-hand part of Kiev. In addition to the thermal power plant in the capital (TEC-6), they damaged akin facilities in Dnieporzyńska TEC, Krzywna Horn and, according to any sources, Zaporoż, hydroelectric plants: Kaniowska, Krzemieńczucka, Central DniproGES and DnieproGES in Zaporoż, as well as a number of smaller facilities (e.g. the Brewery Substation close Kiev). Most likely no major harm was caused by the attack on the power plant in the right-wing part of the capital (TEC-5). The passage through Dniepr through hydroelectric dams in Kaniów and Zaporoż was temporarily closed. According to president Volodymyr Zelenski, 725 1000 subscribers (including 540 1000 in Kiev) were restored to electricity by evening, and various over-planned power outages were maintained in respective areas of the capital and in the Kharkiv, Czernihowski, dynaepropetrovsk, Kiev, Kirovohradsk, Poltava, Sumov and Zaporosk circuits. Only deliveries were full restored in the Odyscan Odyscan region. This means that respective million Ukrainians remained immediately as a consequence of the shocks cut off from the supply of electricity – and partially the current water and heating. It besides attracted victims: a kid died in Zaporozh, 10 people were injured in the Cherkah region, and 11 or 12 in Kiev.

Air attacks on energy occurred besides in the days preceding the mass impact and later, and the most painfully felt it on October 11, Odessa. The impact on Usatowe substation in parts of the city and surrounding towns resulted in a blackout. By evening, power supplies were restored for 311,000 subscribers. On 12 October, the Russians attacked energy infrastructure in the Chernihow region, Donetsk (a thermal power plant in Slaviansk was damaged), Kiev and Odski (the Blackout occurred in Białogrody nad Dniester). A day later, the facilities were again attacked in the Chernihowski, Donetsk and Odski circuits, as well as in the propetrovsk days, and on 14 October in the Kharkiv and Sumi. On 13 October, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine stated that as a consequence of the erstwhile impacts on energy infrastructure (in border regions they have been moving continuously for respective weeks) the blackouts – mainly emergency – are maintained in 8 regions. In the run-up to the 10 October attack, hostile unmanneds hit energy infrastructure in the Chernihow region, dcieepropetrovsk and Sumi (October 8; according to any sources, the TEC Curved in Zelenodolśek was damaged) and Odski (9 October; Blackout occurred in Czarnomorsk).

Logistics remains the constant goal. In the Chernihow region, railway facilities in the area of Nizhina (7 and 8 October) and fuel bases in Pryłuki (8 October) were damaged and again in the area of Nizhina (14 October). The facilities of Uklaliszny were besides attacked in the Kirovohrad region (14 October). The harm to the infrastructure was reported from Odessa (9 October, the port was attacked), Chernihov and Pavlohrad (12 October), Kharkiv (12 and 13 October), where 7 people were injured as a consequence of the harm to the infirmary building, and Sum (14 October). According to Ukrainian sources, between the evening of 7 October and the morning of 14 October, the invaders utilized a full of 1134 impact drones (including only 10 October – 465) and their imitations and 34 ballistic and maneuvering missiles (10 October – 32). Defenders declared to neutralize 941 unmanned and shoot down 15–18 rockets.

On 9 October, Ukrainian drones hit the Korobkowski Gas Processing Plant in Kotów in the Volgograd Oblast. There was a fire on their property, which was confirmed by satellite images. According to the SG SZU on the same day the Jefimovka control station serving respective pipelines was to be hit in that circuit. On 11 October, the safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) informed about a peculiar operation in which a fire was to happen at the Baszniefté-UNZZ refinery in Ufa, which had not yet been confirmed by another sources. On the same day, the unmanned heat and power plant in Belgorod hit again, resulting in a breakdown of street lighting in this city.

As a consequence of the joint action of the SBU and peculiar Operations Force on October 13, a fuel base was one more time hit in Theodosia in occupied Crimea., where the fire continued until the next day. According to Ukrainian media, drones damaged from 5 to 11 tanks. Power substations in Theodosia were besides hit (satellite photos confirmed the fire on the premises) and in Symferopol and, according to any Russian sources, the thermal power plant in Sakami (they were expected to hit 2 Neptune maneuvering missiles). According to the German paper "Die Welt" of October 9, Ukrainians were to usage dense missiles maneuvering Flamingo to attack the FSB base in the north of the peninsula. Of the 3 missiles, 1 was expected to hit 100 meters from the target. The dates of the attack and its effects were not given. On the same day, president Zelenski informed about the usage of Flamingo and Neptune missiles “in the past week”. OSINT sources only reported the usage of Neptune rocket defenders.

Almost 1% of Dutch GDP is allocated to military aid to Ukraine “The Dutch Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans, said he was visiting there for respective days. On October 10, he signed with his local counterpart a memorandum on the joint production of drones (details of cooperation are to be developed soon), and announced the transfer of another package of support, worth EUR 200 million, for the acquisition of anti-drone systems. 2 days later, he opened the Dutch Defence Cluster in Kiev to coordinate and support the cooperation of the arms industries of both countries on the Ukrainian market. He besides discussed in Odessa the implementation of a previously announced package worth EUR 400 million, containing support for the Navy of Ukraine. 7 October Dutch company Milrem Robotics informed about the planned transportation of 150 unmanned ground transport platforms TheseMIS to Kiev. The order is implemented in cooperation with another company from the Netherlands – VDL Defenetec.

8 October The Council of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a regulation authorising the free usage of civilian airports and airfields by state services carrying out defence and civilian protection activities. Free usage includes infrastructure and radio support (connection, landing systems and lighting) and provision of aircraft services. Their operators will be able to usage the facilities in agreement with airport handling. The scope of free usage will be defined “taking into account operating conditions and conditions”. The government's decision is in line with efforts to strengthen defence and increase the efficiency of the usage of state infrastructure during the war.

10 October in Lublin there was a solemn signing of contracts by the sixth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers. According to the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Vasil Bodnar respective twelve Ukrainians surviving abroad decided to take up military service. The diplomat added that despite attempts to discredit the recruitment centre's operations, recruitment continues continuously. They may sign a contract for 1 year, 3 years or until the end of martial law. After recruitment, they go to a training ground close Lublin, where they are trained under abroad instructors. The Ukrainian side provides uniformation and medical supplies to soldiers, while Poland provides infrastructure and training equipment.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine published on 14 October From January 2022 to September 2025, law enforcement authorities registered 235,646 cases relating to the voluntary leaving of a military unit and 53,954 proceedings concerning acts of defection. There has been an increase in the number of specified crimes. In July, the full number of spontaneous distances was 202 977.

On October 10, the Ukrainian Centre for Combating Disinformation stated that in Tatarstan, the amount of one-off payments for recruits signing a contract for service in the Russian Army was drastically reduced. This amount fell from 2.7 million rubles (about $34,000) to 400,000 rubles (about $4.9 thousand). The data was posted on the website of the local military commission, but no authoritative comment was issued by the regional authorities. Ukrainian experts indicate that this step demonstrates the deteriorating financial situation of the FR regions. The rising war spending is exacerbated by local budgets which are no longer able to keep an earlier level of material incentives for volunteers and national subsidies are being limited.

13 October Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) published data 145 companies owned or managed by the Russian holding company Tiechnodinamika – part of the state-owned Rostech corporation. According to HUR 86 of them are inactive not measured against global sanctions. Tiechnodinamika plays a key function in the Russian military-industrial complex – it manufactures artillery and rocket systems, ammunition, powder, drones, aircraft engines and military protective equipment. Non-restricted companies include the national Center for Soyuz Technology and Morozowa Plant – engine and solid fuel manufacturers for Topol-M, Jars and Iskander rocket complexes – and the Ufa Aggregates Production Association – the maker of the Ch-101 and Ch-59M2 maneuvering rocket components.

On 13 October, on the website of the task “I want to live” (he rose under the aegis of HUR, engaged in encouraging Russian soldiers to surrender) it was stated that 314 citizens of Belarus died in the fight against Ukraine in the Russian army, and there are inactive over 1.3 000 Belarusians in its ranks. According to the analysis, the average period from contract signing to death on the front is about six and a half months. Most of the fallen served in units of the 150 Mechanized Division, and many of them were recruited in Russian prisons. The study besides noted the participation in the clashes of soldiers of the 5th Independent Specnaz Brigade with Marine Horka close Minsk.

The State Bureau of Investigation continues its efforts to exposure those who committed treason or cooperation with the aggressor. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 2780 criminal cases have been opened concerning crimes against national security. Of this number of 1895 proceedings concern treason, 696 – collaboration, and 46 – aiding the enemy and inciting action.

According to the data of the Ministry of Veterinary Affairs, on 1 September, the position of war veteran had 1,326,552 Ukrainian citizens. Most of them received it after the start of the Russian invasion (before 2022 this position had 556 467 people). After the onset of aggression, the number increased – in 2022, the veteran position was granted to 12,871 soldiers, a year later – 324,018, in 2024 – 267,263, and in the first 9 months of 2025 – 165,933. These people have the right to free allocation of land (up to 2 ha for farming, 0.12 ha for gardening or construction land, from 0.10 ha in cities to 0.25 ha in agrarian areas). The state besides provides benefits to families, including parents, spouses and children, of fallen soldiers, including discounts on housing and media charges and another forms of social support.

On October 8, the Government Centre of National opposition (CNO) announced that Russian business authorities proceed to “reeducation” Ukrainian children from occupied Donetsk Oblast, exporting them to the FR under the pretext of participating in ‘cultural trips’. In September, over 600 students left the circuit under duress. They were sent to St. Petersburg as part of a propaganda task "Cultural Map 4+85" (buyed regions of Ukraine + another administrative entities of Russia) to advance Russian national identity. The CNO stresses that the number of specified "trips" has increased rapidly – from 14 last year to 142 including. Children are taught the ideas of unification of Russian lands and heroization of occupiers.

On 10 October, the Ukrainian Centre for Combating Disinformation (CSD) reported that The business administration in the temporarily occupied part of the Zaporo region commissioned investigation on the "Ukrainian nationalist ideology". A task worth 6.6 million rubles (more than $78,000) will be implemented by the Moscow global Academy of Business and Management, known previously for organising pro-government forums and propaganda events specified as the "Fortress of Russian Civilization in Siege". The task plans to organize a series of meetings and conferences with about 300 people, including scientists, teachers and clergy from occupied areas. The task is part of a broader Kremlin strategy to systematically destruct Ukrainian culture, past and identity by giving it a description of "extremism".