Kyiv, Ukraine – A significant technical malfunction on Saturday led to mass power outages across Ukraine and neighboring Moldova, disrupting critical infrastructure, including the complete shutdown of the Kyiv metro system for several hours.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:42 AM (0842 GMT) when, according to Ukraine’s Energy Minister Denys Shmygal, a 400-kilovolt line between Romania and Moldova and a 750-kilovolt line connecting western and central Ukraine simultaneously failed. Ukrainian officials have stated the cause was a “technical malfunction” and ruled out a cyberattack.
The power failure had an immediate and severe impact. In Kyiv, water supplies were cut off across all city districts, and the metro system suspended all operations for the first time since the start of the war in 2022, paralyzing transport for the estimated 800,000 daily commuters. The capital’s metro stations are also frequently used as bomb shelters. Widespread outages were also reported in the Zhytomyr and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine, as well as in Moldova’s capital, Chisinau.
The outage affected Ukraine’s three operational nuclear power plants, which had to reduce their capacity. Additionally, the site of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant briefly lost its off-site power supply. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that while no direct impact on nuclear safety was expected, the “overall situation remains precarious.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared the situation an “emergency.” Restoration efforts began promptly, with power returning to critical infrastructure in Kyiv by the afternoon. The energy ministry later confirmed that electricity was restored to residential customers in Odesa and Kharkiv. However, officials warned that shortages remained high and emergency cuts were still in effect in several regions.
This event places additional strain on Ukraine’s energy grid, which has been weakened by weeks of Russian bombardment targeting energy infrastructure.
A significant Ukraine power outage occurred on Saturday, January 31, after what officials described as a technical malfunction in the high-voltage lines connecting the country with Romania and Moldova. The widespread blackout had a severe impact on the capital city of Kyiv, leading to a complete, hours-long shutdown of the metro system and disruptions to the water supply.
The effects of the Ukraine power outage extended into neighboring Moldova, with its capital also experiencing blackouts. The incident further stressed Ukraine’s fragile energy infrastructure, which has been under sustained pressure. Authorities have launched an immediate response to restore services, with power returning to critical infrastructure in stages, though emergency cuts remain in place across several regions.
According to multiple media sources.
