Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure caused temporary electricity and water disruptions in Kyiv and surrounding areas on Wednesday, November 4, as rescue teams continued searching for survivors following a deadly strike on a school and shelter in the country’s southern Zaporizhzhia region.
The overnight attacks disrupted essential services in the Ukrainian capital, prompting authorities to advise residents to use public drinking water points. Emergency centres were also being prepared in affected neighbourhoods, where residents could get hot drinks and charge their electronic devices.
Kyiv’s water utility later announced that supplies had been restored. Energy company DTEK also said emergency power restrictions in the capital had ended after repair teams stabilised the electricity system.
Ukraine reports 310 Russian drones in overnight attack
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 310 drones overnight, including 81 jet-powered models.
According to the military, Ukrainian air defences intercepted or suppressed 272 of the drones.
The latest assault followed a major Russian attack on power plants and electricity substations across nine Ukrainian regions on Tuesday. State-owned grid operator Ukrenergo said energy facilities had been struck more than 20 times within 24 hours.
Attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have continued throughout the war. In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two senior Russian military officers accused by prosecutors of overseeing attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Search continues after deadly strike in Zaporizhzhia
Meanwhile, emergency workers in Komyshuvakha, a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, continued searching the remains of a school and underground shelter hit by Russian guided bombs on Monday.
The death toll had risen to 37, according to Mykhailo Semikin, the acting head of the regional military administration.
Ivan Fedorov, co-chair of the regional defence council, said 12 of the bodies recovered from the rubble had been identified. He added that preliminary estimates suggested another 38 people could still be trapped beneath the debris.
It remained unclear whether anyone was still alive.
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Ukraine’s National Police reported similar figures, saying some victims could not be identified visually. Specialists were collecting DNA samples from relatives to help establish the identities of those killed.
Rescue operations have also been complicated by further Russian drone attacks, although officials said the search would continue.
On Tuesday, Baptist pastor Vladyslav Makhovskyi joined rescue efforts at the destroyed facility, where residents had gathered for shelter and humanitarian assistance.
He told The Associated Press that many people may have been unable to escape after the bombs struck, adding that some could have died immediately or become trapped without air.
Officials discuss Ukraine’s post-war security and reconstruction
Separately, officials from the United States, Germany, France, Britain, NATO and the European Union were scheduled to meet at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday.
The discussions were expected to cover security arrangements for Ukraine after the war, reconstruction needs and potential economic opportunities that could emerge from a peace agreement.
The meeting comes ahead of another round of US-brokered negotiations between Russia and Ukraine expected next week.
Melania Trump receives Ukrainian state honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded US First Lady Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, in recognition of her humanitarian support for Ukraine.
According to a statement published on the Ukrainian presidential website, the award recognised her contribution to humanitarian assistance, human rights and charitable activities supporting Ukrainian children and other citizens affected by the war.
Melania Trump was also credited with helping secure a six-day ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region. The temporary truce enabled a humanitarian operation and the evacuation of some residents.
The ceasefire ended before Monday’s attack in Komyshuvakha.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hoped US President Donald Trump would continue efforts to end the war, regardless of the outcome of the US midterm elections, in which Democrats took control of Congress.
Peskov described the election outcome as an internal American matter when asked whether the new Congress could affect Washington’s peace efforts.
Russia reports intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces shot down 709 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Russian online retailer Ozon also reported that a drone attack caused a fire at its logistics centre in Adygeysk, in the southern region of Adygea. The company said there were no casualties.
The latest developments came as both countries continued aerial attacks amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a way to end the war.