On 16 November, power was restored in seven regions, including Kyiv, while repair efforts continued in seven others. The UK Ministry of Defence stressed that targeting Ukrainian infrastructure had become a central element of Russia’s strategy. However, these strikes had also been depleting Russian missile stockpiles. Ukrainian forces continued their counteroffensive in the Svatove and Kreminna directions, while Russian troops mounted attacks near Bakhmut and Avdiivka. In the Donbas region, Russian forces captured three towns, but their offensive in the Luhansk oblast failed.

Meanwhile, according to the ISW, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, was strengthening his position within the pro-war ultranationalist community, likely seeking to advance his own political ambitions.

Russian forces continued their bombardment of towns on the right bank of the Dnieper River, including Chornobaivka, Antonivka, and Kherson, employing missile systems, mortars, and artillery. These attacks caused widespread destruction and posed significant risks to civilians. Russian missile attacks on critical infrastructure left approximately 10 million Ukrainians without electricity. Dmitry Peskov justified the attacks, claiming they targeted facilities connected to the Ukrainian military. However, the strikes severely impacted also civilian infrastructure. Russia launched Kh-55 cruise missiles equipped with simulated nuclear warheads, further escalating fears of intensifying conflict.

As of November 17, over 10 million people were still without electricity. However, by the following day, Ukrainian officials reported that nearly all power had been restored across the country. Ukrainian forces pressed their counteroffensive along the Svatove-Kreminna line and targeted Russian positions in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their assaults near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and southwest off Donetsk.

On 19 November, the UK’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, visited Kyiv and called for curbing the influence of Russia and President Putin on the global economy. The Washington Post reported that Russia and Iran had finalized a deal under which Shahed drones were to be produced on Russia’s territory, which would allow for increased attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. 

On 20 November, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported explosions at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with dozens of hits to the facility’s infrastructure. Buildings, systems and equipment were damaged, but the IAEA experts stated that damage was not critical for nuclear safety and security. Ukraine’s Energoatom reported at least 12 blasts that disabled critical infrastructure needed to restart reactors 5 and 6, making it impossible to resume power production. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, warned that such actions were “playing with fire,” adding that damage also affected communications systems and emergency generators.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly called for the establishment of a special international tribunal on Russian aggression to hold Russian leaders accountable for the invasion of Ukraine. Russia was recognized as a terrorist state due to its military actions and attacks on civilians in Ukraine. The NATO Assembly stressed the need for continued support for Ukraine and the imposition of tougher sanctions on Russia to deter its acts of aggression on the international stage.

On 24 November, the Russian military fired between 65 and 70 missiles and 10 combat drones, attacking settlements and energy infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Zaporizhzhia. As a result, 10 people were killed and about 50 injured. The attacks caused widespread power outages, triggering emergency systems at three nuclear power plants (Rivne, South Ukraine, and Khmelnytskyi), which led to the automatic shutdown of their reactors. Many regions of Ukraine and also the neighbouring state of Moldova experienced power outages.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution declaring Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism,” due to its systematic attacks on civilians and war crimes committed in Ukraine. Russian forces continued to forcibly relocate residents from the occupied territories and intensified operations around Bakhmut and Avdiivka. The UK’s Ministry of Defence reported that Russia had redeployed some airborne units to the front lines in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to bolster its offensive and defensive operations.

Illustrative photo. Generated by AI