Russian strikes damaged energy infrastructure in Kyiv and the surrounding region on Wednesday, triggering emergency power cuts and disrupting public transport as Ukraine prepared for the winter heating season.

Air raid sirens sounded across the capital for more than 20 hours during the overnight and daytime attacks, one of the longest sustained alerts Kyiv has experienced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said the scale of the assault was unprecedented since the end of the previous heating season, adding that Russian forces had repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure since the summer.

Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, said the overnight strikes damaged energy facilities and caused power outages. The company said electricity had been restored to 8,000 customers on Kyiv's left bank, while emergency crews continued repair work.

State-owned grid operator Ukrenergo also reported outages in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast and other regions and urged residents to postpone using high-power electrical appliances.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv's energy infrastructure was the main target of the attacks, stressing the need to strengthen air defenses ahead of winter.

The strikes also damaged the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv Oblast, state-owned power producer Centrenergo said.

The company said generating equipment at the plant had been damaged but did not provide further details, citing security concerns. Centrenergo CEO Serhii Isachenko said specialists would assess the damage and begin repairs when security conditions allowed.

Ukrenergo announced emergency power shutdowns in Kyiv at around 5:40 p.m. local time.

The outages also disrupted public transport. Electric ground transport was suspended in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi and Holosiivskyi districts, while tram services were also halted, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.

The attacks come as Ukraine enters the colder months, when pressure on its electricity and heating systems is expected to increase. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the war, causing widespread outages and prompting authorities to prepare for potential shortages during the winter. (ILKHA)