By TARYN KAUR PEDLER, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 09:40 GMT, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 12:06 GMT, 31 December 2025

Hundreds of thousands of Russians have been plunged into darkness due to a power outage after Ukraine launched a series of drone strikes on Moscow.

Footage emerging from the Russian capital has shown entire tower blocks without light and dead street lamps due to the widespread blackout.

According to the Russian power company PAO Rosseti, over 100,000 residents of Ramensky, Zhukovsky, and Lytkarino have now been left without electricity in the dead of winter. 

Russia claims the power outage occurred due to an automatic shutdown at a high-voltage electricity substation, though it is unclear whether this was the cause or if it resulted from a Ukrainian drone strike.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's former press secretary, Iuliia Mendel, said: 'Total blackout hits Moscow region is reported on social media. 

'Over 600,000 people plunged into darkness for more than four hours — no electricity, no mobile signal, total isolation. Drone threat declared across the oblast right now.' 

The number of Russian residents affected by the blackout remains unverified, but local reports have indicated that the number may range from 100,000 to 600,000.

The blackout appears to have coincided with a series of brutal drone strikes launched by Ukraine at Moscow.

Hundreds of thousands of Russians have been plunged into darkness due to a power outage after Ukraine launched a series of drone strikes on Moscow

Footage emerging from the Russian capital has shown entire tower blocks without light and dead street lamps due to the widespread blackout

According to the Russian power company PAO Rosseti, over 100,000 residents of Ramensky, Zhukovsky, and Lytkarino have now been left without electricity in the dead of winter

Russia’s air defence units destroyed a total of 27 Ukrainian drones in the three hours starting at 8pm local time, including three over the Moscow region, the Russian defence ministry said. 

Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, said on Telegram that 21 Ukrainian drones were downed during the day over the region. One civilian was injured as a result of the attack. 

Reports on social media suggested a large swarm of drones was seen heading for the Russian capital.

Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow’s mayor, is said to have confirmed that several unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted.