In a series of devastating attacks, Russian cities have been thrown into chaos as widespread power outages struck the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions. Ukrainian drone barrages late on Sunday night left these areas without electricity and water, severely impacting the daily lives of residents.

According to a report from the Telegram channel Mash, which claims to be linked to Russia's security services, approximately 90 percent of the Belgorod region, which shares a border with Ukraine, is currently without power. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry confirmed this information, indicating that both Belgorod and Stary Oskol have been affected.

This recent wave of attacks targeting critical infrastructure is reminiscent of Russia's military playbook in the ongoing war. A Financial Times report previously revealed that since invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has already decimated over half of Ukraine's power-generation capacity.

The local electricity company, Belgorodenergo, cited a "technological disruption" caused by an "external influence" as the reason behind the temporary interruption in power supply. The neighboring Kursk and Voronezh regions have also experienced electricity shortages in different districts, according to reports from regional authorities.

The head of the Kursk region, Alexey Smirnov, issued a warning, preparing residents for potential power problems following the drone attack. In a message on his Telegram channel, he explained that due to technological failures on the power transmission line in neighboring regions, the Kursk region could experience a shortage of electricity capacity.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces employed a total of 36 drones in their attacks on the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions. Ukraine has long been plagued by Russian drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure, particularly civilian and energy facilities.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, highlighted the significant damage inflicted by Russia on Ukraine's energy grid, potentially impacting its war fighting capabilities. The think tank predicts that Russia will continue to launch periodic, large-scale strikes on energy infrastructure, aiming to cause long-term damage and degrade Ukraine's ability to fight back. This tactic sets the stage for pronounced humanitarian pressures in the coming winter.

As the situation escalates, concerns grow about the impact on civilians and the overall state of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment on the recent string of attacks.

The power outages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks have left Russian cities in darkness, disrupt daily life, and pose significant challenges for the affected regions. The aftermath of these attacks will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for both countries involved in the conflict.