Russia

Regionwide Blackout Hits Crimea After Ukrainian Strikes Kill 1

The Moscow Times · 2026-07-06

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Ukrainian strikes on Crimea resulted in a regionwide power outage and the death of one person in a separate attack on Belgorod, Russia. Local authorities reported that the blackout was due to "external interference" and attributed it to an enemy attack on energy infrastructure. • Why it matters: The blackout highlights ongoing tensions and military actions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in Crimea, which has been a focal point of conflict since its annexation by Russia in 2014. The situation underscores the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in the region and the impact of drone strikes on civilian areas. • What to watch next: Monitor developments regarding the restoration of power in Crimea, potential further Ukrainian military actions, and the response from Russian authorities, especially in light of the ongoing state of emergency in the region.

July 6, 2026 People walk along a dark street in the city of Yevpatoriya, Crimea. REUTERS / Alexei Pavlishak Overnight Ukrainian attacks on Crimea knocked out power across the entire annexed peninsula, local energy authorities said Monday morning, as a separate strike on Russia’s Belgorod region killed at least one person. Krymenergo, the state-owned energy provider in Crimea, told the Interfax news agency that a regionwide power outage was caused by “external interference.” Kremlin-backed authorities in the port city of Sevastopol, where Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based, directly attributed the blackout to an “enemy attack on energy infrastructure outside the borders of Sevastopol.” Sevastopol Governor Razvozhayev later said repair crews had managed to “reroute” power through backup lines to a “majority of residential homes” in the city. He said all energy customers would eventually see power restored in phases. Separately, the Kremlin-installed head of annexed Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said a woman was killed and two others were wounded in an overnight attack on the city of Kerch. A state of emergency remains active in Crimea following previous Ukrainian strikes against energy infrastructure in the region last month. Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has been squeezed for weeks by Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military trucks and fuel tankers that supply the region from the north, which have led to local gasoline shortages. Meanwhile, in Russia, authorities in the western Belgorod region said Monday morning that a civilian was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the vehicle he was driving. Further north, in the Leningrad region, local officials said Ukrainian drone attacks damaged the Baltic Sea ports of Vysotsk and Ust-Luga. Read more about: Ukraine war , Crimea Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more 'Catastrophic': Experts Sound Alarm Over Possible Crimea Deal Forcing Ukraine to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea would be "a return to the right of conquest," experts say. 3 Min read Ukraine Launches Air, Sea Drones Near Crimea Bridge – Reports Kerch residents reported explosions near the Zaliv shipyard and a residential neighborhood, while reports said traffic was suspended on the Crimea Bridge... 1 Min read Kremlin Confirms Russian Warship Hit By Ukrainian Strike Ukraine and its Western allies called the attack a major setback for the Russian Navy. 2 Min read Russia Says Crimea Attack Drones Used Grain Corridor ‘Safe Zone’ Russia said Sunday it recovered debris from drones that attacked its fleet in Sevastopol, exploiting the "safe zone" of a grain corridor, and could have...

Source: The Moscow Times
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Lukashenko says deployment of Oreshnik in Belarus is capable of cooling hotheads

• What happened: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system and tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, stat...

Russia

EAEU, Indonesia close to deal on national currency settlements — diplomat

• What happened: The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia are nearing an agreement on national currency settlements, according to Russian Ambassador Ser...

Russia

US-Iran talks may be held in Islamabad, final decision pending — newspaper

• What happened: Diplomatic sources indicate that a new round of US-Iran talks, focusing on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions, is likely to take place i...

Russia

Russia-China joint naval drills not aimed against anyone — Kremlin

• What happened: The Russia-China Joint Sea 2026 naval exercise is taking place in the Yellow Sea from July 6-13, with officials stating it is not aimed against...

Russia

Kremlin spokesman comments on Putin-Trump call, Russia-China drills

• What happened: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov discussed the recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, empha...

Russia

Zelensky didn't dare accept bodies of Ukrainian soldiers ahead of NATO summit — expert

• What happened: Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky declined to accept the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in Konstantinovka ahead of the NATO summit, a ...