---
title: "Crater the size of a house: Ukrenergo reports intensified energy infrastructure attacks following Russian strike"
description: "A crater the size of a house has formed at a Ukrenergo substation after a Russian strike. The company reports intensified energy attacks and crews working under constant threat."
date: 2026-11-12T16:29:38.684Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/crater-at-ukrenergo-substation-after-attack
tags: [ukrenergo, energy-infrastructure, russia-ukraine, power-grid, zhytomyr]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Crater the size of a house: Ukrenergo reports intensified energy infrastructure attacks following Russian strike

![Two Ukrainian SES rescuers in uniform and helmets at the site of a destroyed facility](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/udar-po-podstantsii-ukrenergo-voronka-razmerom-s-dom/udar-po-podstantsii-ukrenergo-voronka-razmerom-s-dom-1.webp)

## Key Points

- A crater the size of a house formed at a Ukrenergo substation following a Russian strike.
- The company reports that energy infrastructure attacks are now round-the-clock and more intense, with follow-up strikes destroying equipment before repairs are finished.
- Protective structures mitigate but do not eliminate damage; repair crews work under constant shelling threats.
- Drone strikes hit six communities in the Zhytomyr region; overnight, 89 out of 123 drones and five S8000 units were neutralized.

Following a recent Russian strike, a crater the size of a residential house has formed at one of Ukrenergo’s substations. The company, which manages the national power grid, stated that the enemy has shifted its tactics this year and significantly intensified attacks on energy infrastructure. According to Ukrenergo, key facilities are being hit by strike drones and ballistic missiles around the clock, with secondary strikes destroying equipment before repairs can be completed.

### Shifting tactics in energy grid attacks

The statement emphasizes that this year’s attacks have become more intense and continuous: strikes target critical grid infrastructure at all hours. According to the company, a major challenge is posed by repeated strikes on already damaged objects, which destroy equipment before it can be restored from the previous impact. This pattern of attacks essentially prevents repair crews from completing restoration work before the next strike occurs.

### The limits of protective structures

Ukrenergo also noted that while protective structures at energy facilities help mitigate the scale of damage during hits, they cannot fully safeguard equipment during shelling. This means that even with engineering protection in place, some equipment and substation components fail during direct or near-miss hits, necessitating further repairs or replacement.

### Round-the-clock repairs under threat

According to Ukrenergo, the company’s repair crews work around the clock—in harsh weather and under the constant threat of repeated shelling—to restore electricity to consumers as quickly as possible. The company highlighted the importance of the daily labor of specialists working directly at the impact sites. "Behind every restored object are our energy workers. Thank you to everyone who restores the light," Ukrenergo stated.

### Context: Strikes on Zhytomyr region and the overnight attack

Notably, on the same day, Russian forces launched drone strikes on six communities in the Zhytomyr region; reports indicate damage to private homes as well as vital energy and transport facilities. Separately, it is reported that Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with ballistic and anti-ship missiles along with 123 strike drones. The Air Force reported that 89 drones and five S8000 "Banderol"/"Dan-T" units were shot down or neutralized.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Удар РФ по подстанции "Укрэнерго" образовал воронку размером с дом (видео)](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/udar-rf-pidstantsiyi-ukrenergo-utvoriv-virvu-1794490471.html) - Source: Ukrenergo statement on damage, tactical changes, and repair efforts; data on Zhytomyr region impacts and the overnight attack (123 drones, 89 neutralized, 5 S8000).

## FAQ

### What damage was caused to the Ukrenergo substation?

The company reported a crater the size of a house. While protective structures reduce the scale of damage, they cannot fully protect the equipment during massive attacks.

### How many drones were shot down overnight?

The Air Force reported that Russia attacked with 123 strike drones; 89 drones and five S8000 units were shot down or neutralized.