Ukrainian HIMARS Strike Causes Widespread Power Outages in Russia's Belgorod Region

Energy Infrastructure Hit Near Belgorod

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, a thermal power plant and a substation near the Russian city of Belgorod were reportedly struck by Ukrainian High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The attack resulted in widespread power outages across the Belgorod Oblast, according to reports from Russian Telegram channels and local officials.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod Oblast confirmed that critical infrastructure had sustained damage, leading to 'significant power outages' throughout the region. The affected areas included the city of Belgorod itself, along with towns such as Stary Oskol, Gubkin, and Shebekino. In Belgorod city, the strike also caused disruptions to water supply, traffic lights, and triggered air raid alerts. Hospitals and water services in the region reportedly switched to backup power systems.

Details of the Attack and Reported Casualties

The specific targets identified were the Belgorod Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and the Luch substation. While the full extent of the structural damage was not immediately clear, the impact on the power grid was substantial. Governor Gladkov initially reported that two civilians were injured in the incident.

Ukrainian military authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the strike. However, Russian sources attributed the attack to U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, which are known for their precision and a range of approximately 70 kilometers.

Context of Escalating Strikes

This incident follows a period of intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy and military logistics infrastructure. The strike occurred shortly after a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, on September 27-28, 2025, which resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The use of HIMARS in such strikes aligns with Ukraine's ongoing strategy to target facilities supporting Russia's military operations. Earlier in September, President Volodymyr Zelensky had confirmed that Ukraine was set to receive additional Patriot HIMARS missiles as part of a U.S. weapons aid package. Analysts suggest that targeting power plants and substations could exacerbate power outages in regions like Belgorod, complicate Russian military logistics, and exert further economic pressure on Moscow.