Russian attacks have knocked out power across Ukraine’s southeastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s energy ministry reported Wednesday night. The ministry said critical infrastructure is running on reserve power, while water and internet services face interruptions. Russia has stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s energy system, aiming to freeze people during the harsh winter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram, "Ukraine's energy system is under enemy attacks every day, and energy workers are operating in extremely difficult conditions to provide people with light and heat." She added, "Deteriorating weather conditions put additional strain on critical infrastructure." Temperatures are dropping fast, making power and heating cuts more urgent. Ukrenergo, the state energy firm, said restoration will start as soon as safety allows. "The primary task of energy workers is to restore critical infrastructure," it said. Dnipro city Mayor Borys Filatov confirmed that all hospitals are running on generators. He assured, "There are the necessary water supplies, the treatment process does not stop. Water drainage in houses is also supported by alternative power sources." Schools in the city will remain closed until January 9 due to the blackout. Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov said efforts continue to restore power. He noted in a video, "Water utility workers have almost restored water to our homes, despite the complete blackout." DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest private energy company, supplies power to 5.6 million people. Its CEO, Maxim Timchenko, told the BBC last month they face nonstop crises from Russian missile and drone attacks. He said, "The intensity of strikes had been so frequent we just don't have time to recover." These attacks come as Ukraine faces the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced concerns that European allies have not guaranteed protection against new Russian attacks. Recently, the UK and France signed a declaration to deploy troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is reached, but Moscow called foreign troops "legitimate targets."