Massive fire at Starobesheve TPP causes power outages in region
Illustrative photo: Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations personnel (Getty Images)
Reports have emerged online about an attack on the Starobesheve Thermal Power Plant located in the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region, which has led to power supply disruptions in the area, according to Russian media.
On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, reports surfaced on social media about a possible attack on the Starobesheve Thermal Power Plant, located in the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region.
According to local channels, the city is experiencing power supply disruptions, lights are flickering, and voltage fluctuations are being reported across the entire occupied territory of the Donetsk region.
Residents say electricity in homes is intermittent, with some appliances malfunctioning. It remains unclear whether any infrastructure or power plant personnel were affected.
Russian occupation authorities are spreading conflicting versions of the incident, from "a violation of safety procedures" to "a drone strike." None of these claims has been confirmed, and independent sources cannot verify the details of the incident.
Energy significance of plant
The Starobesheve TPP is one of Ukraine’s largest thermal power plants, converting thermal energy into electricity through coal combustion and turbine rotation. Since the occupation of Donbas, its capacity has been used to meet Russian military needs, although its output has significantly declined in recent years.
Military facilities are reportedly located near the plant. In November 2023, an explosion was recorded at the site, damaging part of the equipment.
Occupied energy zone
The settlement of Starobesheve has been under Russian control since 2014 and lies about 90 km from the front line. After Ukraine disconnected the occupied parts of Donbas from its national grid in 2017, the Starobesheve and Zuiivska thermal power plants remained the main electricity sources for the Russian-occupied territories. Though operated illegally, the facility remains critical for the local power supply.
Earlier, on October 30, all settlements in the occupied Luhansk region experienced a blackout, with footage showing smoke near the Luhansk TPP.
Additionally, on October 6, Russian forces struck energy infrastructure in the Donetsk region during the day.
