Wielding an unstoppable left hook, the Ukrainian sent Povetkin to the canvas on four separate occasions to force a unanimous decision from the judges, who all scored it 119-104 in Klitschko's favor.
Klitschko holds onto his WBA, WBF, WBO and IBO belts and improves to a 61-3 record, while Povetkin, who couldn't be roused by an 18,000-strong partisan crowd at the Olympiisky Sports Complex, slumps to his first defeat in 27 professional fights.
In a sign of things to come, the first round saw Klitschko land a powerful left as the edgy Russian tried to shake off the nerves in the biggest test of his career.
The same punch floored Povetkin in the second, leading the Russian Vityaz to seek the clinch to protect himself. Povetkin muddled through until round seven, when he survived a standing eight count from the referee on three occasions.
Klitschko was visibly exhausted after his Herculean efforts failed to knock out his opponent, and Povetkin landed a few consolation blows in the final rounds.
It was the first ever professional heavyweight world title fight between two Olympic heavyweight gold medalists.
Povetkin, like Klitschko, has been mostly based out of Germany during his career and this was only his sixth professional fight in his home country.
Earlier in the evening former heavyweight world champion Ruslan Chagaev said the WBA had agreed to allow him to fight for Povetkin's now-vacant WBA regular title.
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