Russia has launched a significant air strike on Ukraine’s energy grid, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack involved approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones, with Ukraine’s air defences managing to take down about 140 of them. Tragically, two people were killed in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, and six others were injured, including two children.
The primary target of the attack was Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in damage to various facilities across the country. As a result, emergency power outages have been reported in Kyiv and other regions. The private energy provider DTEK confirmed the power cuts, emphasizing that the Russian forces were specifically targeting electricity generation and transmission facilities.
In response to the attack, Ukraine’s foreign minister condemned the assault on peaceful cities and criticized politicians engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Minister highlighted the destructive nature of the air strikes, which resulted in significant damage to critical infrastructure and civilian casualties. President Zelenskyy has called for peace through strength and urged for international support in rebuilding the energy grid and enhancing aerial defense capabilities.
The aerial bombardment by Russian forces has already destroyed half of Ukraine’s energy production capacity, leading to major energy shortfalls as winter approaches. The country is in urgent need of assistance to repair the damaged infrastructure and bolster its defenses against future attacks. Poland has also heightened its security measures by monitoring its borders following the strikes.
Moreover, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, DTEK, reported that the air strikes caused serious damage to equipment at thermal power stations. The company’s facilities have been targeted multiple times since the conflict began in February 2022, underscoring the ongoing threat to Ukraine’s energy security. The situation remains critical as efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage and restore the affected infrastructure.
The recent attack represents one of the largest and most devastating assaults on Ukraine by Russian forces, highlighting the escalating conflict and the urgent need for international intervention. The targeting of energy infrastructure and residential areas underscores the indiscriminate nature of the attacks, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread damage. As the crisis unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution to the conflict and the restoration of peace in the region.
