Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure with a series of overnight missile strikes, causing considerable damage to power plants across several regions, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attacks, part of a broader strategy to cripple Ukraine's power supply, have plunged parts of the country into darkness and forced a nationwide call for energy conservation. This is reported by Moscow Times.
A Wide-Ranging Assault
Ukraine’s military detailed that the overnight operation saw Russian forces launching numerous missiles aimed specifically at energy facilities.
“Russian armed forces staged another massive missile attack on Ukraine," stated the Ukrainian army in their daily briefing.
The strikes particularly impacted the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv regions, causing damage to crucial equipment, Energy Minister German Galushchenko reported via Facebook.
The DTEK energy company, one of Ukraine's major power operators, reported severe damages at four of its thermal power plants.
This development threatens to exacerbate the already critical energy shortages experienced across the country.
Defensive Measures and Civilian Impact
Amid the chaos, Ukraine's air force managed to intercept a significant number of the missiles.
"Moscow fired 34 missiles, of which 21 were shot down," they reported, showcasing the relentless efforts of the Ukrainian defense systems against the aerial onslaught. Despite these efforts, the attack has not been without civilian impact.
In the central city of Kryvyi Rih, two individuals sustained injuries during the strikes, revealed Oleksandr Vilkul, president of the city's defense council, on Telegram.
Calls for Energy Conservation
The continuous attacks on energy infrastructure have led local leaders to urge residents to limit their use of power-hungry appliances.
Maksym Kozytski, the head of the Lviv region, appealed to citizens through Telegram, advising against the use of kettles, irons, washing machines, and microwaves during peak hours to help preserve the dwindling energy reserves.
In a tit-for-tat response, Ukraine is also reported to have launched significant drone attacks on Russian territories, including the southern Krasnodar region and the annexed Crimean peninsula.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have countered these efforts, stating,
"Our air defenses destroyed 66 Ukrainian drones over the territory of the Krasnodar region, and two more drones were destroyed over the Crimean peninsula."
