In the early hours of Friday, a familiar sense of urgency gripped Ukraine. Air raid sirens wailed across the country, urging residents to seek shelter.
The sound, now a grim part of daily life for many, carried the weight of another large-scale assault, according to Digi24.
For nearly a year, Ukraine's energy sector has endured relentless attacks. With winter in full swing, the stakes have never been higher.
Power outages leave families shivering in cold homes, while damaged infrastructure hampers daily life. The resilience of Ukrainians, though remarkable, faces new tests with each passing day.
Launched 120 Missiles
This time, the attack was massive. Russia launched over 120 missiles, including advanced ballistic and hypersonic types, targeting energy facilities and other infrastructure.
Regions such as Odesa, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr bore the brunt of the assault. Explosions rocked Odesa, while air defenses sprang into action near Kyiv to intercept incoming threats.
Energy Minister Gherman Galușcenko described the attack as an act of terror.
“The enemy continues its campaign to spread fear and destruction. Our energy sector remains under relentless attack,” he wrote.
The national grid operator, Ukrenergo, imposed additional restrictions on electricity use to manage the strain.
Ukrainian officials are calling for immediate international support. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's foreign minister, issued an urgent plea for 20 air defense systems like NASAMS and IRIS-T to protect the country.
“Russia seeks to deprive us of energy. We must deprive them of their ability to terrorize,” he said.
This marks the 12th major strike on Ukraine’s power infrastructure in 2024.
Each wave brings new challenges, from repairing critical systems to ensuring civilian access to heat and light. Despite ongoing repairs, the scale of destruction makes complete restoration difficult.
