According to the regional head, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is currently without electricity, while over 53,000 households in Odesa are also experiencing power outages.
Ukraine’s energy minister, German Galushchenko, has accused Russia of attempting to trigger a widespread failure in the country’s energy infrastructure. Russia, in turn, claims that these actions are retaliatory measures following recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
Reports indicate at least five fatalities and 14 injuries as a result of the conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the urgent need for increased military assistance from Western allies, particularly in the form of additional air defense systems, stating that the recent surge in attacks underscores the necessity of swift aid.
Zelensky highlighted the intensity of the attacks, revealing that approximately 90 missiles and 60 Shahed drones were launched into Ukraine overnight. Among the targeted sites was the DniproHES, Ukraine’s largest dam in Zaporizhzhia, which sustained eight hits. Although video footage suggested the dam was ablaze, authorities have assured that there is no immediate risk of breach. However, a trolleybus crossing the dam during the attack caught fire, resulting in the death of the driver.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos caused by the onslaught, with one resident reporting their house shaking from the explosions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost connection to its main power line for nearly five hours following the Russian assaults, raising concerns about nuclear safety during the conflict.
Local officials in Zaporizhzhia reported significant destruction, with seven buildings destroyed and 35 others damaged. Strikes were also reported in Kryvyi Rih and Vinnytsia, causing damage to critical infrastructure.
Russia’s defense ministry claims that these attacks on Ukraine’s power grid are part of a series of retaliatory strikes against Kyiv for previous incursions into Russian territory. Additionally, officials in the Russian region of Belgorod reported casualties resulting from Ukrainian strikes near the border with Ukraine.
The recent assaults occurred following a significant airstrike by Russian forces on Kyiv, resulting in injuries to at least 17 individuals, including a child, due to falling debris.
The targeting of Ukraine’s energy grid has been a consistent tactic in Russia’s warfare against the country since 2022. Previous attacks orchestrated by Moscow have resulted in widespread power outages, leaving millions without access to essential services such as heating, electricity, and water. During the autumn and winter of 2022, around 17 million Ukrainians experienced prolonged periods without regular electricity supply due to these attacks.
Volodymyr Kudrytsky, the head of the Ukrainian grid operator, highlighted that the recent attacks surpassed previous ones in severity. He noted that dozens of grid facilities were targeted, particularly impacting Kharkiv, where Russia aimed to dismantle critical energy infrastructure.
President Zelensky has frequently condemned such assaults as “energy terrorism” perpetrated by Russia.
The White House denounced Thursday’s attacks and reiterated the urgent need for additional air defenses to be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible.
Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian commanders, accusing them of ordering attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
