Russia launches 'Massive' Attack on Ukraine Power Infrastructure

Ukraine faces severe energy infrastructure damage from repeated Russian attacks, prompting calls for increased Western military aid to prevent a winter crisis.

On Saturday, Ukraine reported a significant overnight attack by Russia on its energy infrastructure in the country's western and southern regions. The Ukrainian energy ministry confirmed that equipment at Ukrenergo facilities in the Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions was damaged, resulting in injuries to two employees in Zaporizhzhia who were subsequently hospitalized.

This latest incident marks the eighth large-scale, combined assault on energy infrastructure in the past three months. More than two years into the Russian invasion, these targeted missile and drone strikes have severely impacted Ukraine's electricity generation capacity. Consequently, Kyiv has had to impose blackouts and import energy supplies from the European Union.

Earlier in the week, Ukrainian authorities reported damage to energy infrastructure, including a power station, during another major overnight attack that left seven employees wounded. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, indicated that the strikes caused "serious damage" to one of its plants.

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Russian attacks have destroyed half of Ukraine's energy capacity. He emphasized the urgent need for all hospitals and schools in Ukraine to be equipped with solar panels to mitigate the impact of these attacks. "We are doing everything to ensure that Russian attempts to blackmail us on heat and electricity fail," Zelensky stated.

DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko warned of a severe crisis this winter if Ukraine's Western allies do not provide the necessary military aid to protect the energy network. Zelensky has consistently called for more air-defense systems from Ukraine's allies to safeguard the country's critical infrastructure.

In response, the US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Washington would prioritize delivering anti-air missiles to Kyiv, ahead of other countries awaiting similar shipments. Zelensky expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, "These additional air defense capabilities will protect Ukrainian cities and civilians."