Vladimir Putin initiated a series of intense missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, causing widespread power outages in Kyiv. Reports indicate that Russian strikes targeted several hydroelectric power plants and thermal generating stations in anticipation of dropping temperatures across the country. Key areas such as Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Sumy experienced critical infrastructure damage and electricity cuts.
Following a relentless seven-hour assault utilizing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and aerial bombs, residents were advised to conserve gas usage. A significant blackout occurred on Kyiv’s left bank after an attack on the CHP-6 power and heating plant, leaving up to 70% of the city without electricity. This assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is being regarded as one of the most severe in the ongoing conflict, coincidentally occurring three years after the initial strikes on power plants.
In the capital city of Ukraine, a dozen individuals sustained injuries as their residential tower block in the Pechersk district was targeted. The metro rail system experienced disruptions due to power failures, while Putin has already disrupted over half of Ukraine’s gas supplies in preparation for the winter season.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko assured that emergency teams are closely monitoring the situation and prepared to respond, highlighting the challenges with electricity and water supply on the left bank. Tragically, a seven-year-old boy in Zaporizhzhia lost his life in the latest civilian casualty from the conflict.
Noteworthy targets of the attacks included the Kremenchuk Hydroelectric Power Station and the Kryvyi Rih Thermal Power Plant in Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown. Russian state media’s war reporter Andrey Rudenko callously referred to the energy strikes as potentially fatal for Zelensky.
Russian military sources praised the strategic dismantling of Ukraine’s energy system, emphasizing the goal of sustained disruption. Ukrainian officials, including Nikolay Lukashuk from the Dnipropetrovsk regional council, warned the population to brace for challenging circumstances, anticipating Russian tactics aimed at weakening the country’s resolve.
In response to the devastating energy strikes, Ukraine vowed retaliation, threatening to disrupt Russia’s infrastructure. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office, issued a stern warning that any attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure would be met with a forceful response. These attacks occurred shortly after General Valery Gerasimov, a top commander in Putin’s regime, promised escalated military actions against Ukraine.
Putin, marking his 73rd birthday, declared an indefinite continuation of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of meeting military objectives. Military analysts like Mikhail Khodaryonok noted the deliberate focus on destroying Ukraine’s energy facilities as a key strategy for ending the conflict on Russian terms.
The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential escalation in the conflict, with no clear end in sight.