As tensions heightened, Russia used a big missile strike against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The eastern cities this morning were targeted as missiles fired at power systems. Ukraine's officials confirm cruise and ballistic missiles were deployed in the attack and have caused damage and killed many.
Kharkiv Targeted by Ballistic Missiles
At least six people were reported injured in a missile strike on Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the attack destroyed civilian non-residential infrastructure in the city. Ukraine's air forces confirmed the ballistic missile strike on Kharkiv, continuing the pattern of Russia's continued strikes against civilian and industrial targets in Ukraine.
Dnipropetrovsk Under Fire
Meanwhile, another significant Ukrainian region, Dnipropetrovsk, also became a target of an important attack: Russia launched a heavy assault on the Dnipro region to dismantle its power grid. The head of the region, Governor Serhiy Lysak, underlined how hard the assault had hit - basically, he indicated that Russian forces aimed to cripple the region's electrical infrastructure.
Strikes Again in Ukraine's Energy Sector
German Galushchenko, the energy minister of Ukraine, confirmed that the strikes indeed targeted the power sector. In turn, the country's transmission system operator imposed restrictions on electricity supplies to reduce the extent of the damage and manage the energy crisis.
This was the 13th major strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the beginning of 2024 after a spate of similar attacks that have plunged large swathes of the country into darkness. The damage inflicted on the country's generating capacity has led to hours-long blackouts for millions of Ukrainians, especially during the winter months when heating and electricity demands are at their peak.
DTEK Suffers Major Blow
DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, also reported that it was struck in the missile strike. The company claimed that its facilities suffered "serious damages" to the power equipment. It was the 13th powerful strike on the energy sector of Ukraine this year and the 10th on the facilities of DTEK. The operational activities of the company have faced a severe jolt due to continuous damage to its power plants and infrastructure in the current war.
Nationwide Air Alerts and Impact
The Ukrainian military, in turn, had issued a national air alert for people to shelter, in anticipation of the missile strikes. Indeed, the Russian strike continued to spread to parts of eastern, central southern and western Ukraine, according to local authorities who documented missile overflights across these regions.A Pattern of Escalation
This attack comes after a deadly missile barrage on November 17, when Russia launched 120 missiles and 90 drones that killed at least seven people and devastated Ukraine's power grid. The ongoing attacks on the energy infrastructure in Ukraine show how these installations have become a strategic node in the current war, with Russia trying to wear down Ukraine's resilience through attacks on its power supply.
While the war has continued, it's very clear that energy resources and infrastructure have been central in this conflict, leading to devastating consequences for civilians and impeding the nation's economic recovery. The world continues to watch closely as Ukraine works to rebuild and defend its critical infrastructure against continued Russian aggression.
Further updates on the situation as it develops.