Russia Unleashes Extensive Missile Attack on Ukraine's Energy System, Injuring Civilians
Russia pounded Ukraine's energy system with a wave of missiles on Wednesday morning, with a series of cities in the east particularly hard hit. Ukrainian officials said that cruise and ballistic missiles were involved in the strikes, adding to the increasingly heated fighting.
Kharkiv Badly Damaged by Ballistic Missiles
The northeastern Kharkiv was one of the worst-hit cities, as at least six people were reportedly wounded in a missile strike. The governor of the region of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, announced the news on the Telegram messaging app and added that there had been significant destruction to civilian non-residential infrastructure. The Ukrainian air forces confirmed that ballistic missiles were used in this strike.
Dnipropetrovsk Region Also Targeted
Apart from Kharkiv, heavy strikes also targeted the central Dnipropetrovsk area. Governor Serhiy Lysak described an enormous strike against the power system in the region. These are part of an unremitting Russian tactic of striking at Ukraine's infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector.
Widespread Power Disruptions
Ukraine's Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, in a Facebook post, said that the focus of the strikes from Russia was related to the power industry of the country. Its transmission system operator imposed restrictions on electricity supplies with the hope of reducing damages. This attack reportedly was the 13th high-profile assault this year against Ukraine's energy complex and has brought the country's generating capacity to the ground. Already, there have been several hours-long blackouts across the country due to earlier strikes at the energy grid.
DTEK's Facilities Under Attack
Another sufferer is DTEK, considered one of the largest private energy providers in the country, which said that their facilities had been heavily damaged. The company said in a post on Telegram that this attack seriously damaged the power equipment. It was the 10th attack against the company's energy facility, further evidence of the way the targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure persists.
Continuous Threats and Air Alerts
In turn, the Ukrainian military issued a countrywide air alert in response to the morning missile launches. Reports of missile overflights came from local authorities in eastern, central, southern, and western Ukraine, showing the scale of the attack.
Previous Attacks and Russia's Escalation
The strike was the latest in a spate of similar attacks; on November 17, 2024, Russia fired 120 missiles and 90 drones, killing at least seven people and causing significant damage to Ukraine's power systems. The intensity and frequency of missile strikes that Russia has launched against Ukraine's energy infrastructure have only grown, leaving the country grappling with severe power shortages and ongoing civilian casualties.
The steadfastness of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and civilian population is a focal point of this war, which is continuing unabated.