In one of the largest assaults on Ukraine’s energy system, Russia launched 93 missiles, including one manufactured in North Korea, and nearly 200 drones on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. The attack has exacerbated the already dire energy crisis in Ukraine, as the country battles harsh winter temperatures around -6 degrees Celsius. With winter deepening, the latest strikes have forced authorities to impose extended power outages, leaving millions of civilians in the dark.
This marks Russia’s 12th major assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in 2024. It specifically targeted power substations and gas facilities, causing significant damage to energy facilities in several regions, including the western Lviv region, which borders Poland. The attack caused extensive harm to equipment at thermal power plants, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private power provider, which has suffered immense strain since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
While air defenses intercepted 81 of the 93 missiles, including 11 shot down by F-16 fighter jets, some missiles and drones successfully hit their targets, damaging key energy infrastructure. Officials stated that additional power cuts were now necessary due to the attack, with some areas seeing power outages lasting up to 11 hours. The strain on the energy grid is critical, as the International Atomic Energy Agency reported a reduction in power output at five of Ukraine’s nine operating nuclear reactor units due to the ongoing assault.
Zelenskyy strongly condemned the attacks, calling them part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to terrorize the Ukrainian people under the guise of peace negotiations. On social media platform X, he described the airstrike as part of a “terrorizing” strategy by Russia, urging a strong global response. He demanded the delivery of more advanced air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWK, and IRIS-T, to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against future attacks.
“This is Putin’s plan for ‘peace’ – to destroy everything. This is how he wants ‘negotiations’ – terrorising millions of people,” Zelenskyy said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, framed the strike as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, which targeted a Russian military airfield earlier this week. Moscow defended its actions, claiming that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which supports the military-industrial complex, was a legitimate target.
As the situation worsens, Ukraine continues to call for more support from Western nations to strengthen its defenses before any peace talks can take place. Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of military aid, stating, “We need force that will lead to peace.”
Despite the damage caused, the attack has not broken Ukraine’s resolve, with DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko describing the attack as “cynical” and an attempt to break the spirit of Ukrainians during one of the coldest days of the year.
This new escalation in Russia’s strategy comes as Russian forces have made significant gains in eastern Ukraine, intensifying their push to seize control of the industrial Donbas region. At the same time, expectations are growing for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office, which could bring about renewed efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. However, Ukraine remains adamant that it needs more Western assistance to strengthen its position before engaging in peace talks.
Sources By Agencies
