Russia has intensified its systematic campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching a massive missile and drone assault that caused widespread power outages and disruptions across eight regions on Thursday. This latest attack targeted key gas facilities in eastern Ukraine, leading to emergency power cuts.
Ukrainian officials confirmed injuries and significant damage, with critical energy operations halted. Emergency services are actively working across affected areas to restore services.
This offensive marks the latest in Moscow’s annual winter strategy since its 2022 invasion, which has consistently aimed to disrupt Ukraine’s energy supplies. The International Criminal Court previously designated such attacks on civilian infrastructure as war crimes, issuing arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officials last year for these actions.
Naftogaz CEO Sergiy Koretsky stated that “damage and destruction occurred in several regions simultaneously. The operation of several extremely critical facilities has been halted.” Ukraine’s energy grid operator announced emergency power cuts following the assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged, “There are injured,” as restoration efforts began. He has repeatedly urged Western nations to maintain “pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This pressure, Zelenskyy said, includes sanctions and potentially delivering long-range military capabilities to Ukrainian forces, enabling them to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 320 drones and 37 missiles in the latest barrages. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 283 drones and five missiles.
Most of the attacks focused on the northern Kharkiv region and the eastern Poltava region. A gas production facility belonging to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, was shut down in Poltava. Previous Russian attacks have disrupted approximately 60% of Ukraine’s gas production and left hundreds of thousands without electricity.
President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden on Friday to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.