Ukraine says power supply faces ‘increasing threat’ amid deadly Russian attack

Russia decimates Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in two years of war (File)

Kiev, Ukraine:

Ukraine warned on Friday that Russian airstrikes faced a “growing threat” to its electricity supply, hours after the strikes damaged a power plant and killed at least one person.

Moscow has stepped up aerial bombardments in Ukraine in recent weeks, targeting energy infrastructure in response to deadly attacks on Ukraine’s border with Russia.

Authorities said a Russian drone killed a 39-year-old man and wounded another near the southeastern city of Nikopol, while an airstrike in Kamensko in the north wounded five people, including one children.

“Last night, Russia continued its brutal attack on Ukraine’s energy system. Emergency blackouts were imposed in some areas,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal said.

He said the attack demonstrated Ukraine’s urgent need for more air defense systems, a request Kyiv has repeatedly made to its Western allies as its energy sector comes under pressure.

“Enemy attacks have become more frequent and large-scale, posing an increasing threat to Ukraine’s energy security,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a briefing that it had used “long-range air, sea and land-based precision weapons” to target energy facilities, but said the weapons were being used by Ukraine’s “armed forces.”

“Save electricity”

During two years of war, Russia has launched a ferocious attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which President Volodymyr Zelensky has called “energy terrorism” and which the United Nations has outlawed.

The Air Force said Moscow fired 99 missiles and drones at Ukraine’s “fuel and energy sectors” during the night, of which 84 were shot down.

“Russian missiles attacked thermal and hydroelectric power plants,” state grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement.

“Currently, restrictions are in place in the Krivoy Rog and Kharkiv regions. In the evening, restrictions may be imposed in the eastern and Dnipro regions,” the statement said.

“Please conserve electricity,” the company added.

DTEK, one of the country’s main energy suppliers, said three thermal power plants were attacked in barrages and the facilities were “severely damaged”.

“Immediately following the attack, electrical engineers began dealing with the aftermath,” the company said in a statement online, adding that one employee was injured.

The attack damaged power infrastructure in four regions of central and western Ukraine, causing blackouts and disrupting train traffic, the energy ministry said.

On the front line, Ukraine has been struggling with ammunition shortages and been forced into a defensive posture over the past few months as Washington delayed a $60 billion aid package.

Its armed forces commander Alexander Silsky said on Friday that the situation in some areas of the battlefield was “tense”.

“The Russian occupiers continue to increase their efforts and have numerical superiority in personnel,” he said.

“In addition, the enemy is carrying out heavy artillery and mortar fire,” he added.

“Just a few days ago, the enemy’s advantage in firing munitions was about six to one.”

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