Ukraine has reported a "massive" overnight attack on its energy facilities by Russian forces, marking the latest in a series of assaults aimed at crippling the nation's power grid. This attack is the eighth targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the past three months, according to Ukraine's energy ministry.
Ukraine's air defence systems managed to intercept 12 of the 16 missiles and all 13 drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force reported. Despite these efforts, two energy workers were injured and hospitalised in the Zaporizhzhia region. Additionally, energy equipment in the western city of Lviv sustained damage, and in the south-western region of Ivano-Frankivsk, authorities reported damage to houses and a kindergarten.
Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukrainian energy targets since the spring, resulting in frequent blackouts across the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Moscow's strikes have destroyed half of Ukraine's electricity-generating capacity since late March. The recent attack on Saturday night is the second this week, following an assault on Thursday that injured seven energy workers and damaged key infrastructure, including a power station.
To cope with the energy shortfall, Ukraine is importing electricity from the European Union. However, this is insufficient to meet the country's needs, leading to planned nationwide blackouts to protect critical infrastructure such as hospitals and military facilities. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of one of Ukraine's largest private energy companies, DTEK, emphasised the urgency of international support, stating, "We urgently need to close our skies or Ukraine faces a serious crisis this winter."
President Zelensky has consistently urged Ukraine's allies to provide more air defence systems. Specifically, he has requested seven Patriot air defence systems from the United States. Ivan Fedorov, the governor of Zaporizhzhia, echoed this call for support, stating on Telegram, "We can say for sure: the enemy will not stop. Ukraine needs air defence systems."
In response to Ukraine's pleas, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced on Thursday that the United States would prioritise Ukraine for Patriot deliveries, ahead of other countries that have ordered these systems. This commitment underscores the urgent need to bolster Ukraine's air defence capabilities amid ongoing attacks on its critical infrastructure.
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