Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, faces extensive power outages as Russian missile and drone strikes continue to target the country’s energy infrastructure. On Thursday, June 20, Russian forces launched a significant assault on power facilities across four regions, causing severe damage to a thermal power plant and putting further strain on Ukraine’s electricity grid.
The latest attacks damaged infrastructure in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Kyiv regions, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. As a result, entire districts in Kyiv are disconnected from the power grid during the daytime to conserve energy. Traffic lights are out, leading to traffic congestion, and the constant hum of generators outside cafes and shops fills the air.
Ukrainian officials reported that these strikes have halved the country’s power generation capacity since March. The energy ministry confirmed that the latest attack wounded seven workers and cut off electricity to over 218,000 consumers.
President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that these attacks have significantly disrupted electricity production, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet energy demands, especially as colder months approach.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that energy facilities are legitimate military targets and described some of the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have led to rolling blackouts and forced utilities to ration household supplies.
DTEK, a major Ukrainian energy company, reported severe damage to one of its thermal power plants, injuring three employees. This marks the seventh major attack on DTEK facilities in the past three months, contributing to over 180 attacks since the invasion began.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national grid operator, indicated that the country has lost 9.2 gigawatts of electricity generating capabilities due to the ongoing attacks. Despite the capacity to import 2.2 gigawatts of electricity from European countries, Ukraine is currently importing only 1.7 gigawatts.
Officials have repeatedly called on allied countries to provide more air defense systems to protect Ukraine’s power plants from Russian missiles and drones. The head of Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kydrytskyi, warned that the situation would likely worsen in the coming weeks, with potential winter blackouts lasting up to 20 hours without light or heating under the worst conditions.
The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting and destroying five out of nine missiles and all 27 drones launched by Russia over 10 Ukrainian regions during Thursday’s attack. Despite these defensive efforts, the damage inflicted on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains a significant concern.
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