According to officials, Russia has launched a huge attack against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with the aim of affecting the nation’s power grid.
According to Ukraine’s energy ministry, this is Russia’s sixth attack on energy infrastructure installations in the last three months.
According to the Ukrainian air force, air defense systems downed all 13 of Russia’s drones and 12 of its 16 missiles that were fired at various locations throughout the night.
At least four explosions were reported in the city of Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, later on Saturday, according to officials. Three persons were killed and at least eighteen injured by Russian guided bombs.
“This is one more terrorist attack, a precise attack on civilian infrastructure. There is nothing of military interest in this district,” Kharkiv’s regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov stated.
According to officials, two energy workers in the central Zaporizhzhia region were injured by the infrastructure attacks that occurred overnight, while equipment in the western city of Lviv was destroyed.
The officials also reported damage to homes and a kindergarten in the southwest of Ivano-Frankivsk.
Throughout the spring and early summer, Russia has escalated its campaign of strikes against Ukrainian energy targets, resulting in frequent blackouts throughout the nation. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently declared that since Moscow started attacking his nation’s energy facilities in late March, half of his nation’s capacity to generate electricity has been damaged.
Read Also: Japan’s Record Spike in Deadly Infections: Probing the Strep Enigma
According to Ukrainian authorities, a significant attack that occurred overnight left energy infrastructure, including a power plant, destroyed and seven people injured.
The European Union provides electricity to Ukraine, although this does not fully offset the shortfall.
This indicates that a scheduled nationwide blackout is implemented on most days to safeguard vital infrastructure, including hospitals and military installations.
“We urgently need to close our skies or Ukraine faces a serious crisis this winter,” the chief executive DTEK, of one of Ukraine’s largest private energy companies, Maxim Timchenko stated.
“My plea to allies is to help us defend our energy system and rebuild in time.”
Mr. Zelensky has urged the allies of Ukraine to provide additional air defense systems on several occasions. He has specifically asked the US for seven very advanced air defense systems known as Patriots.
Zaporizhzhia’s governor, Ivan Fedorov, reiterated Mr. Zelensky’s remarks early on Saturday morning in a message shared on Telegram.
“We can say for sure: the enemy will not stop. Ukraine needs air defence systems.” he stated.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated on Thursday that Washington will prioritize Ukraine over other nations that have placed orders for Patriot missiles.
