Ukraine Faces Widespread Power Outages Following Russian Infrastructure Attacks
KYIV, Ukraine – Millions of Ukrainians are grappling with electricity, heating, and water cuts following a massive wave of Russian strikes targeting the country’s energy infrastructure from Friday to Saturday. Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grinchuk described the attacks as “one of the hardest nights” sence russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Grinchuk stated, “It is tough to remember such a large number of direct strikes on energy installations.”
The state-owned power company Centerenergo reported its production capacity was “reduced to zero” after what it called “the most massive strike…since the beginning of the invasion.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of deliberately targeting substations powering the Khmelnytsky and Rivne nuclear power plants, calling the attacks “not accidental.” He further stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Russia has once again targeted the substations that power the Khmelnytsky and Rivne nuclear power plants.” Sybiha denounced the strikes as creating “unacceptable risks” for nuclear security in Europe and called for an urgent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.
As of Sunday, technicians are working to restore power, but Ukrenergo, the state utility, warned that most regions will likely experience electricity cuts for eight to sixteen hours daily during repairs and the deployment of alternative energy sources.
the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its strikes targeted “companies of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and the gas and energy facilities that support thier operations.”
These attacks echo previous campaigns that have left millions without power in Ukraine, raising concerns about a difficult winter for civilians.
