KYIV (Reuters) – Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities in a major airstrike early on Wednesday, causing serious damage at three Soviet-era thermal power plants, Kyiv officials said.
The air force said it shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 out of 21 attack drones used in the attack, which piles more pressure on Ukraine’s beleaguered energy system more than two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
“Another massive attack on our energy industry!” Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on the Telegram app.
Two people were injured in the Kyiv region and one was hurt in the Kirovohrad region, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.
Some 350 rescuers were racing to minimise the damage caused to multiple energy facilities, 30 homes, public transport vehicles, cars and a fire station, he said.
Power generation and transmission facilities in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia regions were targeted, Galushchenko said.
The strike was the latest in a wave of attacks on critical energy infrastructure that began in March.
Authorities have imposed rolling blackouts due to recent attacks. Their full impact may emerge during peak energy consumption in summer and winter.
Furthermore, the airstrike underscores the volatile situation in the region and the ongoing struggle for control between Russia and Ukraine.
The recent Russia airstrike on Ukraine underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further aggression. The international community must condemn such acts of aggression and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Additionally, increased surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms are crucial to monitor and deter future attacks. It is imperative for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further destabilization of the region.
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