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Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Energy Installations Targeted
In a disturbing escalation of conflict, Ukraine has reported that Russia launched a massive attack overnight targeting energy installations. According to reports, DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, stated that its four thermal power stations were hit in the attack.
“The enemy again massively shelled the Ukrainian energy facilities,” DTEK said in a statement. “The company’s equipment was seriously damaged. At this very moment, energy workers are trying to eliminate the consequences of the attack.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has once again called for swift delivery of further air defense weapons from Western allies following the attacks on crucial infrastructure. In a nightly video address, Zelenskiy highlighted that Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy sector had specifically targeted sites that supply gas to EU countries.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that the Russian strikes targeted regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk, with casualties reported. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 21 of 34 Russian missiles fired in the overnight attack, as per the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.
The targeting of Ukrainian power infrastructure by Russia has been on the rise, with reports indicating significant loss of thermal and hydropower capacity, leading to scheduled blackouts in several regions. Concurrently, a Russian oil refinery in the Krasnodar region suspended operations after a suspected drone attack.
In response to the heightened conflict, Ukrainian forces have reported holding off Russian advances in several areas. While claims of battlefield victories are made by both sides, independent verification is challenging due to the ongoing hostilities.
The situation remains tense, with both Ukraine and Russia bolstering their military presence in various regions. As the conflict continues to escalate, the impact on civilians and critical infrastructure raises concerns about the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
With reporting by Reuters.
