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Ukrainian Electricity Provider Warns of Blackouts Amid Ongoing Attacks by Russia
Ukraine’s electricity provider, Ukrenerho, has issued a warning of potential blackouts and restrictions on July 1 due to the combined effects of Russia’s ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure and increased demand caused by high summer temperatures.
The warning comes as Ukraine’s Air Force has issued a missile and air-raid alert for most regions of the country, including the capital city of Kyiv, following a Russian drone strike in the eastern city of Dnipro that left at least seven civilians injured.
Reports from officials late on June 30 indicated that three people, including a child, were injured in a rocket strike in the Kyiv region, which damaged several private houses and vehicles.
With temperatures forecasted to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country on July 1, Ukrenerho urged Ukrainians to monitor their electricity consumption and avoid using high-demand appliances simultaneously. The company also noted that neighboring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova were providing electricity supplies to help meet demand in Ukraine.
However, Ukrenerho highlighted that the damage from Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure has been significant, making it difficult to maintain the balance in the energy system. Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s electrical grid for months, resulting in frequent power outages and significant damage to the country’s thermal-generation capacity.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged the European Union to increase electricity exports to Ukraine and provide the necessary resources for repairs to address the impact of the ongoing attacks by Russia. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of protecting the energy sector, stating that it is a fundamental aspect of normal human life.
Recent reports indicate that Russia conducted its eighth large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy grid in the past three months, causing damage to power transmission systems in several regions. Additionally, the Russian city of Belgorod reported power outages in response to Ukrainian drone attacks targeting a substation.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 36 drones in three regions near the Ukrainian border, although these claims have not been independently verified.
In response to the attacks by Russia, Ukraine has also targeted fuel-production sites in Russia, particularly oil-refining facilities that serve the Russian military.
As tensions escalate and the energy sector remains a target in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the situation continues to pose challenges for both countries and the region as a whole.
