Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure: seven regions of Ukraine have power outages
13 December 13:24
Russia massively attacked Ukrainian regions on Saturday, December 13, using 450 attack drones and 30 missiles of various types, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media, [Komersant] reports.
According to the head of state, the strikes targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, especially in southern Ukraine and Odesa region. The attacks damaged more than 10 civilian facilities across the country, “thousands of families are left without electricity after last night’s strikes in Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv regions,” Zelensky wrote.
Water supply was also disrupted in a number of regions, and emergency services are working to restore the infrastructure.
The Ministry of Energy clarified that Russia had attacked electricity generation, distribution and transmission facilities in Dnipro, Chernihiv, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. An anti-crisis headquarters will be deployed under the leadership of the head of the department, Oleksandr Vyazovchenko. In total, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, more than a million Ukrainians have been left without electricity. Most of the damage was recorded in Odesa region. According to Oleg Kiper, the head of the OVA, the region experienced “one of the most massive air attacks.” “The strikes caused fires, damaged administrative buildings and energy facilities,” he said, adding that two people were injured. According to DTEK, 20 substations in Odesa region were damaged as a result of Russian attacks.
In Odesa, the authorities have organized the supply of technical water and other resources to the city districts, and stabilization centers are operating on the ground, said Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. According to her, medical institutions and other social facilities have been switched to alternative power sources and generators.
“It is important for everyone to see what Russia is doing now. Every step they take in terror against our people, all attacks, because this is not about ending the war,” Zelensky wrote, calling for increased support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Moscow.
The previous massive attack on Ukrainian energy and transportation took place a week ago, on December 6. Back then, the Russian Armed Forces fired 653 drones and 51 missiles at the country, a record number since the end of October. The Ministry of Energy reported that energy facilities in eight regions across Ukraine were attacked.
