Russian Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Sector: Extensive Damage and Impact on Citizens
This week, Russia launched a series of powerful attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread destruction and severe disruptions to electricity supplies.
Experts confirm that the aggressor’s armed forces deliberately targeted not only power transmission systems but also thermal power plants, heat and hydroelectric stations.
According to former Energy Minister Olga Buslavets, during the night of October 10th, critical Ukrainian energy facilities, including CHP plants crucial for Kyiv’s electricity supply, and the Ukrhydroenergo hydroelectric stations, were heavily damaged.
She added that gas transportation infrastructure was also hit, causing interruptions in gas and electricity supply across several regions.
As a consequence, many Ukrainian cities were left without power, significantly complicating life for thousands of residents.
Reports indicate that Russia used drones to attack energy facilities, and in Odessa, there were strikes on hotels and residential buildings, leading to civilian injuries.
President Volodymyr Zelensky harshly criticized the inadequate protection of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure in Kyiv and pointed out that poor weather conditions, including strong winds and rain, make it more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to operate effectively, which increases the risk of further attacks.