Ukraine reported a “massive” wave of Russian strikes targeting its energy infrastructure early Friday, cutting power to large areas of the capital Kyiv and several other regions as Moscow renews its winter campaign to cripple the country’s power grid.
The strikes, described by officials as among the most extensive in weeks, left tens of thousands without electricity, water, or heating.
Ukrainian authorities said the attacks, which began in late September, have become almost daily and appear aimed at plunging the country into darkness ahead of freezing winter temperatures.
“It is Russia’s goal to leave us in darkness, without water and heat,” said Mykola Kalashnik, governor of the Kyiv region, adding that around 28,000 families in the Brovary and Boryspil districts had lost power.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 12 people were injured in Friday’s assault, which knocked out electricity on the city’s left bank and disrupted water supplies. “Emergency workers are doing everything possible to restore power and ensure safety,” he said.
6Video footage released by Ukraine’s emergency services showed firefighters battling a huge blaze at a construction site and rescuing residents trapped by debris.
In the Poltava region, more than 16,500 households and 800 businesses were without electricity, governor Volodymyr Kogut reported. The energy ministry said repair crews were “taking all necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences.”
The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia also came under attack, where a 7-year-old boy was killed and dozens injured, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.
“In Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and other regions, many people remain without power following Russian strikes on civilian energy objects,” he added.
Dnipropertrovsk governor Sehiy Lysak said four people were wounded in his region, where Ukrainian air defenses intercepted around 60 drones overnight.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week that Russia had launched approximately 1,550 attacks on energy infrastructure across several regions, including Chernihiv, Sumy and Poltava, resulting in at least 160 direct hits.
He praised Ukraine’s air defenses for preventing further devastation.
“They are being shot down. And they are being shot down hard,” Zelenskyy said. “The energy sector must be protected, and we will protect it.”
Last winter, Russian strikes left more than half a million households in the Kharkiv region without heating during freezing conditions.
With temperatures soon expected to drop, Ukrainian officials fear the renewed campaign could bring similar hardship.
Source: CNN
Written By Rodney Mbua
