Russian Missile and Drone Attack Causes Blackouts for Over a Million Ukrainians
In a devastating assault on Friday morning, a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack damaged power plants in Ukraine, leading to blackouts for more than a million residents. Ukrainian officials described it as one of the war’s most significant assaults on energy infrastructure, resulting in at least three deaths and 15 injuries.
The attack, which targeted key power facilities, caused chaos in cities like Kharkiv, where traffic lights were out, and the water supply was disrupted. In Zaporizhzhia, the country’s largest hydroelectric dam was engulfed in flames, while a power line supplying a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant was temporarily knocked out.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, condemned the attack, stating that the goal was not just to damage but to potentially cause a large-scale failure of the country’s energy system. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 63 Iranian-made “Shahed” attack drones and 88 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, in the assault.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s actions, highlighting the disparity between the swift missile attacks and the delayed military assistance promised by some Western countries. The assault marked a shift in Russia’s rhetoric, with the Kremlin acknowledging that the conflict had escalated to a state of war due to increased Western involvement on the Ukrainian side.
The assault on Friday mirrored Russia’s previous air campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid during the first winter of the war. Despite efforts to fortify energy infrastructure, the attack caused widespread power outages in seven regions, prompting urgent energy assistance from neighboring countries.
As Ukraine grapples with the aftermath of the attack, efforts are underway to restore power and repair damaged facilities. The assault serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict’s devastating impact on civilians and critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
