In a brazen attack on Saturday, Russia targeted Ukrainian energy facilities in three regions, causing significant damage and injuring at least one energy worker, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The strikes hit the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine, as well as the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, reported that its four thermal power stations were among the targets.
“The enemy again massively shelled the Ukrainian energy facilities,” DTEK said in a statement. “The company’s equipment was seriously damaged. At this very moment, energy workers are trying to eliminate the consequences of the attack.”
Since March 22, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Ukraine’s power sector, targeting thermal and hydropower stations almost daily. This has resulted in Ukraine losing about 80% of its thermal generation and 35% of its hydropower capacity.
Despite mild spring weather, Ukraine has been grappling with an electricity deficit, leading to scheduled electricity cut-offs in several regions and emergency electricity imports.
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian air defense successfully shot down 13 Russian missiles in the Dnipropetrovsk region, but not without consequences. Governor Serhiy Lysak reported that energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk and Kryvyi Rih regions were damaged, with fires breaking out and water supply disruptions in Kryvyi Rih.
The ongoing conflict continues to take a toll on Ukraine’s infrastructure and population, with no immediate end in sight.