Over 1 million affected by Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid
Ukraine’s critical infrastructure has once again been targeted by Russian attacks.
Towns in nine regions were hit by drones and missiles, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, heating, or water in Kherson, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv. Several private businesses and apartment buildings were damaged.
This is the second major attack by the Russians on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this month, disrupting power supplies to over one million people in the west, south, and central regions of the country. Russian forces launched 16 Shahed-type attack drones, 15 of which were destroyed, and one was lost in the area. In the Mykolaiv region, two fires broke out from the debris of the downed drones. There were no casualties or injuries, but several critical infrastructure facilities were damaged.
The strikes also caused power outages in Mykolaiv, leaving the city’s residents without water, electricity, and heating. In Mykolaiv, which before the war had a population of nearly half a million, trolleybuses no longer run, and the entire city is filled with the loud hum of generators. Small and medium-sized businesses are forced to generate their own power, though some stores are left in the dark because they are without electricity.
“Sales were already bad. Clothing is not essential. Food is essential, especially today,” says a saleswoman. “Because when the power is cut off according to a schedule, you can plan your work, and people know they can come at specific times. But today, since this morning, the situation is unclear. It’s freezing inside, and the payment terminal and the cash register aren’t working. I can’t offer services to customers, the merchandise on display isn’t visible, and the clothes can’t be tried on. But we’ll get through this; thank God we’re alive.”
Russia has carried out the second major attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this month, leaving over one million people without power. According to Kyiv, damages have been reported at infrastructure facilities in nine regions. The attack has increased concerns about prolonged power outages during the winter months. Ukrainian officials say that since March, this is the 11th major attack on the country’s energy system.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
