Russia launched over 70 missiles hitting Ukraine’s main energy infrastructure on Wednesday. In the attacks, three major thermal power stations were damaged; however the nation’s air force managed to shoot down the majority of missiles.
“Another massive attack on our energy industry!” Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on the Telegram app.
The attacks caused the national grid to cut power to nine regions in Ukraine, with more power cuts on a national level likely, Grid operator Ukrenergo cautioned.
Attacking Ukraine’s power plants is one way of impacting weapon production. The Ministry wrote: “As a result of the strike, Ukraine’s capabilities for the output of military products, as well as the transfer of Western weapons and military equipment to the line of contact, have been significantly reduced.”
The Ministry of Defense posted a statement two days before the attack, expressing desire to “create joint ventures with European defense companies.” The statement added: “The key goal of the ministry’s team is to provide the armed forces with modern and effective weapons.”
The attack hit multiple cities including Lviv, Zaporizhzia, and Kyiv, local authorities said. In addition to the energy facilities damage, a railway line and several homes were damaged. Following the attack, three people, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured, but no further casualties have been reported.
The attack coincides with Victory in Europe Day, which commemorates Germany’s surrender in World War II.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X, condemning President Vladimir Putin for the attack and calling him a “Nazi.”
Zelenskyy concluded his post by saying: “The entire world must understand who is who. The world must not give a chance to new Nazism.”