Russia Launches Aerial Attack on Ukraine’s Energy Sector
On Thursday, the Russian military launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, triggering emergency power outages across the country as temperatures dropped to near freezing. This marks the latest escalation in Russia’s strategy to target Ukraine’s energy grid, which has been heavily bombed since the invasion began in February 2022. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of using “terror” tactics by attempting to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and deny civilians heating during the cold winter months.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, confirmed that the country’s power infrastructure was under “massive enemy attack” following the launch of a nationwide air alert. The Air Force reported that Russian cruise missiles and attack drones were heading towards key cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. The attacks have resulted in emergency power cuts, with regions such as Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Donetsk facing power shortages.
As temperatures fell to around 0°C (32°F), the National power grid operator, Ukrenergo, was forced to implement urgent emergency power outages. Galushchenko indicated that the full consequences of the strikes would be assessed once the security situation allowed for it.
In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, condemned the attacks, stating that Russia was continuing its tactics of terror. He also noted that Russia had stockpiled missiles to attack Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians throughout the winter. The United Nations has previously warned that Russia’s persistent strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid could make this winter one of the most challenging since the war began.
This wave of attacks follows a broader military escalation, with both sides deploying new weapons. Ukraine has recently used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to target Russian border regions, prompting Russia to retaliate with advanced hypersonic ballistic missiles, including one fired at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
In parallel, Russian authorities claimed to have shot down 25 Ukrainian drones in overnight attacks, including several over the southern Krasnodar region, close to the Crimean peninsula. A woman was reported injured by falling debris from one of the drones in the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban.
The timing of the attacks coincides with significant political developments, as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump named retired General Keith Kellogg as his Ukraine envoy, a move aimed at facilitating a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Trump’s campaign promises of negotiating a ceasefire deal have raised concerns in Kyiv, fearing potential pressure to cede territory. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has pushed for lowering the conscription age in Ukraine to 18 to address manpower shortages along the front lines.
The situation remains dire, with both sides preparing for continued confrontations ahead of a particularly harsh winter.
