Ukraine stated that Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities during the Friday (December 13) morning rush hour, along with assaults on the Black Sea port of Odesa and other cities in western Ukraine.
President Zelensky of Ukraine stated that Russia fired at least 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, including missiles from North Korea. 81 missiles were intercepted, with 11 of them being taken down by Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets.
Zelensky said that Moscow’s military also deployed nearly 200 drones, describing the attack as “one of the biggest blows to our energy network”.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated, “The enemy continues its terror. Ukraine’s energy sector has once again been subjected to a large-scale attack.”
National energy operator Ukrenergo reported that energy facilities in multiple regions were damaged, repair works are underway, but the scope of emergency power outages is expected to widen.
An industry insider informed Reuters that Friday’s attack primarily targeted Ukraine’s substations, and the impact on natural gas infrastructure from this attack is more severe compared to previous assaults.
During the attack, the energy sector announced extended emergency power outages, without specifying whether it was due to new damage or precautionary measures. Ukraine has not reported casualties from the incident.
On Friday morning, the private electricity company Yasno reported that about half of its 3.5 million customers experienced power outages.
The extent of damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is difficult to assess. Following multiple attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s power grid, Ukrainian officials have not detailed the outcomes of the attacks and the status of the network.
Authorities in the Lviv region of western Ukraine confirmed that Russia targeted local energy facilities, necessitating adjustments to blackout plans, indicating damage to the region’s energy infrastructure.
Russia claims it does not target civilian infrastructure, considering power systems as military targets.
Ukraine’s energy system has already faced 11 waves of attacks this year, leading to widespread damage and prolonged power outages nationwide.
(This article references reports from Reuters and Kyiv Independent)