Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy grid, causing widespread power outages
In this handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on November 26, 2024, (AFP Photo)
Russia launched a major missile attack on Ukraine‘s energy infrastructure during the morning rush hour on Friday.
Explosions were heard in Odesa and other cities in western Ukraine. The strikes, which targeted power substations and gas infrastructure, are part of an ongoing effort to disrupt Ukraine’s energy system.
Ukrainian officials have announced longer power outages, although no immediate reports of casualties have emerged.
Key details
- Missile and drone strikes: The attack involved cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as at least 200 drones. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by F-16 fighter jets. At least one North Korean-made missile was also reported in the strike.
- Power outages: Ukrainian energy officials announced emergency power cuts, affecting around half of the 3.5 million customers of the Yasno power company. Authorities in the Lviv region confirmed damage to energy facilities, prompting changes to power cut schedules.
- Repeated attacks: This is part of Russia’s continued effort to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. So far this year, Ukraine has faced 11 waves of attacks on its power grid, resulting in widespread damage and power shortages across the country.
Why it matters?
Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure aim to weaken the country’s resilience. The damage to power systems has severely impacted civilians and created hardships across the country. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to repair the damage, these attacks have disrupted daily life and continue to strain the country’s ability to restore services.
What’s next?
In response to these strikes, Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, have called for the urgent delivery of air defense systems like NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T to protect against future missile and drone attacks.
With the war now approaching its 34th month, Ukraine continues to face significant challenges in restoring its energy grid and managing the ongoing conflict.
