Ukrainian energy facilities in six regions have been left reeling after a comprehensive assault by Russian forces, marked by a combination of drones and missile attacks. The onslaught, described as one of the most expansive since the conflict’s escalation, began under the cover of darkness and continued for several hours.
Ukraine’s military detailed that approximately 21 drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, and around 55 missiles were employed in the assault. The country’s air defenses reportedly intercepted 20 drones and 39 missiles, a sizeable hit to the incoming offensive assets.
The waves of aerial attacks targeted critical infrastructure, notably the energy sector. Ukraine’s Energy Minister confirmed the strikes damaged energy generation and transmission systems. The state energy operator, Ukrenerho, has reported significant impairments to electricity generation facilities across multiple regions, including Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, framing them as acts of terror on Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day and called for the global community to recognize the threat posed by the resurgence of what he termed “new Nazism.”
Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko announced on May 5 that Russian forces have escalated air assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities, opting for the warmer season over the heating season. These synchronized attacks follow a string of strikes that have specifically targeted Ukraine’s energy industry, indicating a shift in Russia’s strategy to prioritize these key installations. The total impact of these offensives on Ukraine’s energy grid is estimated to have surpassed one billion dollars.
The attacks have yielded significant impacts, resulting in widespread blackouts. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million people were without electricity following the latest series of strikes. Civilians have been urged to conserve electricity as the country grapples with the devastation to its power supply.
Ukrainian air defense forces, including fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units, were engaged in thwarting the aerial assault.Russia’s strategy of targeting energy infrastructure is viewed as an effort to demoralize both the Ukrainian populace and military. This adds pressure during a time when energy provision has been relatively stable.
Relevant articles:
– Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure in sweeping assault in 6 regions , ABC News, 05/08/2024
– Russia Launches Overnight Missile Attack, Targets Critical Infrastructure Across Ukraine, Kyiv Post, 05/08/2024
– Russia most likely stocking missiles to conduct new massive air strikes on Ukraine – Air Force speaker, Yahoo Singapore News, 05/07/2024
– Ukraine war: ‘Massive new strike’ targets energy grid as 1.5 million left without power, Yahoo Canada Shine On, 05/06/2024