Kyiv: Ukraine announced on Thursday that a “massive” Russian missile attack targeted the nation’s energy infrastructure. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated on Facebook that the energy sector is under significant assault, with strikes on energy facilities occurring throughout Ukraine. Emergency power cuts were implemented by the country’s power grid operator, Ukrenergo, as Halushchenko mentioned that damage assessment would take place when the security situation permits.

According to Anadolu Agency, Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported on Telegram that missile fragments landed on an enterprise in the Darnytskyi district of the capital, damaging several outbuildings. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Governor Oleh Synyehubov noted that a civilian enterprise sustained damage in the attack. Local authorities across various Ukrainian regions, including Lviv, Rivne, and Volyn, reported power outages.

The private energy provider DTEK confirmed that power cuts by Uk
renergo have impacted Kyiv, along with the Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions. Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s national railway company Ukrzaliznytsia stated that over 150 of its trains continue to operate on schedule, even as power cuts affected certain sections of the railway system due to the missile strikes.

Ukraine’s Air Force later announced that its air defenses successfully intercepted 79 out of 91 missiles and 35 out of 97 drones launched by Russia since late Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized on X the critical need for advanced air defense systems, advocating for systems that actively save lives. He added that Ukraine is actively collaborating with its partners to strengthen its defensive capabilities, expedite arms deliveries, and implement agreements, particularly regarding air defense systems.