Half of Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure Damaged by Russian Airstrikes
Crowds of Citizens Buying LED Lights, Backup Batteries, Generators, and More
On the 22nd (local time), doctors at a hospital in southern Kherson performed an amputation surgery on the left arm of a 13-year-old boy injured in a Russian military attack in a dark operating room. Photo by AP and Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Ukrainian citizens, suffering from power shortages due to the destruction of energy infrastructure caused by large-scale Russian airstrikes, are adapting to darkness and cold.
On the 29th (local time), The Washington Post and others reported that as Ukraine's energy infrastructure was destroyed, causing repeated power outages and water shortages, citizens are preparing countermeasures using portable batteries, generators, and candles.
On the 23rd, during a heart surgery on a 14-year-old boy at a hospital in the capital Kyiv, the power was cut off. On that day, Russia launched about 70 missiles across Ukraine, causing a temporary blackout in the operating room. However, the medical staff, unable to stop the surgery, immediately operated a generator and completed the surgery safely while holding flashlights. A similar incident occurred the day before at a hospital in southern Kherson, where a child's arm amputation surgery was underway. After several explosions were heard, all the lights in the operating room went out, but the medical staff continued the surgery using flashlights and other light sources.
Borys Todurov, director of the Heart Institute, said, "Russia's brutal acts are further uniting Ukrainian society," adding, "Everyone is working for victory without exception."
According to reports, Ukrainian hairdressers are relying on cellphone lights to cut hair, and musicians are performing in concert halls lit by candles. Electronics stores are crowded with citizens trying to buy LED lights, portable batteries, and generators.
Due to recent concentrated bombings of energy facilities by Russia, Ukraine is experiencing power shortages nationwide. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that more than 50% of energy facilities have been damaged by Russia's successive airstrikes.
As the winter season with increased energy demand approaches, international concern for Ukraine is growing. Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, warned at a press conference on the 21st, "Currently, half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, and about 10 million people are experiencing power outages," adding, "This winter will threaten the lives of millions of Ukrainians." He continued, "Due to (Russia's) attacks on health and energy infrastructure, hundreds of hospitals and medical facilities are no longer functioning properly, and shortages of fuel, water, and electricity are worsening."
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