Ukraine Ministry of Energy "8 Large-Scale Attacks Since March"
Russia launched large-scale missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure across Ukraine. At least two people were injured, and power supply disruptions are reportedly increasing.
According to major foreign media on the 22nd, Ukraine's state-owned power company Ukrenergo announced that energy facilities in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region and the western Lviv region were attacked twice this week, causing some damage. Two employees of the Zaporizhzhia energy facility were hospitalized due to injuries from the attack. Zaporizhzhia is home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy also reported that gas infrastructure in the west was attacked. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed 16 cruise missiles and 13 attack drones in this assault, and Ukraine's air defense systems shot down most of them except for four missiles. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that it conducted airstrikes using long-range missiles and drones targeting energy facilities supporting the Ukrainian military.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Russia is intensifying airstrikes on energy infrastructure. Consequently, Ukraine's power generation capacity has plummeted to less than half, severely disrupting electricity supply and significantly threatening the daily lives of Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy stated in a press release, "Since March, there have been eight large-scale enemy attacks on the power system, and difficulties in the energy sector continue."
Accordingly, Ukraine plans to increase electricity imports from Europe to an all-time high. Additionally, Ukrenergo announced that nationwide power outage hours will be extended from 2 p.m. to midnight, longer than the current schedule.
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