Russia carried out its most extensive air strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, targeting a vast dam and causing widespread destruction, according to reports from Kyiv.
The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least five people and left over a million others without electricity, prompted emergency measures from Ukraine. Neighboring countries such as Poland, Romania, and Slovakia rushed to provide emergency power supplies as seven Ukrainian regions faced blackouts.
The assault, described as the largest of its kind since the conflict began, evoked memories of previous attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, emphasizing the toll it takes on civilians’ lives.
Despite denials from Russia about targeting civilians, the conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread devastation across Ukrainian cities and towns.
Among the targets was Ukraine’s largest dam, the DniproHES in Zaporizhzhia, which sustained damage to its hydraulic structures and the dam itself. While the risk of breach was ruled out, the damage to the power blocks and the dam itself was substantial.
The attack led to casualties, with at least five reported deaths, including individuals in the Khmelnytskyi region and Zaporizhzhia. The intensity of the attack, with 88 missiles and 63 Shahed drones launched, overwhelmed Ukrainian defenses, resulting in widespread power outages affecting millions of people.
The goal of the attack, according to Ukrainian officials, was not only to cause damage but also to disrupt the country’s energy system on a large scale, reminiscent of previous attempts.
President Zelenskyy highlighted the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, including power plants and residential buildings, by Russian forces. The attacks also hit Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, impacting its thermal power plants.
Efforts are underway to restore power supply in affected regions, but the scale of the damage underscores the severity of the situation and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
