According to the reports on Thursday (21 November), Russia’s recent missile strikes targeted three of the five operational thermal plants owned by Ukrainian power producer DTEK, severely impacting the country’s energy infrastructure. One plant remains offline, while two have resumed partial power generation. These strikes, involving over 200 missiles and drones, mark a significant escalation in attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid as winter begins, following months of relative calm.
DTEK, which supplied a quarter of Ukraine’s electricity needs before Russia’s February 2022 invasion, has been heavily targeted since March. Despite efforts to restore capacity, Sunday’s strikes caused severe damage, according to DTEK’s CEO Maxim Timchenko, who appealed for Western allies to provide more air defenses. Rolling blackouts have returned, reminiscent of the first winter of the war when outages often lasted for days.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the strikes on energy infrastructure but withheld specifics to avoid aiding Russian targeting strategies. Energy officials have reported attacks on both power generation facilities and distribution stations, exacerbating the grid’s vulnerability. The damage comes as Kyiv braces for potential further strikes, with officials warning against panic and emphasizing resilience.
Thermal power plants, which account for a third of Ukraine’s electricity needs, play a critical role alongside nuclear facilities in maintaining the grid. However, one DTEK plant in Kurakhove has been dismantled to supply parts for repairs to other sites. With snow falling in Kyiv and energy demands rising, Ukraine’s energy sector faces an uphill battle to ensure power supply during the harsh winter months.
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