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Russian forces in a significant escalation of hostilities, have launched a series of missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure in eastern Ukraine, raising concerns about a potential power shortage as winter approaches. The assaults, which began on Monday, have been concentrated in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, areas that have seen heavy fighting since the onset of the conflict in 2014.
Ukrainian officials reported extensive damage to power plants and substations, with several facilities rendered inoperable. “This is not just an attack on our energy system; it’s an assault on our people as we prepare for the cold months ahead,” stated Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s energy ministry.
The strikes have disrupted electricity supply to thousands of residents, exacerbating an already precarious situation as the country faces ongoing power shortages due to damage sustained from previous conflicts. Local authorities are scrambling to assess the damage and restore services, but experts warn that the current strikes could lead to prolonged outages.
The international community has condemned the attacks, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calling them “indiscriminate and unacceptable. He reiterated the alliance’s support for Ukraine, stressing the importance of maintaining energy resilience in the face of aggression. Meanwhile, European leaders are closely monitoring the situation, as any disruption in Ukraine’s energy supplies could have ripple effects across the continent, particularly in countries reliant on Ukrainian transit routes for natural gas.
Ukraine in response has ramped up its air defence measures, seeking to protect its critical infrastructure from further strikes. The government has also appealed for increased international support, both in terms of military aid and technical assistance to bolster its energy capabilities. “We must work together to safeguard our energy grid and ensure that our citizens are not left in the dark,” urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recent address.