Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault against Ukraine early on November 28, targeting the country’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches. The Air Force issued a nationwide aerial alert, reporting that seven Tu-95 strategic bombers had launched the attack. Explosions were reported in multiple cities, including Kharkiv, Odesa, Lutsk, and Rivne.
Impact on Energy Infrastructure:
- Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that the strikes caused significant damage to the power grid.
- Ukrenergo, the state grid operator, implemented emergency blackouts in multiple regions to protect the energy system from further damage.
- The attack adds to a series of strikes that have intensified as Ukraine enters its third winter at war.
Broader Threat:
President Volodymyr Zelensky recently highlighted Russia’s escalated aerial campaign, citing over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles launched over the past week. Alongside this, Ukraine faces threats from Russia’s new intermediate-range ballistic missile, the “Oreshnik,” used in a recent attack on Dnipro on November 21.
NATO and Western Response:
The attack prompted an emergency NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on November 26, underscoring the urgency for advanced air defense systems from Western allies. Ukraine has consistently appealed for greater military support to counter Russia’s increasingly sophisticated strikes on its infrastructure.
This latest wave of aggression marks another chapter in the ongoing conflict, with significant implications for Ukraine’s energy security and the broader geopolitical landscape.
