Russian attacks cripple Ukrainian energy supply

State-owned energy providers in Ukraine have announced widespread power outages following renewed massive Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Ukrenergo, the electricity provider, stated that most regions of the country will be without power for between eight and 16 hours this Sunday. Centerenergo described the attacks as the "most serious attacks on power plants" since the start of the war, adding that this had reduced the country's ability to generate electricity to "zero."

Energy Minister Svitlana Grinchuk told United News that Friday night was one of the worst since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The attacks caused power and heating outages, as well as water supply problems, in many cities. At least four people were killed in the cities of Dnipro and Kharkiv.

Warning of heating failures in winter

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian military deployed 458 drones and 45 missiles overnight into Saturday. Of these, 406 drones and nine missiles were intercepted. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the attacks targeted "companies within the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, as well as gas and energy facilities" that support its operation.

In recent months, Russia has significantly intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Experts warn that further heating outages could occur nationwide during the upcoming winter months.

Power line at the largest nuclear power plant repaired

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also reported that Russia had attacked two substations supplying power to nuclear power plants in western Ukraine with drones. These substations supplied the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants. Sybiha stated on the online service Telegram that Russia was deliberately endangering nuclear safety in Europe and called for an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) .

Meanwhile, the Russian occupiers of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine have repaired the second power line, which had been out of service since May. The IAEA confirmed the reactivation of the 330-kilovolt line, which is crucial for the plant's power supply. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described it as "an important step for nuclear safety." A local ceasefire had been brokered by the IAEA, which has observers stationed at the plant, to allow for the repair work to proceed.

Europe's largest nuclear power plant, with six reactors, has been occupied by Moscow troops since March 2022, immediately after the start of the Russian offensive. The reactors are shut down for safety reasons but still require cooling. The cooling systems are now being supplied again via the intact power lines. In the event of power outages, diesel generators ensure the reactors continue to be cooled.

pgr/wa (afp, dpa)