Russia massively strikes Ukrainian energy sector again: Consequences
Photo: Russia has launched a massive attack on Ukraine's energy sector (Getty Images)
Russia has launched one of the largest combined strikes against Ukraine's energy sector, using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. There have been hits in the western regions, and blackout schedules are being tightened across Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered all information about the consequences of the Russian massive attack so far.
Breaking news:
- Ukrainian Air Defense Forces destroyed 81 out of 94 Russian missiles and 80 out of 193 drones. Another 105 drones were lost.
- This is one of the largest strikes against the Ukrainian energy sector.
- DTEK energy company reported that the Russians massively attacked a thermal power plant, seriously damaging equipment.
- Ivano-Frankivsk suffered the most massive Russian attack during the full-scale war.
- Russia attacked energy facilities in the Lviv region. There will be changes in the blackout schedules.
- There are severe consequences of the missile attack in the Ternopil region.
- Light and water supply have been cut off in some parts of Odesa.
- Ukrenergo National Energy Company has warned of tighter blackout schedules across Ukraine.
- 5 out of 9 operating power units in Ukraine reduced power due to morning Russian strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure - IAEA
Russian strike on Ukrainian energy sector: Situation so far
According to the head of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, the energy sector throughout Ukraine was under a Russian massive attack.
“Power engineers are taking all the necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences for the power system. As soon as the security situation allows, the damage will be clarified,” he said at the time of the Russian missile attack.
Meanwhile, Serhii Kovalenko, CEO of YASNO energy company, explained that due to the Russian missile attack, Ukrenergo ordered to disconnect 3 out of 6 consumer lines. This means that half of the consumers in Ukraine will be cut off at the same time.
According to DTEK, Russia massively struck the company's thermal power plants, and the equipment of the TPPs was seriously damaged.
“After the Russian shelling ended, the power engineers promptly started to repair the damage and restore the equipment. This year, it is the 12th massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the 9th massive attack on the company's energy enterprises,” the company said.
Consequences
Odesa
Loud explosions were heard in Odesa during the Russian attack, said the city's mayor, Hennadii Trukhanov. Local media reported that in some areas Odesa residents reported a lack of water and electricity.
Subsequently, the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper, reported damage to civilian infrastructure in the region. In particular, the office of a private transportation company and 8 trucks were damaged. All relevant services are working at the scene. There were no casualties.
Lviv region
Energy facilities in the Lviv region came under Russian attack. There is no information about the victims. However, local authorities have warned that there will be changes in the schedules of power outages due to the Russian shelling.
During the Russian attack, the Ukrainian Air Force reported threats of attacks on Stryi, where strategic underground gas storage facilities are located.
According to Stepan Kulyniak, head of the Drohobych District Administration, Russia once again attacked a critical infrastructure facility during the morning missile attack.
“The most important thing is that, fortunately, no one suffered. Russian strike caused a fire, which is being extinguished by rescuers. All emergency and specialized services are working at the scene,” he wrote.
Ivano-Frankivsk region
Ukrainian Air Defense Forces were operating in the region. According to the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Russian missile debris fell in one village of the community. No one was injured. In the regional center, public transportation was also suspended in the morning due to the high level of missile danger.
According to the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration Svitlana Onyshchuk, the Ivano-Frankivsk region suffered the most massive Russian attack during the full-scale war.
“At dawn, Russia used attack drones and cruise missiles. They targeted critical infrastructure facilities. There were hits, but no casualties. Ukrainian Air Defense Forces were working in the region. Relevant services are involved at the scene to overcome the consequences of the Russian attack,” Onyshchuk wrote.
According to local media, residents of the Ivano-Frankivsk region counted 13 explosions in Burshtyn. Burshtyn TPP is located there, which is the largest thermal power plant in western Ukraine. It is connected to the European power grid and supplies electricity to parts of Europe.
Ternopil region
As a result of Russia's missile attack, there are severe consequences in the Ternopil region, the Ternopil Regional Military Administration informs. There were no casualties. However, critical infrastructure is operating normally.
Kirovohrad region
The head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, Andrii Raikovych, reported that a Russian drone was shot down in the region. Minor damage was recorded on the territory of a private household in Novoarkhanhelsk.
Kyiv region
According to the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Ukrainian Air Defense Forces were actively working in the Kyiv region. There are Russian targets downed. There were no casualties.
There were no strikes to critical or residential infrastructure. As a result of the falling debris of the Russian downed targets, 4 private houses were damaged in 2 districts of the region. The damage was minor - windows and doors were smashed and facades were cut. In addition, two boxes of an agricultural enterprise were damaged in one of the districts, and power lines were damaged in another.
Debris has also been recorded falling outside of settlements in open areas.
What Russians attacked with
For the combined attack on Ukraine, Russians used Tu-95MS bombers, from which they launched cruise missiles, as well as ballistic missiles, Kalibr from the Black Sea, and Kinzhals from Mig-31K and Shaheds.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched 93 missiles in total (including at least one North Korean missile) and almost 200 drones.
“We managed to shoot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by our F-16s. The Russians also used almost 200 drones in this attack. This is one of the largest strikes on our energy sector,” the President said.
Later, the Ukrainian Air Force clarified that Russia used 94 missiles and 193 drones in the attack. Of these, 81 missiles and 80 drones were shot down. Another 105 drones were lost in the area.
In total, Russia launched at Ukraine:
- 4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles;
- 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles;
- 1 KN-23 ballistic missile;
- 55 Kh-101 and Kh-55SM cruise missiles;
- 24 Kalibr cruise missiles;
- 7 Iskander-K cruise missiles;
- 1 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missile;
- 193 Shahed-type attack drones.
Ukraine's government and world's reaction
The President of Ukraine called on the world to react massively.
“This is Putin's “peaceful” plan to destroy everything. This is how he wants “negotiations” - by terrorizing millions of people. And he is not limited either in range or in buying the necessary components for missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in impunity. We need a strong reaction from the world: a massive attack needs a massive reaction. This is the only way to stop terror,” Zelenskyy said.
US Ambassador Bridget Brink responded to the Russian missile attack on Ukraine on December 13. According to her, Russia attacked not only the energy system but also transportation networks and key facilities throughout Ukraine.
“As of 0700 Kyiv time, Ukraine’s critical infrastructure is under another massive attack. Russia has launched a barrage of ballistic missiles, targeting energy systems, transport networks, and key facilities across the country,” the diplomat said in a statement.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russia of trying to leave millions of people without electricity and heat.
“I urge everyone to support each other and be prepared for temporary difficulties. Together we will overcome everything! And I ask our international partners to increase pressure on the aggressor: new sanctions and support for Ukraine's energy sector are the best response to Russian attacks,” Lubinets emphasized.
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha once again called on the allies to urgently provide Ukraine with 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems.
“Russia aims to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems,” the Minister wrote.
During the night and in the morning, Russians also attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones. One of the Russian kamikaze drones hit a high-rise building in Kharkiv. There were also reports of Russian drone debris falling in the center of Kyiv.
Sources: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, DTEK, heads of regional military administrations, mayors, the Ombudsman, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, etc.
