Russian strike on Ukraine's power plant and security agreement with Latvia - Thursday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
On the night of April 11, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Ukraine's energy facilities, completely destroying the Trypillia thermal power plant in the Kyiv region. In the afternoon, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs signed a bilateral security agreement between our countries.
RBC-Ukraine collected the main news for April 9.
One of Ukraine's most powerful stations: What is known about Trypillia power plant destroyed by Russia
On the night of April 11, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using 82 air assets, including attack drones, cruise missiles, and aerial ballistic daggers. Air defense forces managed to shoot down 57 targets during the air attack. However, there were also hits.
This time, energy facilities in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, and Kyiv regions were hit. Two thermal power plants were damaged.
In particular, the attack destroyed the Trypillia TPP. This is the most powerful power plant in the Kyiv region, generating more than half of the energy for enterprises. Centrenergo describes the scale of the damage as horrific. It should be noted that the company has lost 100% of its generation (after the loss of Zmiiv TPP and the seizure of Vuhlehirsk TPP in the Donetsk region).
Read more about the consequences of Russia's attack on Ukraine in RBC-Ukraine's article.
Ukraine and Latvia sign bilateral security agreement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs have inked a bilateral security pact between the two nations.
Per the agreement:
- Latvia pledges to provide military aid to Ukraine, amounting to 0.25% of its GDP annually;
- Latvia commits to a 10-year support plan for Ukraine in cyber defense, demining efforts, and unmanned technologies, while also fostering Ukraine's path towards European Union (EU) and NATO accession.
"Thanks to friendly Latvia! This is the specificity and predictability our fight for freedom and independence demands," the president added.
US to allocate nearly $140 million for Ukrainian air defense modernization - Ambassador
The US is to allocate over $130 million for the modernization of air defense systems in Ukraine, according to Bridget Brink, the US Ambassador to Ukraine.
"Today, we signed an agreement to provide Ukraine with $138M in critical air defense system upgrades," the Ambassador reported.
According to Brink, this funding will help keep Ukraine's air defenses operating during Russia's continuous attacks on the energy grid and the Ukrainian people.
European Parliament blocks decision on EU Council budget due to Patriot for Ukraine
The European Parliament has blocked the decision to fund the European Council. The reason was the demand to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems, according to MEP, former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.
During his address at the European Parliament, the Renew faction deputy proposed removing the decision to adopt the EU Council's budget from the agenda until European countries provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missile defense systems.
Verhofstadt added that EU countries have around a hundred Patriot systems, while Ukraine needs seven such installations. The European parliamentarian's call was supported by 515 lawmakers, with 62 voting "against."
"Parliament refuses discharge of the Council budget until European Council decided to support Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-missile systems," Verhofstadt wrote on his X.
Lithuania sends new batch of military aid to Ukraine
Lithuania has once again extended military assistance to Ukraine. On Thursday, April 11, Ukraine received drones, generators, and cot beds for its armed forces.
"Lithuania continues to stand by Ukraine. We assist Ukraine with all means possible and explore avenues to enhance our support. The weaponry and equipment supplied by us and our allies make a decisive contribution to Ukraine's fight for freedom," said Laurynas Kasčiūnas, the Minister of National Defense.
The ministry said that in response to Ukraine's requests, Lithuania has already supplied 155-millimeter ammunition, M577 armored personnel carriers, anti-drone defense systems, winter gear, tens of thousands of sets of warm clothing, thousands of rounds for the Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launcher, and the RISE-1 remote detonation system this year.
