Russian Airstrikes Cause Damage to Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure Across Three Regions

Reports from Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, confirm that Russian airstrikes have struck Ukrainian energy facilities in three separate regions on Saturday.

Galushchenko revealed that the attacks resulted in equipment damage and injuries to at least one energy worker.

In a message shared on Telegram, he specified that the Russian strikes were directed at the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine, as well as the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, disclosed that four of its thermal power stations were impacted by the strikes.

A statement issued by DTEK expressed, “The enemy once again conducted widespread bombardment on Ukrainian energy facilities.

“The company’s equipment sustained significant damage. Our energy personnel are currently working to address the aftermath of the assault.”

While the company acknowledged casualties, no further specifics were provided.

Since March 22, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on the Ukrainian power sector, targeting thermal and hydropower stations alongside other energy infrastructure on a near-daily basis.

Official reports indicate that Ukraine has witnessed an approximate 80 percent reduction in its thermal generation capacity and a 35 percent decrease in hydropower capacity due to these assaults. The country’s energy network was already compromised following a Russian aerial campaign during the initial stages of the conflict that commenced in February 2022.

Despite the mild spring weather in recent weeks, Ukraine has grappled with electricity shortages, prompting the government to implement scheduled power cuts in multiple regions and resort to emergency electricity imports.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 13 Russian missiles, as per Governor Serhiy Lysak.

Commenting on the situation, Lysak lamented, “Unfortunately, the aftermath was inevitable. Energy infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kryvyi Rih regions suffered damage, leading to outbreaks of fire.”