Russia escalates war by targeting Ukrainian hydropower plants
30 March 2024 08:56
Russia has decided to expand the scope of its attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure, now targeting hydropower plants and dams. This move signifies an increase in aggression against Ukraine's infrastructure, according to the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
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ISW analyses the airstrikes conducted by Russia from the night of 28th March to the early hours of 29th March. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Friday that the targets included hydropower plants in the Cherkasy and Chernivtsi regions. Meanwhile, Russian bloggers who support the Kremlin claimed that in the Dnipropetrovsk region, a thermal power plant and a hydropower plant were hit. The Ukrainian energy conglomerate Ukrenerho confirmed that the airstrikes damaged hydropower and thermal power plants in the central and western parts of the country.
ISW experts believe this marks a "new pattern" in attacks on Ukrainian hydropower plants and dams, highlighting a "significant escalation" compared to previous airstrikes. Before, Russian armed forces did not systematically target hydropower plants and dams.
ISW points out that the likely aim of shelling Ukraine's energy infrastructure is to "weaken the power of the Ukrainian defense industry". The Russians are also attempting to take advantage of the fact that Ukrainian air defense is currently facing a missile shortage.
The west is still reluctant to send weapons to Ukraine
"The United States and European countries continue to be cautious in providing Ukraine with equipment that could significantly impact the operational or strategic landscape (...) due to fears of escalation or retaliation from Russia," ISW notes.
The think tank reminds that previous decisions by Western countries have not deterred Russia from escalating the conflict.
"Russia has consistently demonstrated its readiness to escalate unprovoked aggression, and concerns regarding Russian escalation or retaliation in response to further Western arms supplies to Ukraine should not influence decisions - in the USA or other Western countries - regarding this assistance," ISW experts conclude.
