Russia's strategic strikes on Ukraine's energy pose dire consequences

Russians launched an attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, bringing severe consequences. Selected cities lack electricity and water, which even affects the functioning of the emergency number.

Russia carried out a massive attack on Ukraine's infrastructure. According to the editorial team of kresy.pl, the head of Ukraine's electricity transmission system operator, Volodymyr Kudritsky, described the Russian action as the most significant attack in history on the Ukrainian energy system. According to him, the Russians aimed to immobilize the hydropower plant near Zaporizhzhia. Dams were not the target; instead, it was the electricity generators, which were severely damaged. Volodymyr Kudritsky believes there is no risk of water being released through the dam.

Ukraine's Energy Minister, Herman Galushchenko, reported that power plants and the transmission and distribution systems were damaged, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant line. According to Kyiv Post, the attack on the hydropower plant left the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant "balancing on the edge". Energoatom reports that if all lines connected to the plant were damaged, it could severely violate safe operating conditions.

As Nexta reports, Kharkiv experienced almost a total blackout. Russian actions caused the city to lose access to electric power, which also resulted in a water supply interruption. According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, over 20 missiles were fired at energy facilities. The attack's consequences include a lack of water and heat supply, inoperative electric transport, and turned-off traffic lights. Water is to be supplied with minimal pressure.

Following the Russian attacks, air raid warning systems and emergency service numbers also ceased to function. A substitute number - 1562 was introduced.

According to Ukrainian media reports, power supply interruptions affect several regions, including Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa. According to the forsal.pl service, attacks on infrastructure also occurred in the Lviv and Vinnytsia regions.

According to data cited by Forum Energii, in 2020, coal and gas power plants supplied 21.8% of Ukraine's electric power. Nuclear energy is crucial in Ukraine's energy mix, accounting for 13.8% of the produced energy. Run-of-river and pumped-storage hydroelectric plants produce 5.3% of electricity, and photovoltaics account for 5% of the generated power.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is Europe's largest nuclear power station, with an installed capacity of 6,000 MW in six reactors. According to the editorial team of kresy.pl, during the attack on the power plant, the PL-750kV "Dniprovsk" overhead line, connecting the Russia-controlled power plant with Ukraine's energy system, was disconnected.

According to kresy.pl, Ukrainians claim that Russia used Kalibr cruise missiles for the attack on the power plant launched by ships from the Black Sea. The Russian military reportedly used Tu-95MS strategic bombers operating over the Caspian Sea region. MiG-31K aircraft carrying Kinzhal systems were also reportedly used.