Russia attacks Ukraine's energy sector; Kiev calls for more assistance

This Saturday (01) Russia launched a series of missiles and drones that hit energy installations and infrastructure across Ukraine, injuring at least four people. The attack prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to issue a renewed appeal for more air defense assistance.

The sixth major Russian air strike on Ukraine's energy sector since March damaged facilities in the east, center and west, national grid operator Ukrenergo said.

Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down 35 of 53 Russian missiles and 46 of 47 drones used in the attack. The event increases pressure on Ukraine's deficient energy system as the country's war with Russia is in its third year.

“Russia’s main goal is to normalize terror, take advantage of the lack of sufficient air defense and determination of Ukraine’s partners,” Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

“Partners know exactly what is needed. More “Patriots” and other modern air defense systems for Ukraine. To accelerate and expand F-16 deliveries. To provide our soldiers with all the necessary capabilities.”, added the Ukrainian leader.

So far this year, Ukraine has been at a disadvantage as it faces delays in US military aid, intense attacks on its infrastructure and Russia's effort to expand the front line, 27 months after the full-scale invasion.

Attacks on the energy sector

This Saturday (1), Russian forces attacked energy facilities in the eastern Donetsk region, the southeastern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, the central Kyrovohrad region and the western Ivano-Frankivsk region, the energy ministry said.

Air alerts lasted more than three hours in all regions. Many people ran to shelters in the middle of the night.

Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said four people were injured and three infrastructure facilities were hit in the region on Ukraine's border with Poland. The politician did not provide further details about the establishments.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power generation company, said its two thermal power plants were hit and equipment was “seriously damaged.”

The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that it is attacking Ukraine's military-industrial complex and energy facilities in retaliation for Kiev's attacks on Russian energy facilities.

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian oil installations this year, trying to find a pressure point against the Kremlin, whose forces are slowly advancing in eastern Donbas and have opened a new front in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Russia attacked the Ukrainian power system in the first winter of the war and renewed its attack on the grid in March as Ukraine's stockpile of Western air defense missiles began to decline.

Ukrainian officials said Western aid has started to arrive, but Russian bombings over the past two months have disrupted most thermal and hydroelectric generation, caused blackouts and driven electricity imports to record levels.