More than a million households in Ukraine were plunged into darkness following a devastating Russian aerial assault on critical energy infrastructure facilities. The attack, which occurred overnight, left the country's energy system in disarray, prompting emergency power cuts in various regions.
Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been repeatedly targeted, leading to rolling blackouts and severe disruptions to daily life. The recent bombardments have escalated tensions, pushing Ukraine into a precarious position as it enters its third winter of conflict.
Energy Minister German Halushchenko confirmed that Ukraine's energy infrastructure came under a 'massive enemy attack,' with incidents reported across the country. The western regions of Lviv, Volyn, and Rivne were particularly hard hit, experiencing large-scale power outages.
Amid the chaos, reports emerged of injuries in the Vinnytsia and Odesa regions, underscoring the human toll of the conflict. In Kharkiv, a civilian business was struck by a missile, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
To defend against further assaults, air defenses were activated nationwide, including in the capital city of Kyiv. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that residents sought refuge in metro stations as the city endured a prolonged air raid alert lasting over nine hours. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties in Kyiv.
The recent escalation follows a record drone attack on Tuesday, where 188 drones were launched at Ukraine, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure in the western part of the country. The relentless assaults have underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine as it grapples with the devastating impact of war.
