Missile attacks on Ukraine: Energy company activates emergency mode

After the heaviest rocket attacks in weeks, the power went out in numerous regions of Ukraine. Recovery might take longer. The energy supplier Ukrenerho has activated the emergency mode.

After new massive Russian rocket attacks on Ukraine, the energy supplier Ukrenerho in Kyiv activated the emergency mode for the power grid. According to a company statement, there are power cuts across the country due to severe damage.

Hospitals, the water supply and thermal power plants as well as sewage treatment plants should be supplied with electricity as a priority, it said. Because of the damage caused by what is now the ninth wave of rocket attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, it will take longer than usual to restore the power supply.

Kyiv accuses “terrorism”.

Light, water and heating failed in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. The subway stopped operating. Thousands of people sought shelter there. There were also long power outages in other regions. Railway operator Ukrsaliznytsia also reported power outages at a number of stations in central and eastern Kharkiv, as well as in the Kirovohrad, Donetsk and Dnepropetrovsk regions. Trains were switched to steam operation. The power supply was also disrupted again in the neighboring Republic of Moldova.

The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of “terrorism” – with the aim of plunging the country into darkness and cold. Kyiv has accused Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin of wanting to force people to flee in order to destabilize the situation in the EU through mass immigration.

Shelter and heat points with power supply

As a result of the recent shelling, the electricity deficit in the country has increased significantly, Ukrenerho said. “The biggest impacts were in the northern, southern and central regions.” The presidential administration called for understanding from people who often sit in the cold and darkness. There are places of protection and warmth in the country where they could go. Emergency services would also work to repair the hit and damaged power plants.

In the capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that even more facilities with autonomous power supply should be opened for emergencies. People can charge their mobile phones or power banks in such points powered by generators.

Probably the most violent wave of attacks since October

According to Ukrainian sources, Russia launched a new wave of missile attacks in the morning. Two people were killed in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the center of the country. More than 70 rockets are said to have been fired at Ukraine. It appears to have been the heaviest wave of attacks since October.

“This morning the enemy fired 76 rockets from the Caspian and Black Seas at critical infrastructure objects,” Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valeriy Zalushnyy wrote in the Telegram news service. Almost 80 percent of them were intercepted.

Since October, Russia has repeatedly bombed the country’s energy infrastructure, which is important for supplying the people. Millions of people experience constant power outages. The attacks are seen as part of a new Russian strategy following setbacks on the battlefield in recent months. Apparently, they are intended to leave the Ukrainians defenseless in the winter cold, thereby breaking their will to resist.