Devastating Drone Assault on Ukrainian Energy System Causes Casualties and Urgent Power Outages

A Russian assault targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in two fatalities and leading to power outages in various regions, according to Ukrainian officials on Saturday.

In recent months, Moscow has intensified its strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities, inflicting damage on natural gas production sites, which are essential for heating during the winter.

Experts warn that Ukraine may face heating shortages as the colder months approach.

«Once again, Russian attacks have disrupted daily life for the people. They have stripped communities of electricity, water, and heating, while also wreaking havoc on essential infrastructure and railway networks,» stated Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a barrage of 458 drones and 45 missiles overnight, with Ukrainian forces managing to intercept 406 drones and nine missiles.

In Dnipro, a drone strike hit a nine-story building, leading to two fatalities and six injuries, as reported by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

The assaults necessitated emergency power outages and disrupted water services in Kharkiv, where the mayor noted a «significant electricity shortage.»

Kremenchuk, in the eastern Poltava region, experienced a complete lack of electricity, water, and partial heating, according to local authorities.

Significant delays in train services were also reported, with Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba accusing Russia of escalating attacks on locomotive facilities.

«We are actively working to address the aftermath across the nation, prioritizing the rapid restoration of heating, lighting, and water supply,» Svyrydenko added.

Throughout nearly four years of invasion, Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure, causing substantial damage to critical civilian facilities.

Additionally, drones struck energy assets in Ukraine’s southern Odesa late on Friday, as per regional governor Oleh Kiper’s report on Telegram.

He mentioned, «An energy infrastructure facility sustained damage,» but there were no casualties reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have hit «enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and energy facilities that support their operations.»

Concerns regarding heating shortages have surfaced as the war approaches its fourth winter, with recent attacks on energy infrastructure heightening these fears.

A report from the Kyiv School of Economics estimated that the assaults have led to the shutdown of half of Ukraine’s natural gas production.

Ukraine’s leading energy expert, Oleksandr Kharchenko, indicated during a media briefing on Wednesday that if Kyiv’s two power and heating stations were to go offline for more than three days in temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, it could result in a «technological disaster» for the capital.

In response, Ukraine has increased its strikes on Russian oil depots and refineries in recent months, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s crucial energy exports and instigate fuel shortages nationwide.

On Friday evening, drone attacks on energy infrastructure in Volgograd, a southern region of Russia, led to power outages there as well, according to governor Andrei Botcharov on Telegram.