In a relentless campaign, Russia has again unleashed a barrage of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s vital energy infrastructure. This latest assault has resulted in extensive power outages and restrictions across every region of the country, prompting Ukraine’s Prime Minister to denounce Moscow’s strategy as ‘systematic energy terror.’ The recent strikes, part of Russia’s near-daily targeting of the Ukrainian power grid as bitter winter temperatures loom, tragically claimed the lives of at least two individuals and left 17 wounded, including children as young as two and up to sixteen years old.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia deployed over 650 drones and more than 50 missiles of various types in this coordinated attack. These sustained assaults aim to undermine Ukrainian morale and disrupt its defense industry, nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian cities heavily rely on centralized public utilities for water, sewage, and heating systems, all of which cease to function during blackouts.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasized the gravity of the situation: ‘Russia continues its systematic energy terror – striking at the lives, dignity, and warmth of Ukrainians on the eve of winter. Its goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness; ours is to keep the light on.’ She further stressed the urgent need for international support, stating, ‘To stop this terror, Ukraine needs more air defense systems, tougher sanctions, and maximum pressure on Russia,’ acknowledging the persistent challenges in diplomatic efforts to broker a peace settlement.
In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, regional authorities reported 17 injuries, including a 2-year-old girl. Rescuers bravely extracted a man from the debris of a building, but sadly, he did not survive, as confirmed by Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration. Additionally, two crucial energy facilities were damaged in the western Lviv region, situated near the Polish border.
Responding to the intensified Russian aggression, the Polish military activated Polish and allied NATO aircraft as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency announced the closure of regional airports in Radom and Lublin to facilitate military operations.