Russia’s Latest Airstrikes Leave Cities in the Dark—120 Missiles, 90 Drones Hit Hard

Russia’s severe airstrikes have damaged Ukraine’s power grid. As a result, the country will face power supply restrictions on Monday (6 AM to 10 PM). The Ukrainian state power company, Ukrenergo, announced that temporary blackouts are inevitable due to damage to power facilities caused by the strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia launched approximately 120 missiles and ninety drones in the attack, targeting energy facilities. Zelenskyy expressed concern about the significant damage caused by the strikes and falling debris. The Ukrainian Air Force reported successfully shooting down 144 out of about 210 aerial targets.

This attack occurred across Ukraine, including in the capital city of Kyiv. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko emphasized that the airstrikes severely impacted power generation and transmission facilities. He also noted that cities throughout Ukraine would face immense challenges due to the power supply restrictions.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced they targeted the energy infrastructure supplying power to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and claimed to have achieved all their objectives. However, these airstrikes have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Attacks on power facilities and train deports have led to many injuries and fatalities in the southern regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv.

Although Ukraine’s nuclear power plants did not suffer direct damage, two out of nine reactors can only generate power at maximum capacity due to damage at substations. This situation further exacerbates the difficulties faced by the Ukrainian people due to blackouts and energy shortages. Russia views this attack as part of its ongoing destruction of Ukraine’s power facilities since the invasion in February 2022, characterizing it as psychological warfare.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha‎ criticized Russia for launching large-scale airstrikes targeting peaceful cities and civilians. In response, Poland strengthened its air defense systems and deployed fighter jets, as Ukraine is at the forefront of NATO’s eastern frontline. According to the Polish operational command, this response was a precautionary measure against potential threats and did not indicate an intention to intervene in the war in Ukraine.

The airstrikes involved the use of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and armed drones. Such actions are compassionate for Poland as a NATO ally and impact the stability of NATO border regions in western Ukraine.