Russia has launched a massive assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, targeting gas facilities and other energy installations in western regions.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Russian forces unleashed over 40 missiles during the morning attack, supplemented by more than 70 drones overnight.
Zelenskiy reported via X that Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down at least 30 missiles. “Another massive Russian attack. It’s the middle of winter, and the target for the Russians remains unchanged: our energy infrastructure,” Zelenskiy stated.
The Ukrainian president said “Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people.”
The governor of Ukraine’s western Lviv region confirmed that two energy facilities in the Drohobych and Stryi districts were damaged, while neighboring Ivano-Frankivsk’s governor reported air defenses fending off Russian attacks on facilities. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Ukrainians rely heavily on natural gas for heating homes and cooking, particularly during the winter months when daily production cannot meet consumption demands. The country’s underground gas storage facilities, located in western regions, help in sustaining the population during this period.
Russia’s intensified bombardments have knocked out half of Ukraine’s available generating capacity, resulting in prolonged, rolling blackouts across the country.
Ukrainian cities, businesses, and residents have installed new generating capacities, including solar panels, batteries, generators, and other equipment to enhance their energy independence and survive the harsh winter months.
As Zelenskiy visits neighboring Poland, he has reiterated his pleas to Kyiv’s Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense
. “We have also discussed licenses for the production of air defense systems and missiles for them, which could serve as one of the effective security guarantees for Ukraine. This is both realistic and necessary to implement,” Zelenskiy added.
The capital Kyiv also came under attack, forcing hundreds of residents to seek shelter in underground metro stations, where they slept on yoga mats and sat on folded chairs with their pets.
