On Saturday, Russia launched a series of missile strikes targeting Ukrainian power facilities in various regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. This attack caused significant damage to equipment and resulted in at least one energy worker being injured, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko reported on the Telegram messaging app that the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine and the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk were specifically hit by Russian strikes. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, confirmed that four of its thermal power stations were impacted.
DTEK issued a statement denouncing the attack, noting that their equipment sustained serious damage, and energy workers are currently working to address the aftermath of the strike. Galushchenko mentioned that one energy worker was injured, and DTEK also indicated there were casualties but did not provide further details.
The Ukrainian air force commander stated that Russia launched a coordinated series of strikes overnight, deploying a total of 34 cruise and ballistic missiles, of which Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted 21.
Russian forces have been intensifying their attacks on Ukraine's power sector since March 22, targeting thermal and hydropower stations and other energy infrastructure almost daily. As a result, Ukraine has lost approximately 80% of its thermal generation capacity and about 35% of its hydropower capacity.
Despite the arrival of mild spring weather, Ukraine has been experiencing an electricity deficit, leading to scheduled blackouts in several regions and necessitating emergency electricity imports.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian air defense intercepted 13 Russian missiles, but still couldn't prevent damage to energy facilities, resulting in fires and disrupted water supply in Kryvyi Rih, as reported by Governor Serhiy Lysak.
In Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, firefighters battled massive fires at several energy facilities. Maksym Kozytskyi, the Lviv regional governor, emphasized the challenges facing the energy system and urged residents to conserve electricity, particularly during peak evening hours.