Emergency power outages have been implemented across nearly all of Ukraine following extensive Russian airstrikes on energy infrastructure. This marks the fourth consecutive winter of blackouts since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian energy ministry reported that only two regions were unaffected: the eastern Donetsk region, which is directly involved in the conflict, and the northern Chernihiv region, which is currently experiencing hourly outages.
In addition to the attacks on the power grid, Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s railway systems. In response, Ukraine has intensified operations against Russian oil refineries, including a recent drone strike on an oil depot in Crimea, which has been burning for multiple days.
Kyiv’s armed forces confirmed that 16 fuel tanks were damaged during these attacks, leading to a significant blaze. This uptick in drone assaults on Russian oil infrastructure has contributed to fuel shortages and rising prices in some regions of Russia, potentially impacting its war efforts. Data from the International Energy Agency indicates that Russian fuel exports have reached their lowest level since the conflict’s inception.
The Ukrainian energy ministry attributed the emergency restrictions to the complicated situation created by the Russian attacks. As winter temperatures drop, electricity supply may be further strained. Some electric companies noted they could not provide advance warnings for outages due to the emergency conditions.
Amid growing concerns over civilian impacts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to inflict chaos and psychological pressure. Meanwhile, the U.S. and NATO countries are exploring potential military support for Ukraine, including discussions about the provision of long-range weapons. However, there are fears that this could escalate the conflict further.
Despite evolving strategies and calls for assistance, military aid to Ukraine has reportedly decreased by 43% compared to earlier months, raising questions about future resource availability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15p32dvy0vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss