Russian forces launched a powerful aerial strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Friday, firing 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
Zelensky described the attack as one of the heaviest to date. He said it was part of Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine’s energy grid.
He added that Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 81 of the incoming missiles.
Ukrainian Emergency Servic/AP
Among the downed projectiles were 11 cruise missiles, which were targeted by Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets—one of the first uses of these planes in Ukrainian defense operations.
“This is terrorizing millions of people,” Zelensky wrote in a Telegram post. He renewed his call for a unified global response to Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s aggression.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Why is Russia Attacking Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure?
Zelensky said “A strong reaction from the world is needed. A massive strike—a massive reaction. This is the only way to stop terror.”
However, there is growing uncertainty about the future of Western support for Ukraine, particularly with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly pledged to end the war.
Trump’s stance has raised questions about the continued flow of critical U.S. military aid, which has been vital for Ukraine’s defense.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the strike targeted “critically important fuel and energy facilities” that are essential to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
The assault is believed to be a direct retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on Wednesday using the U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which struck a Russian air base.
Andriy Andriyenko/AP
How Badly Has Ukraine’s Infrastructure Been Damaged?
According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russian barrage also targeted key transport infrastructure, further crippling the country’s already strained logistic capabilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv confirmed that the attack was aimed at Ukraine’s energy and transport networks, vital for both civilian and military operations.
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that the assault had ‘seriously damaged’ its thermal power plants, deepening concerns about the country’s energy stability while winter sets in.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said workers were doing everything possible to mitigate the damage. However, he warned that a full assessment of the destruction would only be possible once security conditions permitted further investigation.
This recent attack mirrors similar offensives, including a large-scale bombardment on Nov. 28, which involved nearly 200 missiles and drones and left more than a million households without power.
Although emergency crews were able to restore power, the damage was significant. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is actively stockpiling more missiles, preparing for further strikes in the coming months.
Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP
How Effective Is Russia’s Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile?
The latest attack also comes on the heels of Russia’s first use of an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, in a strike on Nov 21.
The missile, which struck an industrial plant in Dnipro, marked a new chapter in Russia’s weaponry against Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of more hypersonic strikes, and U.S. officials have indicated that more attacks with the Oreshnik could be imminent.
With half Ukraine’s energy infrastructure reported destroyed, rolling blackouts have become a daily reality for millions of Ukrainians.
While Western allies have provided Ukraine with advanced air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, Russia’s strategy appears designed to overwhelm these defenses with ‘swarm’ tactics—large, coordinated waves of missiles and drones aimed at saturating air defense systems.
Russia has maintained the initiative throughout 2023, steadily pushing through Ukrainian defenses in the eastern regions of the country. These slow but consistent offensives have allowed Russian forces to consolidate their control over key areas while Ukraine struggles to defend its vast territory.
As the war heads into its fourth year, the prospect of prolonged conflict looms large, with both sides preparing for a winter of uncertainty and continued hardship.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
