Russian air attack causes ‘significant’ damage to Ukraine’s power grid
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The Ukrainian air force said it shot down five out of nine missiles and all 27 drones launched by Russia during the June 20 attack.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KYIV – Russia launched a new barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine in the early hours of June 20, causing “significant” damage to a thermal power plant and maintaining pressure on the electricity grid, Ukrainian officials said.
The attack on energy infrastructure in four regions damaged equipment, wounded seven workers and cut off electricity to more than 218,000 consumers, the energy ministry said.
Kyiv says Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this spring have knocked out half the country’s power-generating capacity and forced rolling blackouts.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down five out of nine missiles and all 27 drones launched by Russia over 10 Ukrainian regions during the June 20 attack.
The military said Russia mostly targeted eastern Ukraine, specifically the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Private power company DTEK said one of its thermal power plants suffered significant damage during what it said was the seventh large-scale attack on its infrastructure since March 22.
“Enemy missiles hit a DTEK power station already damaged in previous attacks... We urgently need to close our skies or Ukraine faces a serious crisis this winter. My plea to allies is to help us defend our energy system and rebuild in time,” said the company’s chief executive officer Maxim Timchenko.
National grid operator Ukrenergo said the attack would lead to an increase in scheduled blackouts on June 20.
Dnipropetrovsk's governor said the air force shot down five drones and four missiles over his region. Three men were injured in the attack, which also damaged seven homes, he added.
Head of Kyiv's military administration Serhiy Popko said Ukraine's air defence shot down all air weapons on their approach to the capital with no damage or injuries reported in the city.
Air defences also downed four drones over the central region of Vinnytsia where debris damaged a critical infrastructure object, the regional governor said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Romania’s decision to provide his country with a Patriot air defence system would bolster Ukraine’s air defence shield and strengthen security throughout Europe.
Officials in Kyiv have for months been appealing to Ukraine’s allies to supply more air defences against the air strikes carried out by Russia throughout the nearly 28-month-old full-scale invasion.
Bucharest’s Supreme Defence Council said it had made the decision to donate the Patriot system, “considering the significant deterioration of Ukraine’s security situation following constant and massive attacks by Russia on civilians and civilian infrastructure as well as... the regional consequences, including on Romania’s security”.
Russia says energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target
