Russian troops have been targeting Ukraine’s thermal power plants with missile and drone strikes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Dmytro Sakharuk, the executive director of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, revealed that Russian forces had struck these critical infrastructure points almost 180 times. The attacks intensified in April, with major strikes on energy facilities occurring on March 22, March 29, April 11, and April 27. The damages caused by these attacks have been severe, with DTEK estimating a need for at least $350 million to recover the lost capacity.
In the latest attack on April 27, Russian forces targeted energy facilities in several oblasts, causing severe damage to four stations. This mass attack involved 34 missiles launched against key infrastructure points. The destruction caused by these strikes has been significant, with the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv Oblast, which supplies electricity to Kyiv and surrounding regions, being completely destroyed in a previous attack on April 11. The Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in Kharkiv Oblast was also targeted on March 22, further exacerbating the energy crisis in Ukraine.
Furthermore, Russia’s aggression has not spared Ukraine’s state energy company, Centerenergo, which reported the destruction of 100% of its generation capacity due to the attack on the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant. The Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Dam also experienced significant damage in late March, highlighting the broader impact of Russia’s targeting of energy infrastructure in Ukraine. These attacks have left Ukraine grappling with a major energy crisis and have underscored the importance of protecting critical infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Despite facing these challenges, Ukraine continues to rely heavily on its nuclear industry, which produces around half of the country’s power output. Thirty-eight years after the Chornobyl disaster, Ukraine’s nuclear power plants remain vital to the functioning of the country. In fact, Ukraine’s share of energy output from nuclear power is the third highest in the world after France and Slovakia. The resilience of Ukraine’s nuclear industry in the face of ongoing hostilities underscores the country’s commitment to maintaining a stable energy supply for its citizens.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, the targeting of energy infrastructure poses a significant threat to the stability and functioning of the country. The repeated attacks on thermal power plants have not only caused extensive damage but have also led to a severe energy crisis in Ukraine. The international community must support Ukraine in protecting its critical infrastructure and ensuring the delivery of essential services to its citizens. By standing together in solidarity with Ukraine, we can help mitigate the impact of these attacks and support the country in its efforts to recover and rebuild in the face of adversity.
