Ukrainian local authorities reported that at least 15 civilians were killed on Friday and Saturday from Russian shelling and missile attacks. One of the biggest attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The latest attack was marked by a wave of missile strikes and drones on civilian infrastructure. This barrage critically hampered gas production, forcing Ukrainian officials to consider expensive purchases from Europe to meet energy needs.
Overnight Saturday, Russia used missiles and drones in a coordinated attack on Kyiv and several other regions of Ukraine. Among these were a half-dozen ballistic weapons. Ukrainian air force claimed that only 9 of these missiles were downed. Furthermore, almost 450 of those drones were used defensively within the homeland against the nation’s largest homeland security threat. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that all nine of these regions were subjected to attacks, underscoring the sweeping and brazen nature of this offensive.
One of these damaged facilities was a substation that took a direct hit, but quickly repaired damage enough to restore power just hours later. Electricity supplies are in the process of being rationed across all of Ukraine. By Sunday, residents in the capital city of Kyiv are advised to prepare for blackouts of 10 to 12 hours.
With the covert impact of blackouts felt by millions of Ukrainians, enduring extreme cold and darkness, the country’s bleak humanitarian situation has deepened. Svitlana Grynchuk, Ukraine’s energy minister, characterized the assault as “one of the largest direct ballistic attacks on energy facilities” since the war began.
“Despite the enemy’s plans, Ukraine will have light and heat this winter,” – Svitlana Grynchuk
With repeated strikes on critical energy infrastructure, Ukraine has seen 60% of its gas production facilities very severely damaged. As a result, officials disclosed that the country will have to depend further on higher-cost gas imports from Europe. This recent decision follows the establishment of the domestic supply’s major shortfall.
In response to these developments, President Zelensky noted that Ukraine is collaborating with the United States to acquire additional Patriot air defense systems. He emphasized the urgency of this request for assistance by stating, “It is extremely difficult to counter ballistic and aero-ballistic missiles.”
Larysa, a local resident, recounted her terrifying experience, stating:
“Only a few systems in the world are capable of intercepting such missiles effectively – and to protect our entire territory, we need far more of these systems and far more of the missiles for them.” – President Volodymyr Zelensky
The frequency and intensity of these attacks have raised urgent calls from Ukrainian officials for more military aid from allies. Beyond that, they want to help replenish air defenses. Furthermore, they are pushing to obtain longer-range missile systems to strike Russian energy and military infrastructure.
“I don’t know how I survived, because all the shrapnel flew onto the bed where I was sleeping.” – Larysa
She described the frantic moments when people rushed to safety:
“We gathered quickly and started to go downstairs. People were screaming. You could already hear screams from the street.” – Larysa
The frequency and intensity of these attacks have raised urgent calls from Ukrainian officials for more military aid from allies. They seek not only to replenish air defenses but also to secure longer-range missiles capable of targeting Russian energy and military facilities.
