Russia has launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to emergency power outages across the country, Ukrainian officials reported on Friday. This marked the latest in a series of attacks aimed at crippling Ukraine’s critical power network as the war drags into its third winter.
“The enemy continues its terror. Once again, the energy sector across Ukraine is under massive attack,” stated German Halushchenko, Ukraine’s energy minister, in a post on his official Facebook page. While the full extent of the damage was not immediately clear, Halushchenko urged citizens to remain in shelters as the threat persisted.
The capital city, Kyiv, saw empty streets Friday morning as Ukraine’s air force warned of the possibility of incoming cruise and ballistic missiles. The country’s energy grid operator, Ukrenergo, confirmed that multiple energy facilities in various regions were damaged, forcing emergency power outages nationwide. According to Ukrenergo, this attack marks the 12th large-scale assault on Ukraine’s power system in 2024.
Tactics Target Energy, Civilian Morale
Russia has intensified its focus on Ukraine’s energy sector in recent months. By targeting power facilities, Moscow aims to weaken civilian morale and strain Ukraine’s ability to maintain essential services during the harsh winter months.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened additional strikes on Ukraine, boasting of a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile. His warning came after an attack on Ukraine’s power grid that left over a million homes in darkness.
Russia’s latest strike follows a vow of retaliation after Ukraine claimed responsibility for an attack on a southwestern Russian city. The Kremlin alleged that six US-made ATACMS missiles were used, though Kyiv has not confirmed the type of weaponry deployed.
Ground Assaults in Eastern Ukraine
In addition to the attacks on energy infrastructure, Russian ground forces have continued their offensive in the eastern Donetsk region, focusing on areas near Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s armed forces acknowledged the intensity of the clashes, with Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi calling the Pokrovsk direction “one of the most difficult confrontations” with Russian occupiers in recent months.
Reports from DeepState, a Ukrainian mapping service, indicate that Russian troops are just 3 kilometers from Pokrovsk’s outskirts, after advancing from Zarya village — a settlement that Russian forces claimed to have captured. Losses among Russian forces have been “consistently high,” according to Syrskyi, particularly in manpower.
NATO Calls for ‘Wartime Mindset’
Amid escalating tensions, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called for a “wartime mindset” in defense spending. Speaking in Brussels, Rutte emphasized the need for NATO members to increase their military budgets beyond the alliance’s 2% GDP target. He cited Russia’s long-term confrontation strategy as a reason to “turbocharge” defense production and readiness.
“During the Cold War, Europeans spent far more than 3% of GDP on defense. We are going to need a lot more than 2%,” Rutte stated. His call for increased defense spending echoes similar demands from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who recently proposed a 3% defense target for NATO allies.
Weapon Deliveries Surge Amid Leadership Transition
The Biden administration is accelerating weapons deliveries to Ukraine before the transition of power to President-elect Trump. A $500 million aid package was announced, which will pull equipment from U.S. military stockpiles. The Pentagon is prioritizing the rapid shipment of artillery, armored vehicles, and rockets to Ukraine.
As Ukraine gears up for potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the new administration, both NATO and Kyiv are bracing for prolonged confrontation. The ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure, coupled with ground offensives and geopolitical power shifts, have intensified pressure on all sides to adapt to the evolving conflict.
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