Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia launched a devastating missile attack on Ukraine’s largest power-generating plant, located in Kyiv region, causing widespread destruction and sparking outrage from President Volodomyr Zelensky. The attack, which took place on Thursday, targeted the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, a crucial supplier of electricity to Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported successfully intercepting 18 missiles and 39 drones out of the 82 total launched by Russia, including six powerful hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. Despite their efforts, none of the incoming projectiles were thwarted by Ukraine’s air defenses, leading to the complete destruction of the Trypilska plant.
Fortunately, there were no casualties resulting from the attack, and power cuts in Kyiv and surrounding regions were avoided. However, Centrenergo, the energy company that operates the plant, lamented the unprecedented level of destruction and loss of power generation across all three of its facilities.
This assault on the Trypilska plant marked a significant escalation in Russia’s ongoing campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Over the past two years of conflict, Russia has targeted essential facilities in an attempt to destabilize the country by depriving its people of vital services during harsh winter conditions.
The recent attack on Trypilska follows previous strikes on other power plants owned by Centrenergo, further exacerbating the energy crisis in Ukraine. Additionally, DTEK, another major power company in the country, reported sustained damage from Russian missile and drone attacks on its stations, resulting in significant destruction of its energy facilities.
President Zelensky urgently called for international support in the form of air defense systems and other military assistance to safeguard Ukraine’s critical infrastructure from further attacks. He warned that allowing Russia to continue targeting energy facilities would not only harm Ukraine but also set a dangerous precedent for global security.
Despite the destruction and challenges faced by Centrenergo, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board expressed optimism about overcoming the crisis. Ukraine has demonstrated resilience in the face of previous power losses, including the takeover of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces, emphasizing the country’s determination to protect its energy resources.