Kharkiv, Ukraine – Large areas of Ukraine are facing blackouts after a series of Russian missile strikes targeting the country’s energy infrastructure. The second largest city, Kharkiv, reported fifteen blasts, while over 53,000 households in Odesa were left without power. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of attempting to destabilize the country’s energy system by cutting a power line to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
The assault comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Russia launched over 90 missiles and 60 explosive drones during overnight attacks, resulting in at least two deaths and 14 injuries. The ongoing airstrikes intensified following a major attack on Kyiv, where 17 people, including a child, were wounded by falling debris. President Zelensky reiterated his plea for increased military aid and air defense systems from Western allies in response to the escalating violence.
In addition to strategic energy targets, a Russian strike damaged Ukraine’s largest dam, DniproHES, in Zaporizhzhia. Despite video footage showing the dam ablaze, authorities assure that there is no immediate risk of breach. The strike also impacted critical infrastructure in other regions, including President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih and Vinnytsia, both located in central Ukraine.
Social media videos captured a trolleybus catching fire near the dam following a missile strike, highlighting the devastation caused by the ongoing conflict. Further attacks were reported in Kharkiv, where Governor Oleg Synehubov confirmed a city-wide power outage after a missile strike. The relentless assaults underscore the urgent need for international support to protect Ukraine from further devastation.