Russian strikes on Ukraine have severely damaged critical energy infrastructure and killed civilians across several regions, according to Ukrainian authorities and AFP reporting. The latest wave of attacks targeted power plants and residential areas as winter temperatures dropped sharply.
The assaults form part of what Kyiv describes as the most intense campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022. Officials say the attacks are aimed at disrupting electricity, heating, and water supplies during extreme cold.
Power Plant Left in Ruins After Missile Strikes
At an undisclosed power station operated by private energy company DTEK, two Russian missiles struck an already damaged unit, completing its destruction, according to workers who spoke to AFP. The facility has been hit repeatedly since the start of the war and now lies largely in ruins.
AFP journalists visiting the site days later reported a strong smell of burning, twisted metal pipes, idle turbines, and heavy machinery clearing debris. The plant’s location was not disclosed due to its designation as critical infrastructure.
Long-Term Impact on Ukraine’s Energy Supply
Oleksandr, a 53-year-old production manager at the plant, said restoring operations would likely take years rather than months. DTEK communications manager Oleksandr Kutereshchyn said hundreds of engineers and workers continue repairs around the clock to restore any possible capacity.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia has attacked the country’s energy infrastructure more than 220 times since 2022. In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for senior Russian military figures over missile attacks on power facilities, which prosecutors described as war crimes.
Civilian Casualties Reported Across Multiple Regions
Alongside infrastructure damage, Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least four people overnight in attacks involving drones and missiles, regional officials said. In the southern port city of Odesa, AFP journalists saw emergency crews working by lamplight amid destroyed buildings.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 11 ballistic missiles and 149 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones. Air defenses intercepted more than 100 drones and several missiles, though some strikes reached residential areas.
Children Among the Dead in Eastern Ukraine
In the eastern city of Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, Russian strikes killed an 11-year-old girl and her mother, while 16 other civilians were wounded, local authorities said. One of the wounded was a seven-year-old child. Sloviansk Mayor Vadym Lyakh said glide bombs hit the city, including a private house that was completely destroyed.
Elsewhere, a 10-year-old boy and a woman were killed in a drone attack in the Kharkiv region. In northern Chernihiv region, a 71-year-old man was killed by drones while in his home, officials said.
Morale and Daily Life Under Continued Attacks
Residents near targeted facilities said repeated strikes have disrupted daily life and strained morale. Power outages in some areas allow electricity for only short intervals every few hours, according to residents interviewed by AFP.
Despite the destruction, workers and local residents expressed determination to continue. “Metal can be rebuilt,” one resident said, emphasizing that the survival of civilians remains the priority.
Conclusion:
As Russian strikes on Ukraine continue into the fourth year of the war, damage to energy infrastructure and civilian casualties remain central concerns for Kyiv and its allies. With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, Ukrainian officials warn that ongoing attacks during winter risk deepening the humanitarian impact across the country.
