A new “massive attack”, once again directed against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The country’s air force issued a nationwide air alert on Thursday morning, reporting missile attacks on several regions, at a time when Moscow is stepping up military pressure on Kiev following the election of Donald Trump.
“Once again, the energy sector is under massive attack from the enemy,” the Ministry of Energy said on Facebook. “Air alert has been declared across Ukraine due to missile threat,” the air force announced on Telegram.
“Emergency outages across the country”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported missile strikes against the regions of Odessa (south), Kirovograd (center), Kherson (east) and Mykolaiv (south). In the morning it announced that it had intercepted 79 missiles and 35 Russian explosive drones during the night during this new massive air attack.
In total, more than a million Ukrainians were without electricity in the western part of the country on Thursday morning, while the temperature hovered around 0°C across much of Ukraine. More generally, the head of one of the electricity supply companies, Yasno, Serguiï Kovalenko, reported on Facebook “emergency cuts throughout the country due to the enemy attack”. According to him, the energy company Ukrenergo plans to cut the power until the evening.
A “response” to the use of Atacms missiles, according to Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted to the massive offensive from Astana in Kazakhstan, saying the strikes are his “response to continued attacks on our territory using ATACMS missiles”, despite his warning and the threat of military escalation aimed to the West. It claimed a massive attack with 90 missiles and 100 drones, ensuring that 117 targets were hit.
On Tuesday, Russia announced a ”response” to two new Ukrainian attacks carried out in the previous days with American ATACMS missiles against its territory. Ukraine began using these long-range missiles in Russia on November 19, as well as the British-made Storm Shadows two days later, after getting the green light from Western allies, in response to the deployment of North Korean forces on the side of Russia. Moscow, which had made this appeal a red line, responded two days later by sending a new ballistic missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
Zelensky accuses Russia of using “cluster munitions”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of targeting his energy infrastructure with cluster bombs, effectively undermining these sites and complicating repairs. “These cluster munitions make it much more difficult for our rescue workers and electrical engineers to eliminate the consequences of the attacks, and this is an absolutely despicable escalation of Russian terrorist tactics,” he said on his social networks. These bombs drop a multitude of other explosive devices, a significant portion of which do not explode on impact.
Russia’s massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, like the one carried out on Thursday, also demonstrate that Ukraine “needs air defense systems now,” the Ukrainian leader also insisted. “This is especially important in winter, when we need to protect our infrastructure from deliberate attacks by the Russians,” he added.
Ukraine has weakened on the front
Russia has bombed civilian areas across Ukraine since beginning its invasion of the country in February 2022 and has stepped up its attacks as winter approaches, particularly targeting energy infrastructure, in order to undermine public morale and hinder the logistics of the Ukrainian army. The tactic has so far clashed with the resilience of Ukrainians and maintenance crews repairing damage caused by the bombing.
On the front, Moscow is also making territorial gains against a weakened Ukrainian military, less than two months after the US president-elect takes office.
On Wednesday, the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden called on Kiev to lower the minimum age for military mobilization to 18 instead of the current 25, to compensate for the lack of soldiers in the face of the advance of Russian forces on the ground. This call comes as Donald Trump may adopt a new approach and push Kiev to negotiate with Moscow. The future American president announced Wednesday that he was appointing former general Keith Kellogg, 80, who had asked Kiev for several concessions, as an emissary to end the conflict.
How can international support impact Ukraine’s energy security and defense capabilities during ongoing missile attacks?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Energy Security Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a compelling topic to discuss—the recent massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. I’m joined by Dr. Elena Vasiliev, an energy security expert with deep insights into the ongoing conflict. Thank you for being here, Dr. Vasiliev.
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: Good morning, and thank you for having me. It’s crucial to talk about what’s happening in Ukraine, especially concerning energy infrastructure.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Reports indicate that missile attacks were launched against various regions in Ukraine, leading to emergency outages. What do you think is the strategic purpose behind targeting the energy sector?
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: Targeting energy infrastructure is a systematic approach in warfare. By disrupting energy supplies, the attacking force not only brings immediate hardship to civilians—especially during winter—but also attempts to cripple the morale and operational capabilities of the Ukrainian military. Energy is critical for running everything from military equipment to civilian services.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy stated that this was a concerted effort by enemies to undermine the country’s energy systems. So far, we’ve seen massive air alerts and significant missile interceptions reported. How do you see Ukraine’s air defense handling this onslaught?
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: Ukraine has made great strides in bolstering its air defense capabilities recently, especially with support from Western allies. The interception of 79 missiles and 35 drones is commendable. However, the challenge remains formidable, as Russia continues to develop its offensive strategies. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated and relentless, indicating that Ukraine will need substantial international support in the form of advanced air defense systems to protect its critical infrastructure.
Time.news Editor: Russian President Putin claimed these strikes were a response to Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. How do you view the escalation of retaliatory attacks in this context?
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: This tit-for-tat exchange emphasizes the escalating nature of the conflict. Each side appears to be testing the limits of each other’s capabilities. Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles represents a significant evolution in its military strategy, and Russia’s response highlights its desperation to maintain control over the narrative and disrupt Ukraine’s momentum. The cycle of retaliation will likely continue unless there is a strategic intervention from international players.
Time.news Editor: Let’s also discuss Ukrainian President Zelensky’s comments regarding the use of cluster munitions. How do these tactics affect both military operations and civilian life?
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: The use of cluster munitions is especially insidious. Not only do these bombs cause immediate destruction, but they leave behind unexploded ordnance that poses a long-term risk to civilians and complicates recovery efforts. This method of warfare not only raises humanitarian concerns but also significantly hampers Ukraine’s ability to restore services and infrastructure quickly, especially in the winter months when energy is critical.
Time.news Editor: Given these dynamics, what do you think Ukraine needs most urgently right now to counter these attacks and stabilize its energy situation?
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: Ukraine urgently requires advanced air defense systems and increased support for its energy infrastructure repairs. The winter season exacerbates the situation, making immediate restoration efforts vital. Additionally, international political support to isolate Russia diplomatically could help shift the balance of power. Humanitarian aid also remains critical as millions are affected by blackouts and energy shortages.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Vasiliev. Your insights provide a clearer picture of the complex energy security challenges Ukraine faces amidst this ongoing conflict. We hope for a resolution that prioritizes civilian safety and infrastructure integrity.
Dr. Elena Vasiliev: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to continue highlighting these issues, as the global community must remain engaged and supportive of Ukraine during these trying times.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned to Time.news for the latest updates on this evolving situation.