Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmygal raised concerns on Friday, stating that Russia has initiated a systematic campaign of aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, marking the beginning of what he called "energy terror" for the upcoming heating season. In comments reported by Interfax-Ukraine, Shmygal emphasised that Ukraine's air defence systems are now better equipped to withstand such attacks than the previous year.
At least 18 casualties, including a nine-year-old girl, as a result of the air strikes, while a regional governor disclosed that two individuals were killed in separate overnight Russian shelling incidents, news agency AFP reported citing officials.
"Winter is coming. Tonight (Russia) renews missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure," lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk said on platform X, as reported by Reuters.
Ukrenergo, the grid operator, noted that this marked the first Russian attack on power infrastructure in six months, with damages reported in western and central regions. The attacks resulted in power outages affecting regions including Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.
Russia's Defence Ministry issued a statement claiming that the attack targeted military industry facilities, radio intelligence installations, and training centres for sabotage groups, and that all targets were successfully hit.
Ukraine has been working tirelessly to repair its infrastructure after last winter's attacks caused significant damage to nearly half of its energy system, forcing grid operators to implement rolling power outages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is visiting the US after the UN General Assembly, strongly condemned what he called "another massive attack." He outlined Ukraine's needs on the Telegram messaging app ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden, calling for "more air defence. More sanctions. More support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines."
According to Reuters, Biden was set to announce a new $325 million military aid package for Kyiv, including a second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155-millimeter howitzer cannon.
Russia's recent air strikes, which began in mid-July, have primarily targeted port and grain infrastructure, interfering with Kyiv's efforts to export food. Although Moscow denies any deliberate targeting of non-combatants, these attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian casualties.
Russia has not responded to the recent air strikes. Meanwhile, Ukraine maintains its counteroffensive in the east and south against Russia's ongoing 19-month invasion, with tensions between the two countries rising.