Reports from Ukrainian government or major news agencies confirming full power restoration

Russia's Largest Missile Barrage Hits Ukraine's Energy Grid, Killing Seven and Forcing Power Restrictions

Nov 17, 2024, 08:45 AM

Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine since the start of the war, targeting critical energy infrastructure across the country and causing widespread power outages. On November 17, Ukrainian officials reported that at least seven people were killed and several injured, including two children, as explosions were heard in multiple cities such as Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kremenchuk. The assault involved around 210 missiles and drones, including Kh-101/55 cruise missiles, Kalibr missiles, Kh-22 hypersonic cruise missiles, Kh-59/69/31P guided cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, S-300/S-400 guided ballistic missiles, and Shahed drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets shot down about ten aerial targets during the attack. Poland scrambled its air force in response to missile launches near its border. Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that Russia was targeting the country's energy system, including thermal power plants and substations, causing 'serious damage' to the power grid. The largest private energy company, DTEK, reported significant damage to several of its thermal power plants, and the Kremenchuk hydroelectric power station dam was also reportedly damaged. In response to the attacks, Ukraine announced emergency power outages across the country and nationwide power restrictions set to begin on Monday. The strikes have raised concerns about Moscow's intentions to cripple Ukraine's power generation capacity ahead of the winter months. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the attacks and emphasized the need for Ukraine to receive more air defense support.