Russia attacked more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, as Moscow intensified strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. The attacks hit several western and central regions, prompting round-the-clock restoration efforts and raising fears of widespread power cuts.Between 7pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday, Russia launched more than 320 jet-powered and gasoline-powered Shahed drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Ukraine’s energy sector, cities and communities, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.“Yesterday, the Russians carried out one of their largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector – more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities were targeted across different regions of Ukraine. Restoration work is ongoing, with all necessary services and all available resources of Ukrainian energy companies involved. I thank everyone working practically nonstop to restore power.”Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to overwhelm Ukraine’s energy reserves and repair capacity by expanding its campaign against critical infrastructure.“Russia has expanded its campaign against the energy system and is trying to stretch Ukraine’s reserves and repair capacity as thinly as possible,” he said.
Several regions hit as repair teams work round the clock
The most difficult situation was reported in Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta and Netishyn. Energy facilities in the Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro and other regions were also hit.Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had shot down a significant number of incoming weapons. However, the scale and sustained pace of the attacks were causing serious damage to the country’s energy infrastructure.“And although our warriors are shooting down a significant number of them, the sheer scale and unrelenting pace of Russia’s strikes, specifically against our energy sector, are unfortunately having severe consequences.”
Russia seeks winter blackout, Zelenskyy warns
The latest strikes have heightened concerns about Ukraine’s ability to maintain electricity and heating supplies as winter approaches. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of seeking to leave millions of Ukrainians without essential services by targeting the energy system.“Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine – right before winter. Russia is trying to leave millions of our people without electricity and heating. Pressure is needed to stop this.”He called for stronger international action to deter further attacks and welcomed additional support from European partners.“It is important that our European partners have already prepared new support packages for Ukraine. I am grateful to them for this. And it is important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening.”
Zelenskyy criticises US over Russia sanctions legislation
Zelenskyy also criticised a decision in the United States to disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which he said was intended to increase pressure on Russia and help bring the war to an end.“At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end. This Act could have helped enormously – and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters.”He argued that easing pressure on Moscow would encourage further aggression rather than bring the conflict closer to a resolution.“A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking.”Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s partners not to weaken their support and called for continued efforts to end the war.“We must not give up ground. We must keep trying to end the war. To end it, not give Putin every reason to continue it indefinitely. I thank everyone who is truly fighting for peace and helping Ukraine!”
