Russia Strikes Energy Infrastructure in 6 Ukrainian Regions, Causing Serious Damage and Injuring 3

Overnight on May 8, Russia attacked energy infrastructure in six Ukrainian regions: Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported severe damage to three out of its six thermal power plants. These attacks further strain the power generation infrastructure upon which millions of Ukrainians rely.

This marks the fifth wave of attacks on DTEK energy stations in the last seven weeks. Russia launched previous attacks on March 22 and 29, and April 11 and 27 this year. Before Wednesday’s attack, 80% of DTEK’s available generating capacity had already been damaged or destroyed. DTEK supplies around 20% of Ukraine’s electricity.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 39 missiles and 20 drones overnight, including: 33 Kh-101/Kh-505 cruise missiles, 4 Kalibr cruise missiles, two Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles, and 20 Shahed drones.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s attack and called on the world to prevent the rise of “new Nazism.”

“On Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day, Nazi Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Over 50 missiles and more than 20 ‘Shahed’ drones targeted infrastructure in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. All necessary services are already working to mitigate the consequences of Russian terror,” wrote President Zelenskyy.

The missile strike caused the following damage:

• Kyiv Region: Russia attacked with kamikaze drones and cruise missiles. A fire broke out at a civil infrastructure facility, injuring two people in Brovary. All air targets were intercepted in Kyiv, preventing casualties or destruction within the city.

• Kirovohrad Region: Russia damaged a critical infrastructure facility, destroyed 13 private houses, and injured an 8-year-old child.

• Lviv Region: Two critical energy facilities were damaged in the Chervonohrad and Stryi districts.

• Poltava Region: An energy infrastructure facility was hit in the Poltava district, as reported by the region’s Governor, Philip Pronin.

• Vinnytsia: Critical infrastructure facilities were reportedly hit.

• Ivano-Frankivsk Region: An energy infrastructure facility was targeted, resulting in a fire that was contained.

• Zaporizhzhia Region: Russia targeted critical and civilian infrastructure, damaging the fire and rescue department building.

• Kherson Region: Russia attacked civilian railway infrastructure, damaging tracks and the station.