Russia again targets Ukraine’s energy network in night attacks

Russia hit neighboring Ukraine again overnight with a heavy missile and drone attack that primarily targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, according to the Ukrainian Energy Minister. German Galushchenko.

Facilities in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zaporizhia were attacked, Galushchenko wrote on Facebook on Saturday. Other civilian targets were also hit.

In the town of Balakliya in the Kharkiv region, twelve people were injured, including eight children, when residential buildings were hit.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used 53 rockets and cruise missiles and 47 drones. Some of the cruise missiles were fired from far across the border from Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flying in the Saratov region or over the Caspian Sea.

The Air Force said it shot down 30 Kh-101 and 4 Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as one Iskander missile. In addition, 46 of the 47 drones were intercepted.

The attack is part of Russia’s systematic efforts to destroy Ukraine’s energy supply. Over the past two years, the Russian military has already destroyed around 8,000 megawatts of electricity capacity in Ukraine.

The aim is to break the will of the Ukrainian civilian population to resist. Russia’s constant attacks on its neighboring country lead to frequent power outages.

Kiev has had to raise electricity prices for the second time since the war began. According to a government statement on Friday, tariffs have risen by more than 60 percent.

The price increase is necessary to avoid power outages and “maintain the system,” Galushchenko said in the statement. Significant funds are needed for repair work on damaged power plants, substations and high-voltage lines, he noted.