Ukrainian officials reported that early Wednesday, Russian forces launched a massive air attack on energy facilities in six regions. The assault, which lasted for hours, included numerous missiles and drones.
According to Ukrainian military sources, the attack involved at least 21 drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, and approximately 55 missiles. Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses managed to shoot down 20 drones and around 39 other projectiles.
This attack is one of the most extensive assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since March 22, 2024, when Russia initiated its largest attack on Ukrainian energy facilities since the conflict began.
"On Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II Day, Nazi Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on social media. He emphasized the efforts of first responders who were working to "mitigate the consequences of Russian terror," and urged the world to recognize the threat posed by such actions.
The energy facilities affected are located in the Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia regions. The attack commenced around midnight when drones entered Ukrainian airspace and persisted for approximately seven hours, with missiles being launched from aircraft around 4 a.m. Air-raid sirens, which had been sounding throughout Ukraine, were finally silenced by 7 a.m. Wednesday.
According to Ukrenerho, the state energy operator, the attack resulted in damage to electricity generation facilities. This incident follows previous attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russia on March 22, March 29, April 11, and April 27.