Russia attacked northern Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with missiles and drones overnight, causing a large fire in the country’s west, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.
Ukrainian military knocked down three ballistic missiles and 25 of the 26 drones launched during the attack on nine locations across the country, according to Ukraine’s air force commander.
Regional officials in the northeastern Sumy region bordering Russia reported that “an energy facility was hit, causing blackouts for 72 settlements and more than 18,500 consumers.”
Over the last six months, Ukrainian energy facilities have been bombarded almost daily as the war continues following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine imports power from its European Union neighbours, but not enough to cover the shortfall. Power outages are frequently announced during high nighttime consumption hours.
During the most recent bombardments, an industrial site in Ternopil’s western section was targeted, as well as a gasoline reservoir, according to officials.
Viktor Ustenko, a deputy head of the Ternopil regional administration, said over 90 firefighters were involved in efforts to extinguish the fire.
Both sides say they target facilities key to the military and not civilian infrastructure, but many civilians have been killed in the war.
Moscow has continued airstrikes since Ukrainian forces began an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on Aug. 6, and Russian forces have been gradually advancing in parts of eastern Ukraine.
