Russia's fierce attack, Ukraine lost 80% of thermal power output and 35% of hydropower capacity

Large-scale airstrikes targeting the power grid

Russian missiles hit power facilities in central and western Ukraine on April 27, adding to pressure on an already fragile energy system as Ukraine faces a shortage of air defenses, despite massive military aid from the United States.

Russia’s airstrikes on Ukraine were carried out using long-range missiles, including cruise missiles fired by Russian strategic bombers based in the Arctic Circle. It was the fourth large-scale air attack on the power grid since March 22.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy continued to call on partners to provide defense missiles, especially Patriot systems. He said that the targets of Russia's attack this time include electricity and gas transmission facilities, especially important facilities supplying gas to the European Union (EU).

Russia attacked and destroyed a thermal power plant in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo: Reuters)

Russia continues to supply gas to the EU via Ukraine under a transit agreement with Gazprom. The deal is due to expire in December and Ukraine has said it has no plans to extend it.

DTEK - Ukraine's largest private power company, said: "Russia has massively shelled Ukraine's energy facilities", causing damage to four of its six thermal power plants overnight.

Officials said rescuers were working to extinguish fires at several energy facilities in the western Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, which border NATO members Poland and Romania.

Following attacks on energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, water supplies were disrupted in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The commander of the Ukrainian air force informed that the Ukrainian air defense force shot down 21 out of 34 missiles launched from Russia into Ukraine during this airstrike.

Ukraine's state oil company Naftogaz said Russia attacked its facilities but no one was hurt and supplies to consumers were not disrupted.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Kiev is using long-range drones to attack the Ilsky and Slavyansk oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar region, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources told Reuters.

The source added that the drone attack carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine caused fires at facilities, including Russia's Kushchevsk military airport in the southern region.

Russian state news agency TASS quoted an executive overseeing the Slavyansk oil refinery, which was forced to suspend some operations after being damaged in the attack.

Huge power loss, Ukraine calls for more supply

Officials say Ukraine has lost 80% of its thermal power generation and 35% of its hydroelectric capacity in the Russian attacks.

The shortage of electricity production from energy sources such as nuclear will cause serious problems in balancing electricity supply and stabilizing Ukraine's power grid, especially when electricity consumption increases at the end of the year.

According to Ukrainian officials, rolling blackouts are a necessary measure to manage the situation when electricity supplies and many important energy sources suddenly decreased due to Russian attacks.

A woman clears debris from a window of a hospital building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo: Reuters)

However, the impact of these attacks is still unclear, as Ukraine's electricity consumption peaks in winter and summer. When the weather in Ukraine is stable and mild, electricity consumption will decrease, reducing pressure on the national power grid.

There are currently no plans for power cuts in the Lviv region, but Ukraine continues to urge residents to use electricity sparingly, especially during peak evening hours. Earlier, two important energy infrastructure facilities in the Stryi and Chervonohrad districts were damaged in the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more air defense supplies, faster deliveries and decisive action from Kiev's allies.

The US approved a major aid package for Ukraine this week, overcoming a six-month congressional deadlock as Kiev's arsenal ran low.

The Pentagon also said it would buy $6 billion worth of new weapons for Ukraine, including interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who visited Lviv on April 27, announced a $100 million military aid package that includes short-range air defense and drones with air-to-ground precision munitions.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/nga-tan-cong-du-doi-ukraine-mat-80-san-luong-nhiet-dien-va-35-cong-suat-thuy-dien-317293.html