The Russian Army on Thursday, November 28, intensified its assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, forcing emergency power outages across the country as temperatures plummeted.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid, which has been a key target since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, confirmed that the country’s energy sector was under a “massive enemy attack,” with the strikes affecting power facilities nationwide.
Following a nationwide air alert for incoming missiles, Ukraine’s Air Force reported a barrage of Russian cruise missiles and attack drones aimed at several major cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and the Black Sea port city of Odesa.
Galushchenko revealed that the country’s national power grid operator, Ukrenergo, had been forced to implement urgent emergency power cuts as temperatures dropped to around 0°C (32°F). Energy provider DTEK also confirmed that regions including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Donetsk were experiencing outages due to the strikes.
“The energy sector is under massive enemy attack. Attacks on energy facilities are happening across Ukraine,” Galushchenko said.
The nationwide attack, which began overnight, was still ongoing as of 8 am (0600 GMT), and authorities warned that further details would be provided once the security situation allowed.
This wave of missile strikes comes as both sides have escalated their military actions, launching new weapons to gain the upper hand ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Russian Tactics of Terror
The latest wave of strikes has been condemned by Ukraine’s leadership as part of Russia’s continued “terror tactics.” Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, stated that Russia had stockpiled missiles specifically for attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, aiming to cause maximum hardship to civilians during the harsh winter months.
“This is a clear strategy of warfare against civilians,” Yermak said, warning that Ukraine would respond firmly to Russia’s actions. A senior United Nations official, Rosemary DiCarlo, also cautioned that the ongoing Russian strikes could make this winter the “harshest since the start of the war.”
As Russia targets Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the humanitarian toll is rising. Power cuts and damaged heating systems threaten to leave millions without warmth in sub-zero temperatures, compounding the suffering of a population already facing the devastation of war.
Russian Retaliation and Increased Tensions
The situation is further complicated by recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. Ukraine has used US-supplied ATACMS missiles in attacks on Russian border regions, including at least three strikes on Russian-held areas. In response, Russia has deployed new weapons, including hypersonic ballistic missiles, and has reported downing 25 Ukrainian drones in one night.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also delivered an angry address, warning that Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles could target Western nations if they continue to supply arms to Ukraine. Putin’s rhetoric and military actions underscore the increasing risks of broader conflict as the war enters its second year.
Meanwhile, the United States is adjusting its diplomatic approach to the conflict. President-elect Donald Trump, who has campaigned on securing a quick end to the war, recently appointed retired general Keith Kellogg as his envoy for Ukraine. Kellogg, a staunch loyalist, is tasked with finding a resolution to the ongoing crisis. However, his calls for peace talks have raised concerns in Kyiv, where there are fears that the US may pressure Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for a ceasefire.
Military Strain and Growing Manpower Shortages
On the battlefield, Russian troops have been making steady progress in the east, where they are benefitting from superior manpower and ammunition stocks. As Russia advances, Ukraine faces mounting pressure, and the Biden administration has urged Kyiv to lower the minimum age for military conscription to 18 to address severe manpower shortages along the front line.
With the war intensifying as winter sets in, the outlook for Ukraine remains uncertain, with civilian infrastructure increasingly targeted and international diplomatic efforts continuing to evolve.
