Russian Drone Strikes Damage Ukrainian Power Plant, Leaving Thousands Without Heat
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on Sunday that Russian drone attacks severely damaged a thermal power plant in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, overnight. The strike left at least 46,000 consumers without heating as temperatures dropped below freezing.
In a statement on Telegram, Shmyhal condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate effort to deprive people of heat in freezing conditions, potentially causing a humanitarian crisis.
Ukraine’s Defense Efforts Against Drone Attacks
Russia launched 143 drones during the overnight assault, but Ukraine’s military reported shooting down 95 while 46 failed to reach their targets, thanks to electromagnetic countermeasures designed to disrupt drone operations.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that at least one person was injured, and several homes in the Kyiv region were also damaged.
Zelenskiy Urges More Air Defenses from the West
Following the attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed calls for increased Western air defense support, warning that Russia now occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory and continues to advance in the east as its full-scale invasion nears its third anniversary.
Zelenskiy highlighted alarming statistics, stating that within the past week alone, Russia had launched around 1,220 aerial bombs, over 850 drones, and more than 40 missiles into Ukrainian-controlled areas.
Russia Yet to Respond
Moscow has not yet commented on the attack. However, both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in the ongoing war, which began nearly three years ago.
Zelenskiy stressed the urgency of international support, stating:
“Europe and the world must be better protected from such evil and prepared to confront it.”