Russian drone attack cuts off power and heating for thousands of Ukrainian families

After Russian kamikaze drones hit an energy infrastructure facility in the Odesa Oblast (southern Ukraine) during a nighttime attack, 2,000 Ukrainian families were left without electricity and heating, according to DTEK, the Ukrainian energy company.

Last night, Russia attacked Ukraine with Shahed kamikaze drones. According to Ukraine's Air Force, the Ukrainian air defense took down 29 out of 38 drones. However, some of the drones hit critical civilian infrastructure in the Odesa Oblast. One civilian employee was injured and hospitalized.

According to DTEK, the Russian drone attack cut civilians off from electricity and heating. Unfavorable weather conditions further complicate the situation, DTEK reported. Power engineers are already working to restore the power supply.

According to Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo (electricity transmission system operator in Ukraine and the sole operator of the country's high-voltage transmission lines), the Russian attack and the resulting damage to the regional power grid facility in the Odesa Oblast will not affect the stability of the power system.

Last year, Russia launched over 1,200 missiles and kamikaze drones to destroy Ukraine's energy system and cut off millions of people in Ukraine from electricity and heating in the face of a cold winter. Ukrainian officials have already warned that Russia is likely to launch another missile and drone campaign against Ukraine's energy system this year.

Related:

• Russia unleashes kamikaze drones on Ukraine, 29 shot down
• DTEK energy company: more air defense systems needed to protect power plants
• EU announces over USD 52 mln assistance for Ukraine ahead of winter
• Russia used over 1,200 missiles and kamikaze drones to destroy Ukraine's energy system, Ukrenergo says
• How Ukraine's power grid survived a winter of Russian energy terror