Kyiv – A Russian drone attack overnight targeted four power facilities near Odesa, a southern Ukrainian city. As a result, over 29,000 customers lost electricity on Sunday morning, according to the region’s governor and the power company DTEK, reports 24brussels.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Air Forces reported that Russian forces conducted 142 airstrikes overnight, deploying 142 drones of various types. The military indicated that these drone strikes originated from the Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk regions, as well as Chauda in occupied Crimea. The Defence Forces confirmed that they successfully downed or intercepted 126 drones across the north, south, and east of the country.
What damage was caused by Russian drones?
Oleh Kiper, head of the broader Odesa region, stated that the port city of Chornomorsk, near Odesa, experienced the most significant damage, impacting both residential and administrative buildings. Kiper reported the injuries of one individual as a result of the attack on his Telegram channel.
“Critical infrastructure is being run on generators,”
Kiper explained that Ukraine’s largest energy company, DTEK, confirmed that four of its power plants were affected during the night. The company stated that emergency repairs will commence as soon as they receive clearance from military and emergency services.
How has Russia intensified drone strikes before the winter season?
In recent weeks, Russia has significantly escalated its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, targeting key installations in multiple regions. These strikes have led to widespread blackouts, affecting over 100,000 residents in Poltava, Sumy, and Chernihiv.
Russia’s systematic use of large-scale drone and missile strikes has caused considerable damage to gas transport systems, electrical substations, and other vital energy infrastructure. For instance, on August 27, Russia launched a coordinated drone attack aimed at energy and gas transport systems across six Ukrainian oblasts: Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk.
