KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian airstrikes have left two significant Russian cities without power and heating, according to local officials reported on Sunday.
This news comes amid ongoing assaults on each other’s energy systems by both Russia and Ukraine, with diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. failing to make any noticeable headway in ending the almost four-year-long conflict.
In another development, Ukraine’s foreign minister mentioned that a large-scale Russian drone and missile strike on Friday targeted a substation that provides electricity to two nuclear power plants, alleging that Russia is intentionally compromising nuclear safety.
Power outage in two Russian cities
According to regional Governor Alexander Gusev, the drone assault led to a temporary power cut, affecting heating in parts of Voronezh. He noted that several drones were electronically jammed overnight in this city of more than a million residents, resulting in fires at public facilities that were quickly put out.
Reports from both Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels indicated that a local thermal power plant was the intended target of this attack.
Additionally, a missile strike late Saturday caused significant harm to the power and heating infrastructure in Belgorod, impacting around 20,000 homes, as reported by local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov the following morning.
This city, with a population of about 340,000 according to the 2021 census, serves as the administrative center of its region.
On Sunday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that their military had either destroyed or intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones that flew over southwestern Russia during the night. However, they did not address the incidents in Voronezh or Belgorod and did not specify how many drones were launched from Ukraine.
There have been near-daily clashes targeting energy facilities by both nations as the war grinds on.
Ukrainian authorities, along with Western allies, claim that Russia is attempting to dismantle Ukraine’s power grid to strip civilians of essential services like heat, light, and water for the fourth consecutive winter, while also weaponizing the cold.
Attacks jeopardize nuclear power supply
A large-scale assault involving Russian drones and missiles on Friday hit a substation that powers two of Ukraine’s nuclear plants, according to Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha.
“This isn’t a random act; these attacks were methodically planned,” he remarked on Broadcast X late Saturday. “Russia is putting Europe’s nuclear security at risk.”
There are rising concerns regarding Ukraine’s Energy Ministry and its effectiveness in safeguarding critical energy infrastructure, particularly near nuclear power stations, as highlighted by several current and former officials.
Mr. Sibikha urged for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s governing board to discuss the risks stemming from the attacks.
Russia’s Lavrov open to discussions with Rubio
In another part of the world, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his willingness to sit down with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and efforts to mend bilateral ties.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I recognize the need for ongoing dialogue,” Lavrov stated through a local Russian agency, acknowledging the frozen attempts to arrange a summit between the U.S. and Russia.
He also reiterated that achieving peace requires attention to “Russia’s interests,” a phrase reflecting Russia’s rigid stance in the ongoing tensions regarding Ukraine.
