Air strikes will cause longer power outages in Kyiv

C: https://www.reuters.com/

Russia launched dozens of air strikes on Ukraine in October 2022. They have severe, adverse effects on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The blackouts are no longer restricted to Kyiv and spread to several central areas.

The President of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, gave a press release. He also stated that the missile strikes had destroyed one-third of Ukraine’s power. Yet, he is confident that this situation will not break Ukraine’s spirit.

The people of Kyiv are innovating measures to function during the power cutoffs. Markets and shops have installed battery-powered lights. Also, people keep their phone flashlights ready. Kyiv’s international allies, including the EU, are sympathetic to their plight. They have also stated that they are against this targeted destruction of civilian amenities.

The number of air strikes has increased. Also, it is due to the bombing of the Crimean Bridge in Russia on 9th October 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin viewed this blast, in his words, as terrorism. This bridge is essential to Putin because Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. To him, it symbolizes his efforts to incorporate as much of Ukraine into Russia as possible.

Dmytro Sakharuk is the director of DTEK. He stated that the damages to power stations are unprecedented. As a result, he says the number of power cuts will increase. It will affect street lights and electric public transport.

Pavlo is a power station employee. He also told AFP News Agency that this is the first time the workers have seen such damage at the plant. He says it is difficult to repair because the equipment is rare and challenging to replace. The Iranian “Kamikaze” missiles targeted the station where he works.

Along with Kyiv, other cities face blackouts. They are Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Poltava, and Chernihiv. Of these, Kharkiv has received heavy damage from the air strikes. Ukraine views these attacks as war crimes. It is because, from their perspective, the strikes intentionally target the civilian population.

Credits: BBC

Henry Chan