At least three individuals have lost their lives following a significant assault by Russia across Ukraine, resulting in severe damage to essential power and water supplies.
Explosions were reported in multiple cities, including Kyiv, on Monday morning as over half of Ukraine’s regions faced attacks.
Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk, and the Dnipropetrovsk region confirmed fatalities from the extensive air raid, which involved both missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister emphasized that Russia has been deliberately targeting energy infrastructure, a sustained strategic approach by Moscow’s forces.
The coordinated drone and missile strikes began overnight and persisted into the morning hours. Explosions echoed from Lutsk in the west to Dnipro in the east, prompting residents to seek shelter as air raid alerts were issued nationwide.
Prime Minister Denys Shmygal disclosed that 15 regions were attacked, specifically targeting energy infrastructure with the use of drones and various missile types.
“There are wounded and dead,” Shmyhal stated, confirming casualties through official communications.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a 69-year-old man was reported killed as a result of the attacks, with local officials indicating several homes sustained damage. Tragically, a resident in Zaporizhzhia also died when their home was struck. Additionally, the mayor of Lutsk reported a casualty from an attack on an “infrastructure facility.”
In Poltava, five individuals were injured due to an attack on an “industrial facility,” with officials urging continued sheltering throughout the evening.
The attacks have resulted in significant infrastructure damage, prompting widespread power outages in numerous cities, including Kyiv, and disruption to water supplies.
Emergency blackouts have been implemented, with energy companies actively working to restore electricity nationwide. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been a primary target, with renewed strikes in recent months leading to repeated blackouts.
In June, reports indicated that significant portions of Ukraine’s electricity generation capabilities had been damaged by ongoing assaults since late March. Despite purchasing energy from the European Union, alternative solutions remain insufficient, prompting regular nationwide blackouts to prioritize essential services like hospitals and military installations.
While the Russian military has been making incremental advancements in eastern Ukraine, Ukraine has attempted a surprise offensive into Kursk, aimed at diverting Russian attention from the eastern front. However, assessments suggest this initiative has not significantly altered the situation on the ground, with Russian forces remaining heavily engaged.
On Monday, Ukraine reportedly attempted to strike an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow, although no casualties or damages have been confirmed. Additionally, Russia’s defense ministry reported the downing of nine drones over its Saratov region, located 560 miles from Ukraine’s border.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelensky, urged Ukraine’s allies to authorize long-range strikes against Russia using Western-supplied weaponry.
