In the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a Ukrainian underground gas storage (UGS) site fell victim to Russian missile strikes on Sunday. This attack adds to a series of strikes on power facilities across the country. Despite the assault, Ukraine’s state-run Naftogaz energy firm assures consumers that gas supplies remain unaffected.
According to Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov, while equipment at the gas storage site sustained damage, efforts are underway to repair it swiftly. He reassures the public that the UGS operations won’t be critically impacted as the gas is stored deep underground, minimizing the disruption to supply chains.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledges the challenges faced in restoring power supplies, particularly in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. However, he asserts that efforts are underway to address these issues and mitigate the impact on citizens.
In response to the recent wave of attacks, Ukraine has increased its imports of electricity and halted exports. The attacks have significantly affected energy producer DTEK, resulting in a 50% loss of capacity, according to Volodymyr Kudritskyi, head of Ukrenergo.
Zelenskiy informs the public of power shortages in Kharkiv, necessitating strict schedules for power usage and rolling blackouts in some areas. Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to restore normalcy to affected regions.
Serhiy Kovalenko, representing distribution firm Yasno, confirms the severity of the damage caused by the attacks, noting the impact on both thermal and hydropower plants. He emphasizes that Russia targeted critical energy infrastructure, causing disruptions to the energy grid.
While acknowledging the attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the Ukrainian energy ministry also reports attempts to target critical facilities in the Lviv and Kyiv regions. Efforts to address these incidents are ongoing, with no casualties reported.
Naftogaz’s Chernyshov reassures the public of ongoing efforts to localize and mitigate the impact of the attacks. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, Ukraine remains committed to ensuring the continuity of essential services for its citizens.
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