Russia has launched massive air strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities using dozens of cruise missiles and drones in a move that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called an “act of terror.”
Western and southwestern Ukraine appeared to have borne the brunt of the attack.
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Critical infrastructure facilities were hit in the Transcarpathian region of Ivano-Frankivsk, regional Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk reported.
Onyshchuk said the attack on the region was the largest since the start of the war.
The western region of Ternopil reported “negative consequences” of the Russian strikes, without giving details. In the Lviv region, also in the west of the country, Russia attacked energy facilities, regional Governor Maksym Kozytskiy said on Telegram.
Multiple explosions were reported in the southern city of Odesa, while regional authorities in Kyiv said air defense systems were operating on December 13.
Explosions were also reported in the Cherkasy, Khmelnytskiy, and Kharkiv regions.
Zelenskiy said the attack showed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, “won’t be stopped by empty talk.”
Zelenskiy said that, according to preliminary reports, 93 missiles were launched, including at least one North Korean missile, 81 of which were shot down. In addition some 200 drones were also launched in the attack, he said.
Ukraine’s national power-grid operator, Ukrenerho, reported earlier that the strikes forced restrictions on electricity consumption throughout the country.
Zelenskiy said late on December 13 that Russia attempted to overload Ukraine’s air defenses during the massive attack.
“This time, they deliberately waited for freezing weather to strike, aiming to make life even harder for people,” he said, adding that every missile was directed at energy infrastructure.
Zelenskiy in an earlier post on X accused Putin of terrorizing millions of people.
“He is neither limited in long-range capabilities nor in acquiring the necessary components to produce missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in his impunity. A strong reaction is needed from the world: a massive attack must be met with a massive reaction. This is the only way terror can be stopped.”
Zelenskiy made the comments amid reports that he will attend a meeting with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, as well as NATO and the European Union in Brussels on December 18 to discuss support for his country.
The meeting will be hosted by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and will take place the same the day that leaders were due to meet for an EU-Western Balkans summit.
Russia has been ratcheting up its attacks across Ukraine, while making slow but steady gains in the east in recent weeks.
The intensification of fighting comes as both sides look to strengthen their positions amid signs of a potential cease-fire and peace talks in the coming months.
“Putin won’t be stopped by empty talk — strength is what is needed to bring peace. Strength that is not afraid of its ability to confront and stop evil,” Zelenskiy said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a message on Telegram that the attacks were in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on an airfield in southwestern Russia that used long-range, U.S.-supplied missiles.
“On December 11, 2024, a missile attack was launched from the territory of Ukraine by six American-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles at a military airfield near the city of Taganrog,” the ministry said.
“In response to the use of American long-range weapons,” Russia launched “a massive strike with high-precision long-range air- and sea-based weapons and drones on critical facilities of the fuel and energy infrastructure of Ukraine,” the statement said, adding that “all objectives had been fulfilled.”
Rutte said on December 12 that the Russian leader wants to “wipe Ukraine off the map” and could come after other parts of Europe next.
Putin “is trying to crush our freedom and way of life,” Rutte said, adding it is “time to shift to a wartime mindset.”
“How many more wake-up calls do we need? We should be profoundly concerned. I know I am,” he said. “Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation. With Ukraine, and with us.”
The scale of the damage of the December 13 attacks was not immediately known.
“Once again, the energy sector throughout Ukraine has come under massive attack. Energy professionals are taking all necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences for the country’s energy system,” Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook.
Echoing Zelenskiy’s words, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Kyiv’s allies to rapidly provide more air defense systems to counter the Russian attacks.
“Russia aims to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems,” Sybiha wrote.
A similar large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure took place on November 28, causing serious damage and energy shortages.
Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure since the start of the war, stepping up attacks especially at the onset of the cold season, causing maximum difficulties and lengthy power cuts for Ukrainians for the third winter in a row.
According to Ukraine’s Energy Ministry, Russia has launched more than 1,000 strikes on energy infrastructure facilities since October 2022.
Ukraine’s energy grid has already been subjected to 11 Russian attacks this year.
In 2024 alone, 9 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity has been lost due to strikes, the ministry said. It is estimated that 1 GW is enough to power a medium-sized city.
With reporting by Reuters and dpa
