Russian shelling targets energy infrastructure in Ukraine, causing blackouts, Kiev retaliates

New Delhi: The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a devastating impact, with two people killed and at least 10 more injured by Russian shelling. Moscow’s targeted attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities have crippled production, leading to widespread blackouts and energy rationing within the country. Simultaneously, Ukraine also fired more than 60 drones over southern Russia, reportedly targeting oil refineries and a military air base, marking a worrying escalation of the strategy. Kiev claimed to have targeted two oil refineries and a military airport.

“The Russian armed forces launched another major missile attack on Ukraine,” the Ukrainian military said, AFP reported.

Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in a Facebook post, “The enemy has once again attacked the country’s energy infrastructure. In particular, facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv regions were attacked. Equipment was damaged. Is.”

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Recent missile attacks by Moscow on Ukraine’s western regions bordering the EU have raised concerns, despite these areas being far from the front lines. The Air Force of Ukraine reported intercepting a significant portion of the missiles, highlighting ongoing defensive efforts.

Just before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9 and amid Ukraine’s anticipation of US military support, the timing suggests a strategic escalation by Moscow. Immediate diplomatic action is necessary to prevent further aggression and maintain stability in the region.

According to the power operator, equipment at four thermal power plants operated by DTEK was seriously damaged in the recent overnight attacks. Additionally, the state electricity operator, Ukrainergo, took measures by disconnecting its main overhead power line in the western region of the country. In response to the damage and potential strain on the power grid, authorities have urged energy users to limit their electricity use, AFP reports.

The situation in Ukraine is continuously worsening

“We ask all consumers to minimize electricity consumption. Industry is asked to maximize electricity imports and use alternative power sources,” Ukrainergo said in a statement.

As the situation continues to worsen in Ukraine, authorities in the western Lviv region have urged residents to save energy by avoiding using appliances such as kettles, irons, washing machines and microwaves during peak hours. Meanwhile, several casualties have been reported across the country in separate incidents of shelling.

One person was killed in the attack on a village near the Russian border, in the northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukraine’s State Emergency Services Agency reports. Additionally, according to the National Police of Ukraine, one person was killed and eight others were injured in shelling in the southern Kherson region.

Missile attacks overnight also caused injuries, wounding two people in the central city of Kryvyi Rih and one in the northeastern Kharkiv region, underscoring the widespread impact of the escalating violence on civilians.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated, with Ukraine reportedly launching a drone attack on Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight. According to a Ukrainian defense source speaking to AFP, the drones targeted two oil refineries and a military airfield in the area, which lies just east of the Crimean peninsula.

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“Ukrainian drones attacked atmospheric distillation columns of the Ilsky and Slovensky refineries. These are key technological facilities,” the source said.

Russian authorities in the Krasnodar region report a fire has been confirmed at an oil refinery in the city of Slavyansk-on-Kuban. As a result, the refinery has partially suspended operations, Russian state media reported, quoting a company representative. Videos and photos circulated on social media show a massive fire that raged at the site overnight after a series of explosions. Moscow blamed Ukraine for the incident and described it as one of the largest drone attacks ever carried out on the Krasnodar region, AFP reported.

“Air defense forces destroyed and intercepted 66 Ukrainian drones on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory and two over the Crimean Peninsula,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Five people were injured when a Ukrainian drone crashed into a road in a village just kilometers from the border, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod border region said Saturday. The incident adds to the growing list of casualties and damage resulting from the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Despite concerns expressed in Washington about a potential escalation of tensions and the impact on global oil prices, Kiev has in recent months targeted several Russian oil refineries in the western part of the country. Ukraine claims it is legitimate to target Russia’s vital energy sector, citing it as a vital source of fuel and funding for the Russian military