The latest Russian drone strikes have left over 100,000 Ukrainian households without electricity, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attacks, which targeted critical energy infrastructure, affected the Poltava, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions, as the head of state announced in a post on "Telegram". This new wave of attacks has provoked a strong reaction and deepened fears for the coming winter.
Escalation of the conflict and humanitarian consequences
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, these strikes are part of a targeted policy by Moscow to destroy civilian infrastructure in the country. Such a strategy not only aims to destabilize Ukraine's energy system but also to undermine civilian life, leaving thousands of people without basic services during the coldest months of the year. Each such attack creates a wave of anxiety among the local population, who live in constant fear of the next strike. Amidst destroyed buildings and damaged facilities, people are watching as their lives are directly affected by the military actions. Last year, for example, Ukraine reported that Russia had destroyed half of its electricity generation capacity, which highlights the scale and duration of these systematic attacks.
Retaliatory actions from Kyiv
Although Russia continues to strike the Ukrainian energy grid, Kyiv has also taken retaliatory measures. In recent days, Ukrainian forces have attacked Russian refineries and an oil depot. These strikes are seen as Ukraine's attempt to respond to the ongoing aggression by seeking to affect the aggressor's military and economic infrastructure. Experts believe that this new phase of the conflict, where both sides are increasingly relying on strikes against the opponent's infrastructure, could lead to a further escalation of tensions and worsen the already severe humanitarian situation in the region. The current situation shows that the conflict is not limited to the front line but is being carried deep into the territories of both countries, with increasingly severe consequences for the civilian population.