The consequences of strikes on Ukrainian territory can be called very significant, but not critical. To ensure a long-term effect, such attacks should become regular
On the morning of October 10, Russia launched a massive missile attack on the territory of Ukraine. Its main target was the country’s power infrastructure facilities.
Scale of the Strike
The Russian side did not name the exact number of missiles fired, while estimates on the Ukrainian side vary widely. Media outlets give different figures – from 100 to 140 missiles. Valeriy Zaluzhniy, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, said that 75 missiles were fired at the territory of the country, of which 41 were allegedly shot down.
In addition to the missiles, drones Geran-2 were also used. It is worth noting that some of the damage was caused not by the Russian strikes themselves, but by Ukrainian air defense missiles, which failed to hit their targets.
Consequences of the Strikes
In a daily update, Russian army spokesman General Igor Konashenkov did not voice the exact targets of the attack or the extent of destruction achieved. “The purpose of the strike has been achieved. All targets have been hit,” he said.
According to the Ukrainian media, power plants were damaged: Kyiv combined heat and power (CHP-3) and CHP-5 plants, Darnitsa CHP plant, Krivoy Rog CHP plant, Lvov CHP plant, Burshtyn CHP plant, and Pridneprovskiy CHP plant. In addition, 330 kV substations in different regions of the country were targets of the strikes.
Such massive damage to the energy infrastructure resulted in power outages. The Poltava, Kharkov, and Sumy regions were completely de-energized.
In many other regions there were problems with power supply in some cities. On the evening of 10 October, the mayor of Lvov posted photos of the city without street light on social networks.
The head of Ukrenergo Vladimir Kudritskyi said that during the next few days there could be planned blackouts in Ukraine. In Kiev and the Kiev region have already introduced district-by-district blackouts for 4 hours. According to media reports, the full restoration of infrastructure in the country may take up to two weeks.
To compensate for the deficit in power supply, Ukraine had to stop exporting power to the European Union starting from October 11. The country’s budget losses from this are estimated at €8-11 million per day.
Diplomatic Implications
Kiev’s allies have issued statements sharply condemning Russia’s actions, but only the United States has voiced specific measures to increase support. President Joe Biden said that Washington would supply Ukraine with air defense systems.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky managed to organize an extraordinary video meeting of G7 heads of state at which he will be given a speech. The main topic of the call is expected to be new anti-Russian sanctions.
Conclusion
The consequences of the strikes on the territory of Ukraine can be called significant, but not critical. Ukraine will be able to restore its power supply system in a relatively short period of time.
The morning of October 11 also began with strikes on the territory of Ukraine. The country’s authorities have already reported that the Ladyzhinskaya thermal power plant in the Vinnitsa region has been knocked out, and there was information about strikes in the Odessa region, Zaporozhye, and Kremenchug.
If the strikes continue and the crisis in Ukraine’s energy infrastructure persists, it will lead to the collapse of the country’s economy. Logistics will become considerably more difficult, which will dramatically complicate supplying the army. Whether this will create the conditions for a turning point on the frontline depends not only on this, but also on many other factors.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
