Topline
Nearly half of Ukraine is without power Friday following a string of missile strikes—including the most recent attack Tuesday— according to Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Reuters reported.
Almost half of Ukraine is without power.
Key Facts
“Almost half of our energy system is disabled” after Russia fired more than 100 missiles at Ukraine’s power facilities this week, Shmyhal said, with a power blackout affecting about 10 million people.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, has reported between 1.5 and 2 million people—accounting for about half of the city’s population—are without power, according to the Associated Press.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s primary electricity provider, said Friday that worsening conditions as a result of the incoming winter “complicates the already difficult situation in the energy system,” adding that electricity has been restricted in some areas as the company works to restore infrastructure.
Tangent
European Union trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis condemned the Russian invasion and offered Ukraine additional financial support moving forward in a meeting with Shmyhal and Zelensky, according to Reuters. Kyiv is expected to receive 2.5 billion euros in assistance as of next week, while an additional 18 billion euros in support will be added starting with a new program in January.
Key Background
Russia first began its wave of missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s power grid on Oct. 10 and has periodically continued its aerial assault. Missiles fired by Russian forces Tuesday struck residential buildings in Kyiv. A missile killed two more in Poland hours later and was initially believed to be Russian-made, but was later determined to be fired by Ukraine.
Further Reading
Russian Missiles Strike Residential Buildings In Kyiv (Forbes)
Russian-Made Missile Hits Town In Poland, Government Says—Killing Two (Forbes)
