Putin’s “energy terror” – missiles, drones: how bad is the damage in Ukraine?

Date:

For the past week and a half, Russia has been attacking Ukraine daily with missiles and drones. Projectiles also struck the capital Kiev several times, killing dozens of civilians across the country. With this new wave of attacks, Moscow is targeting the neighboring country’s critical infrastructure in particular. Russia is preparing a “major disaster in southern Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned. Some questions and answers about the situation in Ukraine.

How big is the damage in Ukraine?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 40 percent of Ukraine’s power plants had already been damaged. Time and again parts of the country are without electricity, sometimes without water and without gas for heating. As winter approaches, this is of particular concern to the people of the war-torn country.

Ukrainian electricity exports to Europe – including Poland – were halted days ago due to Russian attacks and resulting domestic shortages. “Russia commits energy terror against Ukraine,” said the responsible ministry in Kiev.

What are the concrete consequences for the population of Ukraine?
To avoid major bottlenecks, Ukrainians are called on for days to save energy. If possible, power guzzlers such as ovens and microwaves should not be turned on at all. In addition, nationwide power outages at private households started on Thursday. The utility company Ukrenerho had previously announced that electricity in each area must be turned off for up to four hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. “This is a forced step. But we are all working together on this front,” said deputy head of the cabinet of President Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

“We do not rule out that we will ask for your help more often”
The Ukrainians were asked to charge their mobile phones and power banks in a timely manner and to have flashlights, batteries and water ready. “We do not rule out that we will ask for your help more often with a starting cold,” says Ukrenerho. In Kiev, the heating season is now open in view of the sharp drop in temperatures – also so that citizens do not use the precious electricity for private heating appliances.

Local public transport was also severely affected by the austerity measure. Only half of the electric buses are allowed to operate in the Poltava region, and none at all in Ternopil. In Kiev, only 21 of the 38 e-bus lines were in regular use, and some were replaced by petrol vehicles. Restaurants and bars were also asked to turn off electricity neon signs and decorations.

What is the background of the Russian attacks?
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin ordered renewed mass attacks after an explosion on the Crimean Bridge on Oct. 8. The structure connects Russia and the Black Sea peninsula, which was annexed in 2014 – and is important to Moscow both strategically and symbolically. Putin accused the Ukrainian secret service SBU of the momentous blast and spoke of a “terrorist attack” on Russian territory.

However, the SBU has never confirmed involvement. According to the Kremlin, the current Russian attacks are in retaliation for the Crimean Bridge incident and other attacks on objects of critical Russian infrastructure that Moscow has accused Kiev of. However, many international military observers assume that Russia’s current violent wave of attacks against Ukraine must be long-term planned.

Will the EU help Ukraine?
Internationally, the targeted shelling of power plants in an already war-torn country caused horror. The European Union has pledged support to Ukraine. According to Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, the EU, together with the energy sector, is providing funds and equipment to repair Ukraine’s infrastructure, for example for damaged grids or thermal power plants.

In March, Ukraine’s electricity grid – like that of the neighboring Republic of Moldova – was connected to that of the EU. This allows EU countries to provide Ukraine with electricity in the short term. Kiev should also be able to participate in the EU’s joint gas purchases. The system for this should be functional from next spring and allow lower prices due to the concentrated market power of the Union.

Source: Krone

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related