CNN
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Russia Destroyed a huge power plant of Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky accused the West of “turning a blind eye” to his country's need for more air defense after Thursday's missile attack on the Kyiv region.
Ukraine's air force said it shot down 18 of the incoming missiles and 39 drones. Russia launched a total of 82 missiles and drones, including six hypersonic Kinzel missiles — none of which Ukraine's air defenses were able to shoot down.
There were no casualties and the attack did not cause power outages in Ukraine's capital Kiev or other areas served by the Trybilska TPP.
The Trypilska Thermal Power Plant (TPP), the largest supplier of electricity to Kyiv, Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions, was completely destroyed, according to energy company Centernergo. The company lost 100% of its power output at three of its plants, all of which were destroyed or occupied by Russia.
“A black day in the history of Centrenergo,” it said in a statement. “The extent of the destruction is appalling. Money cannot be measured. This is our biggest challenge in the company's history.
More than two years into the war, Russia is in the process Targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure The spirit of the Ukrainian people in an attempt to break the country's power grid by cutting off electricity, heat, water and other essential services in the often freezing winter temperatures.
Videos on social media showed huge plumes of smoke still billowing from the Trypilska plant.
Attack on Trypilska plant follows the latest Russian attack that destroyed the company's plant Zmiivska TPP in the Kharkiv region on March 22, according to a Centernergo report. In July 2022, Russian troops occupied the company's third plant, Vuhlehirska TPP, in the Donetsk region. The total designed capacity of the three power plants is 7690 MW, according to the company's website.
DTEK, Ukraine's largest power producer, said Russia launched missile and drone strikes against two power plants it owns on Thursday, causing “serious damage”.
The company, which produces 20% of Ukraine's energy, said it had suffered the worst attacks in the past three weeks since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. It said approximately 80% of the power generation facilities it operates have been destroyed. by Russian strikes.
“All our European neighbors and other partners see Ukraine's critical need for air defense systems,” Zelensky said Thursday. If Russia continues to allow strikes on its energy infrastructure, he said, “it would be tantamount to a global license for terrorism.”
“We need air defense systems and other security assistance, not just closed-eye and long discussions,” he said.
Despite the devastation, Andrey Kota, chairman of Centrenergo's supervisory board, said, “I'm sure we'll get through it.”
Ukraine has previously dealt with significant power losses. After the invasion, the greatest loss occurred when the Russian forces took control Zaporizhia The nuclear power plant – the largest in Europe – previously accounted for 20% of the country's electricity production. Ukrainian workers have put the plant's reactors into a “cold shutdown” to prevent a major radiological incident.
