Yesterday, one of the most massive attacks on the energy infrastructure took place. Zmiivska TPP and three high-voltage substations were shelled, 40 substations of various voltages were de-energized, two 750 kV overhead lines and five 330 kV overhead lines were cut off, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko states.
"Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were left without electricity in Poltava Region, Dnipropetrovsk Region, Kharkiv Region, Sumy Region, and Donetsk Region," the minister wrote.
Even though restoration work is still ongoing, he emphasized its speed.
"Within 40 minutes, the light began to return to the homes of Ukrainians. All the main lines were connected within 4.5 hours. Power supply to consumers in Poltava and Donetsk Regions was fully restored, now 1.7 thousand consumers are still de-energized in Sumy Region, about 3 in Dnipropetrovsk, and 12 thousand in Kharkiv Region," Halushchenko noted.
According to him, to counter the consequences of such attacks and to work as efficiently and quickly as possible, power engineers are working to speed up the response, develop backup power mechanisms, provide materials for this and organize mutual assistance from all companies in the energy sector.
"According to preliminary data, four power engineers were killed during the shelling, three were wounded ... Sincere condolences to the families of the victims, bright memory to the heroes of the energy front!" – Halushchenko wrote in the message.
As a result of yesterday's shelling, electricity and water disappeared in several regions of Ukraine.