Russians launch seventh massive strike on Ukraine’s energy system, causing widespread damage and injuries
Ukraine’s national energy company, Ukrenerho, reported damage to civilian power infrastructure facilities in four Ukrainian oblasts following the Russian attack on the night of June 19-20, 2024.
Ukrenerho stated the main target of the Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine was Ukrainian power plants. The company also highlighted the seventh massive attack on the energy system since March 22, 2024.
The attack damaged equipment belonging to power infrastructure facilities in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Kyiv oblasts.
Moreover, Russians left the City of Kherson without electricity on June 20. The Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, announced on Telegram that power engineers have begun emergency restoration works and are grappling with the consequences of the enemy strike.
During the latest attack, seven workers were injured at two energy facilities, according to the Ministry of Energy. One of them is in critical condition.
Russian Armed Forces also targeted a thermal power plant belonging to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, injuring three power engineers and severely damaging the plant’s equipment.
“DTEK Energy’s thermal power plants were targeted over 180 times since the start of the full-scale invasion. Over this period, 53 employees were injured and three power engineers were killed in the attacks,” DTEK stated.
Also, in the Donetsk region, Russian forces shelled a team of energy workers during repairs, according to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. The attack injured a 33-year-old employee. The Ministry’s press service reports that he was taken to a hospital in Kostiantynivka, where doctors are providing necessary assistance.
In addition, Russian forces targeted a civilian car in the village of Tekstylne in the Kherson Oblast on the morning of 20 June. Prokudin wrote on Telegram that a man, 43, sustained fatal injuries in the bombardment. The official expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
On June 20, Russian militaries struck the village of Rozkishne in Donetsk Oblast with cluster munitions, killing three people and injuring four others.
“On June 20, 2024, at 12:20, the army of the aggressor struck the territory of Illinivka community in Kramatorsk district, presumably with cluster munitions from ‘Smerch’ MLRS. In the village of Rozkishne, a 64-year-old woman and two men aged 30 and 42 sustained fatal injuries,” the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office stated.
Additionally, two men aged 32 and 37, a 57-year-old woman, and a 14-year-old teenager suffered mine-explosive trauma and shrapnel wounds. Those injured in the enemy attack were taken to a hospital to receive medical assistance.
Furthermore, the shelling of the settlement damaged 4 households, 2 vehicles, and a gas pipeline.
Previously, Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to world leaders who are still not on board with the Global Peace Summit to join the collective effort. He called on them to show leadership in advancing real peace, not just a pause between strikes.
Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the efforts of the global majority are the best guarantee that all commitments will be fulfilled.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who joined the Peace Summit communiqué, and stressed that the document remains open for signature. He expressed confidence that even more countries and international organisations would join it: “We continue to work to rally the world around the goal of just peace for Ukraine, which is based on the UN Charter and international law.”
The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, stated Ukraine realises the war will end with negotiations. Therefore, it is preparing and promoting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula.
