According to Reuters, the strikes targeted critical infrastructure across multiple regions, including Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. Emergency power cuts were imposed in Odesa, while repairs continued in Volyn and Rivne. National grid operator Ukrenergo confirmed ongoing restoration efforts.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated the strike aimed at energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the assault targeted the nation’s energy infrastructure, in a post on X.
This morning began with one of the largest Russian strikes on Ukraine. 210 missiles and drones, including aeroballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of Shahed drones, were launched. All of them targeted civilian infrastructure—critical facilities like power plants… pic.twitter.com/PriNcqjJ8C
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 17, 2024
Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 104 of the 120 missiles and shooting down 42 drones, with another 41 going off radar. Nevertheless, the attack resulted in casualties in Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Neighboring Moldova reported airspace violations by Russian missiles and drones, while Poland, a NATO member, scrambled its air force as a precaution.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned Russia’s strike on X.
I strongly condemn Russia’s massive air strikes on power infrastructure across Ukraine.
Weaponising winter to freeze a nation into submission is cruel and unacceptable.
Moldova stands with Ukraine.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) November 17, 2024
The strikes appear to be a response to renewed diplomatic efforts, including a recent phone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin—the first in two years. While Scholz urged Putin to withdraw troops, Ukrainian officials criticized the conversation, arguing it undermined efforts to isolate Moscow.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also voiced frustration over the call.
No-one will stop Putin with phone calls. The attack last night, one of the biggest in this war, has proved that telephone diplomacy cannot replace real support from the whole West for Ukraine. The next weeks will be decisive, not only for the war itself, but also for our future.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) November 17, 2024
As Moscow escalates its offensive, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to secure Western military and economic support to endure the winter and sustain its resistance. Continued Russian air strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensifies concerns of prolonged blackouts as a harsh winter is impending.
