On August 26, Ukraine reported a large-scale Russian airstrike in 15 regions across the country, with the main target being energy infrastructure. The attack was carried out by drones and missiles overnight, causing serious damage to Ukraine’s energy system.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal confirmed in a statement that several areas had been damaged by the airstrikes. He called for support from Kiev’s allies to prevent further attacks, stressing the need for long-range weapons and permission from international partners for Ukraine to strike Russian missile launch sites.
AFP news agency reported that early on August 26, multiple explosions were heard across the capital Kiev, forcing people to seek shelter in metro stations. Local authorities confirmed that energy infrastructure had been attacked, and at least one person was injured.
In central Ukraine, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Sergiy Lysak, said Russian forces had carried out “massive” attacks, resulting in the death of a 69-year-old man. In the Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that a power plant had caught fire and a civilian had died. In the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk, an apartment building and infrastructure were also damaged, killing at least one person.
Lviv region governor Maksym Kozytskyi said another attack targeted energy facilities in the region, causing localized blackouts in the city of Lviv and surrounding areas.
Ukraine’s energy situation is facing major challenges, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Facebook, warning that enemies continue to carry out plans to plunge Ukraine into a power shortage.
Since the conflict broke out in February 2022, Russia has launched dozens of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, causing severe damage to infrastructure, especially the energy system, disrupting the lives of millions of people.