Ukraine's counterattacks disrupt electricity and heating supply in two Russian cities

International Desk | PNN

In response to Russia's attempts to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Ukraine's counterattacks have severely damaged the electricity and heating systems in at least two major cities across the border.

Late Sunday night, Russian cities Belgorod and Voronezh suffered significant damage to power plants and heating networks due to Ukrainian drone and missile strikes. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that nearly 20,000 households lost electricity and the main heating pipeline was damaged.

Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev said that while several drones were intercepted, one utility facility caught fire, which was later brought under control. Local residents reported that the sound of explosions spread panic throughout the city all night.

The Russian Ministry of Defense did not mention the Belgorod or Voronezh incidents in its statements but claimed that it had destroyed or intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones. On the same night, fires broke out in multiple transformer stations in Taganrog, Rostov region, causing power outages for hours.

Meanwhile, Russia launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks across Ukraine. Kyiv and Kharkiv’s power plants suffered extensive damage, with at least seven casualties, according to Ukrainian officials.

State-owned energy company, Centrenergo, stated that this is the largest attack on their facilities since the war began in 2022, forcing several power plants in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions to suspend operations.

Russia claims to have conducted “precise and extensive” strikes on Ukraine’s arms production centers and gas infrastructure. Ukraine, on the other hand, says Russia is deliberately destroying civilian electricity and heating facilities, using winter as a weapon.

Diplomatic movements are also underway. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the state news agency RIA Novosti on Sunday that he is willing to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the Ukraine war and Russian-American relations. However, Lavrov clarified, “No peace is possible if Russia’s interests are ignored.” Moscow still demands Ukraine withdraw troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that some areas could be “temporarily occupied,” but he does not have the mandate or authority to hand over any territory to Russia.

The war is approaching four years, and U.S.-led efforts to establish peace remain stalled, while both nations continue targeting each other’s energy infrastructure daily.