Russia attacks Kyiv’s energy infrastructure, aiming to cut power to the left bank

Yesterday, Russian strikes hit CHP-5, the Darnytsia CHP, and several substations in Kyiv, as well as the Trypilska thermal power plant in the region.

This was reported on the Novyny.LIVE television channel by energy expert Stanislav Ignatyev.

According to Ignatyev, five missiles were fired at the Darnytsia CHP, after which a fire at the facility could not be extinguished for a long time. Strikes on a number of Ukrenergo substations triggered emergency power outages in the capital. The situation at the substations is not critical, according to the expert’s assessment, however repair crews are unable to address the damage due to the threat of new strikes.

A truck driver was killed at CHP-5 during the strike.

Ignatyev explained the likely purpose of the attacks on energy facilities:

“The enemy is today attempting for the third time to cut the power transmission line across the Dnipro from the CHP-5 substation — which is effectively a transit station at this point, since it does not generate a sufficient volume of energy for both the Holosiivskyi district and the Darnytskyi district — in order to leave a significant part of the capital’s left bank, one of the largest urban districts in Ukraine, without a stable electricity supply,” Ignatyev said.

The expert also noted that the capital has backup power sources, but they do not prevent outages.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense yesterday announced that the Trypilska thermal power plant and the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant had been struck.

Experts warn that with the onset of cold weather, Ukrainian combined heat and power plants and substations may become more visible targets for Russian drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.