A report by the Institute for War Studies says that as Ukraine's air defense capabilities continue to decline until U.S.-provided air defense missiles arrive, the Russian military is likely to launch a large-scale attack to cause long-term damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He said it is likely to continue.
On the night of May 8, the Russian military launched its fifth major missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. According to the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oreshchuk, the Russian military has begun:
- 21 Shahed-136/131 drones
- 45 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles
- 4 Caliber sea-launched cruise missiles
- 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
- 1 Iskander-K ballistic missile
- 2 Kh-59/69 cruise missiles
- 1 Kh-47 “Kinzhal” air ballistic missile
Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 33 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, Kh-59/69 cruise missiles, and 20 Shaheds. Power generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Ivanofrankivsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts were damaged or destroyed in the attacks.
Ukrainian energy operator DTEK has reported that Russia is targeting three unspecified thermal power plants following the attack, while state-owned power transmission operator Ukrenergo has announced that regional energy authorities are targeting Ukraine due to energy shortages. It was announced that the entire state would be closed.
It wasn't just energy facilities that were attacked. Ukraine's state railway operator Ukrsaliznytsia also said Russia had damaged railway infrastructure in Kherson Oblast.
Meanwhile, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller announced that the US is working on a new defense assistance package for Ukraine as part of its support for Kiev.
In April 2024, Congress adopted $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. However, Kiev still does not receive the sufficient support it needs to defend itself from Russia's relentless attacks.
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