Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric dam, the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), is in “critical condition” following a Russian strike targeting Ukraine’s key energy infrastructure, authorities report.
Ivan Fedorov, the head of the Zaporizhzhia region military administration, informed Ukrainian television that the power plant can no longer generate electricity. He noted that traffic around the plant is “completely blocked,” forcing residents to use bridges for travel.
Russia has continued its strategy of targeting essential energy facilities this week. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy warned on Sunday of a “significant power shortage” as a consequence of these strikes. According to the ministry, emergency blackouts were implemented in several regions of Ukraine after “six massive attacks.”
The Ministry of Energy reported that energy facilities in the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk were struck, marking what the ministry described as “the sixth massive missile and drone strike on energy facilities since March 22.”
Russia’s defense ministry claimed these attacks were conducted “in response to attempts by the Kyiv regime to damage Russian energy and transport facilities.”
Ukraine is currently facing challenges along the frontlines, including ongoing aerial assaults. In May, Russia launched a surprise attack on northeastern Kharkiv, opening a new front and taking advantage of Ukrainian shortages in weaponry and manpower.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attending a summit of defense chiefs in Singapore, called on Asia-Pacific countries to participate in an upcoming peace summit, which he accused Russia of attempting to sabotage.
He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Joe Biden for the “important decision” to allow Ukraine to use American munitions for limited strikes within Russian territory but emphasized that it was not sufficient.
Last year, the Nova Kakhovka dam, another major dam and hydroelectric power plant in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, collapsed. The cause of the collapse remains unconfirmed, though several civil engineering experts have suggested that an explosion inside the structure was the most likely reason for the dam breach.
Several Western officials attributed the disaster to Russia, either directly accusing Moscow of targeting the dam or holding it responsible due to its aggression in the war on Ukraine. Russia denied any involvement in the incident and instead accused Ukraine of destroying the dam, without providing evidence.
