Strikes on energy facilities and casualties: here's what we know about Russia's massive attack on Ukraine.
Strikes on Energy Infrastructure and Casualties: What We Know About the Mass Attack by Russia on Ukraine
In the early hours of November 17, Russia launched a massive strike against Ukraine. Energy generation and transmission facilities came under fire, resulting in casualties and at least one death.
RBK-Ukraine has compiled all known information regarding the aftermath of the attack on Ukraine.
Around 7:00 AM, reports emerged that Russian forces were conducting large-scale attacks using drones and missiles. Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Pavlohrad, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, Rivne, and in the regions of Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, and Zakarpattia.
The Air Forces had warned of drone launches, ballistic missiles, and "Kinzhal" rockets heading towards Kyiv. Air defense systems were operational in most regions.
Strikes on Energy Infrastructure: Attack on Thermal Power Plants and Power Outages
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported that another massive attack on the energy system occurred.
"The enemy is attacking energy generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine," he wrote on Facebook.
As the main focus was on the energy sector, the transmission system operator urgently implemented emergency power cuts. Additionally, some regions experienced disruptions in electric transport and water supply.
Emergency power cuts were introduced in: Kyiv and Kyiv region, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions.
Moreover, Russia targeted DTEK's thermal power plants.
"DTEK's thermal power plants were attacked. As a result of the attacks, the equipment at the plants was severely damaged. After the shelling ended, the workers promptly began to address the consequences and restore the equipment's operation," the company clarified.
According to energy sector representatives, this marks the eighth massive attack on the company's energy facilities this year. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been shelled over 190 times.
Railway Power Outages: Some Trains Delayed
Due to the massive enemy shelling, several railway sections in the south, west, and northeast of Ukraine were left without power.
Currently, as noted by Ukrzaliznytsia, the following passenger trains are operating with delays:
- No. 51 Zaporizhia – Odesa;
- No. 207 Kharkiv - Odesa;
- No. 25/135 Yasinia, Chernivtsi - Odesa;
- No. 78 Kovel - Odesa;
- No. 87 Zaporizhia - Kovel;
- No. 59 Kharkiv - Odesa.
Rescue locomotives have already departed to restore movement on the affected sections.
Kyiv: Casualties, Fire, Debris Falling Near "Silpo"
The occupiers attempted to attack Kyiv with missiles and drones. Air defense systems were active in the capital.
Damage from falling debris from Russian targets was recorded in four districts: Pechersk, where a fire broke out on a building's roof, injuring two people; Holosiivskyi, where missile debris fell near the "Silpo" supermarket; Desnyanskyi and Dniprovskyi.
Later, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the enemy used X-101/55 cruise missiles launched from strategic Tu-95MS bombers, "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles from MiG-31K, Iskander-M (KN-23) ballistic missiles, "Zircon" missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea, and strike UAVs for the attack, including on Kyiv.
"Almost the entire territory of Ukraine was under attack. In the capital, air alarms were declared twice, lasting a total of about 5 hours," the administration noted.
Defense forces detected and destroyed several X-101/55 cruise missiles, several "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles, several Iskander-M (KN-23) ballistic missiles, and likely a hypersonic "Zircon" missile, as well as nearly a dozen strike UAVs in the airspace over Kyiv.
Mykolaiv: Attack on Residential Areas, Casualties and Injuries
At around 6:00 AM, Russian troops attacked civilian infrastructure in Mykolaiv, targeting residential areas. Initial reports indicated casualties.
By 7:00 AM, the mayor of Mykolaiv reported that six people were known to be injured.
"Unfortunately, there is one deceased person. There is damage in the residential sector," Mayor Senkevych stated.
After 8:00 AM, the head of the regional military administration, Vitaliy Kim, reported two fatalities from the Russian attack, while the State Emergency Service of the region clarified that, in addition to the two deceased women, four adults and two children were injured.
Strike on Prykarpattia: Attack on Critical Infrastructure
Prykarpattia was also restless.
"A critical infrastructure facility was under attack. A fire broke out at the scene, and rescuers are working to extinguish it," the head of the regional military administration, Svitlana Onyshchuk, reported.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. All services are operational at the site. The situation is under control.
Russia Launched a Missile Strike on Rivne
During the massive attack on Ukraine, a missile strike also hit the Rivne region.
"The target was a critical infrastructure facility. Currently, all services are working to address the aftermath of the strike. We will gradually restore electricity and water supply," noted the head of the regional military administration, Oleksandr Koval.
Nearby residential buildings were also damaged, with windows shattered.
Attack on Dnipropetrovsk Region: Infrastructure Hit, Railway Workers Killed
In the morning, Russia also attacked the Dnipropetrovsk region. In Dnipro, high-rise buildings, an educational institution, and vehicles were damaged.
Additionally, the occupiers struck an infrastructure facility in Kryvyi Rih with a missile.
"The destruction is significant, but thankfully, we do not see any casualties at this time. There is damage in the residential sector and two schools. Emergency shutdowns occurred in boiler houses, pumping stations, and several powerful hydraulic impacts on water and heat supply networks," said the head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, Oleksandr Vilkul, regarding the aftermath of the attack.
Furthermore, as reported by Ukrzaliznytsia, as a result of the enemy shelling, two railway workers were killed, and three others were injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Attack on Kremenchuk: Intense Fires and Injuries
The invaders also struck Kremenchuk with a missile.
Medical personnel are assisting a woman who was injured by falling debris while walking her dog. She is currently under medical observation.
Three Strikes on Zaporizhia: Casualties Reported
The Russians also launched three strikes on Zaporizhia. "As with the entire territory of Ukraine, they targeted critical infrastructure in the region," said the head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov.
Later, he noted that as a result of the enemy attack on Zaporizhia, two people were injured.
"A 59-year-old man is in the hospital. Medical staff are providing all necessary assistance. An 18-year-old young man declined hospitalization after being examined by doctors," he added.
Lviv Region: One Fatality and Injuries
In the Lviv region, the occupiers again targeted critical infrastructure, damaging a main heating supply pipeline.
Unfortunately, due to the fall of enemy rocket debris in the Chervonohrad (Sheptytskyi) district of Lviv region, one person was killed.