"For a long time"
One month? Two?
Ukraine’s Energy Sector as the Subject of Russian Attacks v1 web.pdf
Intensive hostilities in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions during the first months of the war resulted in considerable damage to the gas and electricity networks of regional distribution companies. They were caused by intensive shelling and direct combat actions, deployment of heavily armoured vehicles, artillery, and multiple rocket launchers. After the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated territories, most of the damaged infrastructure was repaired or replaced. However, this did not apply to territories temporarily occupied by Russians or under ongoing active combat actions. Generally, grid damages could be characterized as a combat follow up with no clear intentions or responsibility.
At the same time, Russia launched massive attacks against energy infrastructure with no military facilities that first provide basic utility services to civilians. Through these attacks, several thermal power plants were heavily damaged near the frontline in Lugansk and Donetsk regions, namely Lugansk TPP and Vuhlehirsk TPP, as well as several big solar and wind power stations in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions....
In October 2022, Russia began attacking civil energy infrastructure to cause massive blackouts and disrupt Ukrainians’ regular utility services during the heating period. This caused new migration waves, social unrest, and enforcing authorities to seek a peaceful solution on Russian terms. Using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as kamikaze drones, numerous energy infrastructure objects were targeted throughout many cities, including the electricity substations and cogeneration facilities of municipal district heating companies. To keep the energy system functioning, Ukraine introduced demand-regulation measures and stopped electricity exports to the EU, suffering additional economic and human losses far away from war areas. |
