Key facts
- Russia struck a DTEK thermal power plant on August 18.
- The attack caused severe damage to equipment.
- The facility was forced to halt electricity generation.
- DTEK's thermal power plants have been targeted over 230 times since February 2022.
- Ukrainian officials warn of intensified Russian strikes on critical energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Russia launched a significant strike on August 18, damaging equipment at a thermal power plant operated by Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, and forcing it to cease electricity generation. DTEK reported that its thermal power plants have been attacked more than 230 times since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The company did not specify which plant was hit or when operations might resume. This latest incident occurs as Ukrainian officials anticipate an escalation of Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure in the lead-up to winter. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi recently chaired a meeting focused on winter preparations, emphasizing the need for energy companies to act proactively. Ukraine is also preparing for potential temporary relocations of residents if Russian strikes cause prolonged heating outages.