According to reports, the largest power-generating plant in Ukraine's Kyiv region was destroyed in a missile attack on Thursday. This attack is part of a series of escalating strikes on infrastructure by Moscow.
A significant fire broke out at the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant (TPP) due to shelling, according to a statement from energy company Centrenergo. The company is currently focused on containing the fire in the plant's turbine workshop, CNN reported.
Russia Airstrikes Destroy Ukraine's Largest Power Plant
Fortunately, there were no casualties and the attack did not cause any power cuts in Ukraine's capital region, Kyiv, or other regions supplied by Trypilska TPP.
According to a statement from Centrenergo, the plant supplied electricity to the regions of Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr, making it the largest supplier in the area.
The energy company has experienced a complete loss of power generation across its three plants. These plants have either been destroyed or occupied by Russia, resulting in what can only be described as a devastating day for Centrenergo.
Throughout the course of the conflict spanning over two years, there has been a deliberate focus by a certain nation on undermining Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The aim has been to disrupt the power grid and consequently impact the well-being of the Ukrainian population, particularly during the harsh winter months, by depriving them of vital services such as electricity, heat, and water.
Russia Targets Ukraine's Energy Grid
Following the invasion, there was a significant power outage in Ukraine as Russian forces took over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
This plant, the largest in Europe, used to contribute around 20% of the country's electricity production.
Ukrainian personnel have taken the necessary steps to ensure the reactors at the plant are in a state of "cold shutdown" to prevent any potential radioactive incident.
According to a statement from Centrenergo, the Trypilska plant was targeted in an attack, similar to the one that destroyed the company's plant in the Kharkiv region, Zmiivska TPP, on March 22.
In July 2022, the third plant of the company, Vuhlehirska TPP, was occupied by Russian troops in the Donetsk region. According to the company's website, the combined capacity of the three power plants was 7690 MW.
Footage circulating on social media depicted the immense columns of smoke emanating from Trypilska TPP, as the fire persisted unabated, according to Reuters.
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