KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Nighttime Ukrainian strikes disrupted power and heating in two major Russian cities near the Ukrainian border, according to local Russian officials reported on Sunday. This development marks a continuation of the ongoing conflict, which has seen both nations engaging in nearly daily assaults on each other's energy infrastructure amidst stagnant U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to cease hostilities in a war that has persisted for almost four years.
A drone strike over Voronezh, a city with a population of just over 1 million, led to blackouts and heating disruptions in the area. Regional Governor Alexander Gusev stated that several drones were electronically jammed during the night, resulting in a fire at a local utility facility that was extinguished quickly. Reports from both Russian and Ukrainian news channels on Telegram indicated that the strike specifically targeted a local thermal power plant, highlighting the ongoing focus on energy resources in the conflict.
In another incident, a missile strike late on Saturday caused significant damage to power and heating systems in Belgorod, which has a population of approximately 340,000 according to the last census in 2021. Local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that around 20,000 households were affected by this assault, further exacerbating the challenges faced by residents during the winter months.
On the same day, Russia's defense ministry claimed that its forces had successfully destroyed or intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones during the night in the southwestern regions of Bryansk and Rostov. However, the statement did not provide specific information on the drone strikes in Voronezh or Belgorod, nor did it clarify how many drones were launched by Ukraine.
The persistent attacks on energy targets reflect a broader strategy by both Moscow and Kyiv to undermine each other's war efforts. Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries aim to deprive Moscow of the vital oil export revenue necessary to sustain the conflict. In retaliation, Russia has sought to cripple the Ukrainian power grid, which Ukrainian officials claim is an attempt to “weaponize winter,” denying civilians access to essential services such as heat, light, and running water.
As the war continues, the energy infrastructure has become a critical battleground, with both sides seemingly entrenched in their tactics. U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict have yet to yield significant results on the battlefield, highlighting the complexity of negotiations in the face of ongoing military operations.
