Kyiv faces power disruptions after Russian strikes

Russian strikes on the Kyiv region over the weekend left five individuals injured and caused damage to a bridge, as well as energy facilities, according to local authorities. Following the enemy's night-time assault, energy infrastructure in both the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions was affected, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported. Klitschko highlighted disruptions to Kyiv's heating and water supply systems, emphasizing that the capital's energy supply was in a dire state.

He announced the closure of the Pivnichnyi Bridge to traffic in both directions while experts evaluated the damage. A video showed Klitschko at the bridge, pointing out its surface damage, as well as harm to the trolleybus overhead line and power line. Additionally, five vehicles in a nearby car park sustained damage from the blast wave.

Klitschko informed that five people, including a child, were wounded during the attack on the capital. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier warned of more strikes targeting Ukraine's energy sector and civilian infrastructure, urging for the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles. Russia's strategy appears to focus on destroying power grids, transformers, and switchgear, even if generating capacity is adequate, leading to shortages in certain regions.

The US State Department recently approved a $2.1 billion package of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors for Kyiv, but Zelenskyy maintains that the delivery process could take years. The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly emphasized the importance of these missiles for Ukraine's air defenses and has been urging allies to expedite their delivery before winter.

Russia has consistently attempted to target Ukraine's power grid during winter periods since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.