russia is targeting thermal and hydroelectric power plants to cripple Ukraine's economy. In order to protect energy facilities from Russian missile attacks, it is necessary to strengthen air defense, Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said in an interview with Bloomberg, reports UNN.
According to Bloomberg, Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities in recent weeks have been larger and better planned than in the previous two years, knocking out generating capacity and limiting electricity supplies.
The destruction was extensive, both in electricity generation and transmission. The situation is complicated. We still do not understand the extent of the damage, as many facilities are still under the rubble and we cannot get to them
The total amount of losses has not yet been officially calculated, but Galushchenko said it is already measured in billions of hryvnias and may continue to grow. He said the scale could eventually reach billions of dollars.
According to Galushchenko, Ukraine is looking for the energy equipment it needs around the world - in particular, in neighboring countries - to replace damaged equipment. But these searches may be fruitless if the country does not have sufficient air defense.
Thermal and hydroelectric power plants became the main target of Russian attacks in the spring. According to Galushchenko, these attacks threaten not only with electricity losses but also with environmental disasters.
Attacks on hydroelectric power plants are acts of terrorism and war crimes, as they affect not only the production of electricity but also the operation of dams on rivers
Russia's goal is to destroy Ukraine's economy, Galushchenko said, adding that even more damage to the power system will make it difficult to reach peak consumption this summer.
"We will definitely communicate with people," he said. "Everybody wants to live comfortably, but we have to think about the fact that there are restrictions now.
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