Russia hits Akhmetov-owned power plant in latest wave of energy attacks

On the evening of October 7, Russian forces launched a missile strike on one of DTEK Energy’s thermal power plants, the company reported on its website.

Two power engineers were injured, and the plant’s equipment sustained severe damage. After the attack, workers immediately began repair efforts.

DTEK Energy is working in coordination with Ukrenergo to minimize the impact of the strike on the country’s power system.

The company noted that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, its thermal power plants have been targeted by missile and drone attacks more than 200 times, making it increasingly difficult to maintain a stable electricity supply.

DTEK is one of Ukraine’s largest electricity producers. It operates eight thermal power plants, two of which — Zaporizhzhia (Enerhodar) and Luhansk (Shchastia) — are located in temporarily occupied territories. Another plant, Kurakhove, was dismantled and evacuated before Russian forces seized the city.

• According to the Energy Ministry, on October 7 Russian troops attacked energy facilities at least 26 times. Unlike in previous years, the occupying forces are now simultaneously striking both gas and electricity infrastructure. Because of the damage to gas production facilities, Ukraine will have to increase gas imports by about 30%, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said.
• On October 4, the Energy Ministry appealed for international assistance in response to the intensified Russian strikes.