Zelensky: Russian bombing destroyed all Ukrainian power stations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning at the Munich Security Conference, revealing the immense damage inflicted on his country's energy infrastructure. In his address on Saturday, Zelenskyy asserted that Russia's ongoing attacks had left no power plant in Ukraine undamaged, a statement reflecting the depth of the humanitarian and strategic crisis facing Kyiv as the war continues.
Systematic targeting of infrastructure
In his address to world leaders and defense officials, the Ukrainian president explained that intense and repeated Russian bombing had damaged all of the country's thermal and hydroelectric power plants. "There is not a single power plant in Ukraine that has not been damaged by Russian strikes," Zelenskyy stated unequivocally. Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Moscow of employing a "weaponization of winter" strategy, deliberately depriving Ukrainian civilians of electricity and heating as temperatures plummet to record lows, thus exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
A race against time to strengthen air defenses
Zelensky addressed the logistical and military challenges his forces face in countering these attacks, highlighting the arduous efforts to secure ammunition for Western-made air defense systems. He added, "Sometimes we manage to deliver new missiles for Patriot or NASMS systems just before an attack, and sometimes at the last minute." He reiterated his appeal to Western allies to expedite the delivery of weapons and ammunition for the air defense systems Ukraine has acquired, to ensure the protection of remaining distribution networks and the repair of damaged stations.
Context of the conflict: The energy war as a parallel front
Zelensky's remarks come in the context of a long-standing Russian campaign aimed at crippling the Ukrainian economy and breaking the morale of the population. Since the fall of 2022, Russian forces have focused their missile and drone strikes on power plants and transformers, causing periodic power outages across the country. This strategy is part of a war of attrition designed to exhaust the Ukrainian state's capacity to resist and divert military resources to defending cities rather than the front lines.
Regional and international repercussions
The destruction of Ukraine's energy sector has far-reaching consequences, placing immense pressure on neighboring European countries and international backers. The continued devastation of infrastructure means an increased need for emergency financial assistance to repair the networks, as well as the potential for new waves of refugees fleeing the cold and darkness. The Munich Security Conference is a vital platform for mobilizing international support, where Zelenskyy is using these shocking realities to secure continued military and economic aid for his country in the face of what he calls "energy terrorism.".
