Ukraine Hunts for Grid Equipment, Ammunition to Avoid Summer Blackouts
- Russia has struck thermal, hydropower plants to hurt economy
- Government may raise prices, ask citizens to conserve power
Staff check damage caused by a Russian missile attack at an energy plant in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on April 2.
Photographer: Oksana Parafeniuk/For The Washington Post/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Ukraine needs improved air defenses to protect its energy assets from Russia’s missile attacks and avoid blackouts this summer when electricity use approaches its winter peak, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.
Energy facilities have become key targets for both Russia and Ukraine as the war drags into its third year. Moscow’s forces have struck at the Ukrainian energy grid to cripple its economy, while Kyiv has targeted Russia’s oil refineries to reduce fuel supplies to its military and the revenue it needs to finance the invasion.