Skip to content
Edit post

Ukraine implements rolling blackouts after recent Russian attacks on energy infrastructure

by Kateryna Hodunova May 16, 2024 12:01 AM 2 min read
Cyclist on the street of Kharkiv, Ukraine, on April 21, 2024, amid a blackout due to the Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. (Serhii Korovayny/The Kyiv Independent)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Ukraine implemented rolling blackouts on May 15 due to power shortages caused by Russian attacks, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo announced.

Moscow has recently intensified its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, destroying several thermal power plants across the country. This included the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Earlier in the day, Ukrenergo introduced emergency shutdowns for industrial and domestic users from 7:25 to 10 p.m. local time across all regions of Ukraine.

Limitations are being introduced across the country as energy consumption increased after a temperature drop, according to Ukrenergo.

"The capacity of Ukrainian power plants is not enough due to the consequences of five missile and drone attacks carried out by Russia on Ukraine's energy system since March 22," Ukrenergo's statement read.

The restrictions for industrial and domestic users will still be in effect on May 16 and a shutdown schedule will be available online.

"This will help make rolling blackouts more predictable for users and the energy system operation more secure," the statement said.

Sign up for our newsletter
Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko

The restrictions will not apply to critical infrastructure, while the limitations to other facilities and residential buildings throughout the country will be "distributed evenly."

The schedules can be found on the personal online accounts of energy supply users, as well as on the website or social media of the regional energy operator.

Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, also announced that rolling blackouts may be introduced on May 16 in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts from midnight to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to midnight local time by Ukrenergo's instruction.

Russia carried out another large-scale attack on May 8 against Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, mainly targeting energy infrastructure.

At least two hydroelectric power plants had to be decommissioned as a result of attacks.

DTEK: Russia has attacked Ukraine’s thermal power plants nearly 180 times
Moscow has recently intensified its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, launching large-scale attacks on energy facilities across the country on March 22, March 29, April 11, and April 27.

News Feed

11:17 PM

Zelensky meets with CIA director in Kyiv.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 21 that he met with CIA Director William Burns in Ukraine, marking a rare public acknowledgment of their discussions during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
4:16 AM

IMF approves $1.1 billion in funding for Ukraine.

The IMF approved the $1.1 billion tranche after completing its sixth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), a plan to provide Ukraine with over $15 billion in budget support over four years.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.