Russias missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight

Russian forces launched a mass missile attack against Ukraine overnight on April 27, hitting energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts, causing significant damage and casualties, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Russia fired 34 missiles at Ukraine, with the Air Force managing to shoot down 21 of them. "Equipment was damaged. At one of the facilities, an energy engineer received a concussion," stated Energy Minister German Galushchenko on Telegram, adding that the full consequences of the attack are still being assessed.

Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that four of its thermal power plants were heavily damaged in the attack, without specifying their exact locations to avoid revealing sensitive information about Ukraine's critical infrastructure. "According to preliminary information, unfortunately, there are victims... At the moment, energy workers are trying to address the aftermath of the attack," the company wrote.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where air defenses intercepted 13 of the 34 missiles, energy facilities near Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih suffered damage, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. A 39-year-old man was injured and hospitalized in stable condition, with the attack also causing disruptions to the water supply in the Kryvyi Rih district.

Later, Lysak reported that another man, aged 45, sought medical attention after the attack and was hospitalized in stable condition. Russian cruise and hypersonic missiles struck two energy facilities near Stryi and Chervonohrad in Lviv Oblast, leading to fires and destruction, according to Governor Maksym Kozytskyi. Fortunately, preliminary data indicated no casualties or damage to residential buildings.

In Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, another energy facility was targeted, causing a fire that was extinguished by emergency responders, Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk said. There were no reported casualties.

Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts are located in western Ukraine, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines. Moscow has recently escalated missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, damaging or destroying several thermal power plants, including the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier for Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

In March, attacks reportedly damaged or completely destroyed 80% of DTEK's thermal generating capacity. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant was destroyed because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack.

Zelensky highlighted the need for at least 25 Patriot air defense systems to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks across the entire country.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE NIGHT ENEMY S-300 MISSILE STRIKE ON THE TERRITORY OF THE MENTAL HOSPITAL IN KHARKIV

"At the time of the shelling, there were 60 patients and 5 workers in the medical building. The explosion damaged the building of the food block, water supply, and power lines. A 53-year-old female patient was injured, she was treated on the spot. Currently, all patients have been distributed among the departments of the hospital," said the head OVA Oleg Sinegubov.

Ukraine has received $12 billion in international aid this year to help cover budget deficit

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced during a government meeting that Ukraine has received approximately $12 billion in external financing since the beginning of the year to help cover the budget deficit.

In an address to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund forum last October, Shmyhal noted that Ukraine would require nearly $42 billion in economic assistance in 2024 to offset the deficit. He indicated that the deficit could amount to as much as 21% of Ukraine's GDP this year.

Shmyhal mentioned the recent receipt of 1.5 billion euros from the EU and added that almost $8 billion would come from the U.S. aid package that was passed this week.

He underscored that these funds are crucial for financing medical services, salaries for healthcare workers and teachers, and social programs.

"We are grateful to our allies and partners for their support," Shmyhal said.

The U.S. House of Representatives finally passed a foreign aid bill totaling $60.84 billion on April 20, after months of political infighting. The aid package became finalized after the U.S. Senate approved the bill and President Joe Biden signed it.

The external financing received by Ukraine is critical for addressing the significant economic challenges posed by the ongoing conflict with Russia. It is intended to support essential services and stabilize the economy during these uncertain times.