On January 15, Russia launched numerous missiles and drones, targeting gas infrastructure and energy facilities in western regions in a fresh assault on Ukraine's struggling power system in the harsh winter conditions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Russian forces fired over 40 missiles in the morning attack and deployed more than 70 drones overnight. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 30 missiles and 47 drones, with an additional 27 drones being disrupted through electronic warfare tactics.
Zelenskiy condemned the attack on social media, emphasizing that the Russian objectives included essential gas and energy facilities crucial for sustaining normal life for Ukrainian citizens. In the capital city of Kyiv, residents sought refuge in metro stations amid the attack, braving the cold on yoga mats with their pets.
Reports from Lviv region confirmed damage to two energy facilities in Drohobych and Stryi, while in Ivano-Frankivsk, air defenses were engaged in repelling Russian assaults on key infrastructure. There were also targeted attacks on gas facilities in the Kharkiv region in the northeast.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed success in hitting all designated targets, including Ukrainian energy facilities. Despite the strikes, Ukraine's Naftogaz assured the public of uninterrupted gas supplies essential for heating and daily use.
Natural gas is a vital resource for heating homes and cooking in Ukraine, with stored reserves crucial for winter when production falls short of demand. The country's efforts to bolster energy independence, including the adoption of alternative energy sources like solar panels and batteries, have intensified in response to the escalating attacks on its power sector since March 2024.
President Zelenskiy, currently in Poland, underlined the importance of enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities, seeking support from Western allies to strengthen their security measures. He proposed the production of air defense systems and missiles as a pragmatic and imperative step to safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty amidst the ongoing conflict.