Ukraine cuts off Russian Starlink satellite internet service

Ukraine Prepares for Potential Power Blackouts Amid Ongoing Russian Strikes

Ukraine’s energy minister, Denys Shmyal, warned residents of potential power blackouts in the coming days as Russian air attacks continued on Thursday. The strikes have targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure 217 times this year, according to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Emergency crews are working to restore power to 1,100 buildings in Kyiv alone, with 200 teams involved in the effort. Russia has been targeting Ukrainian power stations, gas pipelines, and power cables since mid-January, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without heat or electricity.

On January 29, US President Donald Trump reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for a week. However, this moratorium was not observed, as Russia launched one of its largest strikes ever on energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv on Tuesday, deploying 71 missiles and 450 drones.

The strike coincided with a visit to Kyiv by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and came a day before tripartite talks among Russia, Ukraine, and the US resumed in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russians broke their promise, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the moratorium.

In response to Russian tactics, Ukraine has developed new strategies, including a short-range “small air defence” force that uses drones to counter drones. The country’s Air Force has managed to shoot down 38 out of 71 missiles deployed during the recent strike, with a high proportion of ballistic missiles being intercepted.

The situation remains fluid, with at least two people killed in Zaporizhzhia and several others injured as they walked on a street. Russia continues to adapt its tactics, including using drones to target Ukrainian logistics and making attempts to extend their range.

Source: Al Jazeera