Russia’s defence ministry announced Wednesday that its forces launched a massive overnight strike against key Ukrainian infrastructure. According to the ministry, the operation hit a communications centre in the capital, multiple energy facilities in the Kyiv region, and port infrastructure in the Odesa‑region city of Izmail.
Targets in Kyiv
The ministry said the strike struck the De Novo data centre, describing it as a major internet traffic exchange hub that supports the Ukrainian armed forces. In the surrounding Kyiv region, Russian forces allegedly hit the Kyivska power substation near Nalyvaikivka, the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant in Vyshhorod, the Trypilska thermal power plant and an energy‑storage facility in Horenychi. Russian officials claim these facilities supply electricity to Ukraine’s military‑industrial sector and to military sites in and around the capital.
Port strike in Izmail
In the Odesa region, the ministry reported that Russian forces struck an industrial complex at the port of Izmail. The complex, according to Moscow, is used to receive, store and transport military cargo and fuel for the Ukrainian military. The statement also said a dry‑cargo vessel in the north‑western Black Sea was hit; the ship was alleged to be carrying military equipment and dual‑use goods destined for the port of Odesa.
Verification and context
Reuters noted that it could not immediately verify the Russian claims independently. The Ukrainian side has not yet released an official response, and independent observers have not confirmed the specific damage described.
These reported strikes come amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides regularly accusing each other of targeting civilian and military infrastructure. The Russian ministry’s description of the targets emphasizes their alleged role in supporting Ukraine’s defence industry, framing the operation as a strategic effort to degrade the opponent’s war‑fighting capability.
Ukrainian officials have historically highlighted the resilience of the nation’s power grid and communications networks, noting rapid repairs and redundancy measures that help mitigate the impact of attacks. The extent to which the reported facilities were damaged, and any resulting disruptions to civilian services, remain to be seen.
International observers continue to monitor the conflict for potential escalations and humanitarian implications. While the Russian ministry presents the strikes as a legitimate military action, human‑rights groups and many Western governments have repeatedly warned that attacks on infrastructure that also serves civilians may violate international law.
As the situation develops, further verification from independent sources will be essential to understand the true impact of the overnight operation on Ukraine’s energy supply, communications capabilities, and port logistics.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
