Kyiv, 13 December 2024 – Ukrainian air defences successfully intercepted the majority of missiles and drones launched in a large-scale Russian assault on critical infrastructure. The attack, one of the most extensive in recent months, caused widespread power outages and forced reductions in nuclear and thermal power generation as repair crews scrambled to mitigate the damage.
The Scale of the Attack
The Russian assault, which began on 12 December and continued into the following morning, involved 287 aerial weapons. These included:
- 94 missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and a North Korean-manufactured ballistic missile.
- 193 drones, primarily Iranian-made Shahed UAVs.
The primary targets were Ukraine’s energy facilities and infrastructure, marking the twelfth major attack on the sector this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as one of the largest coordinated efforts to disrupt the country’s energy grid during the winter months.
Impact on Energy Infrastructure
The attacks inflicted severe damage on Ukraine’s energy network. National grid operator Ukrenergo reported emergency power outages affecting half of Ukraine’s population. In Ternopil, 50% of consumers were left without electricity, with similar disruptions reported across other regions.
Thermal power plants operated by DTEK, one of Ukraine’s largest energy companies, were among the facilities heavily damaged. This marks the ninth major assault on DTEK infrastructure this year. Five of the country’s nine operational nuclear reactors were also forced to reduce output due to safety concerns, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko condemned the attack, calling it part of Russia’s ongoing “energy terror.” Repair crews began immediate work to assess and restore damaged facilities, but the scale of the destruction underscored the vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy grid.
Ukraine’s Defence Response
Despite the scale of the assault, Ukrainian air defence forces successfully intercepted a significant portion of the incoming threats. Using a combination of air defence systems, F-16 fighter jets, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups, Ukrainian forces reported the following results:
- 80 cruise missiles intercepted out of the 93 launched.
- 1 ballistic missile neutralised.
- 80 drones destroyed, while an additional 105 failed to reach their targets due to interception or operational failures.
The F-16 fighter jets, recently integrated into Ukraine’s defence arsenal, played a critical role in neutralising several cruise missiles. The high interception rate highlights the growing effectiveness of Ukraine’s defence capabilities, which continue to improve with international support.
International Delegations Witness the Attack
The assault coincided with high-profile visits to Kyiv by delegations from the European Union and the United States. Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s newly appointed Defence Commissioner, was in Kyiv during the strikes and took shelter alongside residents. EU Ambassador Katarína Mathernová shared photos of Kubilius in a shelter, captioning: “Welcoming the new Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to the shelter.”
Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s Defence Commissioner
Meanwhile, a US delegation led by Nate Fick, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, and Doug Beck, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, met with Ukrainian officials to discuss lessons learned from the battlefield and explore future cooperation in cybersecurity and military innovation.
The presence of these international delegations underscored the importance of Ukraine’s partnerships with the EU and the US in bolstering its defences and supporting its recovery efforts.
Calls for Increased Defence Support
In response to the attack, President Zelensky renewed his call for international partners to provide additional medium-range air defence systems, specifically requesting at least 20 new units. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha echoed this appeal, highlighting the critical need to protect Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population during the ongoing winter season.
On 12 December, US President Joe Biden approved a new military aid package for Ukraine, further demonstrating the West’s commitment to supporting the country’s defence efforts. This package includes advanced weapons systems designed to enhance Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
Russian Claims of Retaliation
In a statement issued following the attack, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the strikes were in retaliation for a 11 December Ukrainian missile attack on a military airfield near Taganrog in the Rostov region. Moscow alleged that Ukraine had launched six US-made ATACMS tactical missiles at the facility.
Russia framed its 13 December assault as targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial base, energy infrastructure, and fuel facilities. Russian officials also claimed the use of “high-precision, long-range” weapons and insisted that “all intended targets were hit,” though Ukrainian authorities have dismissed these assertions as propaganda.
This latest escalation highlights the ongoing threat to Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure as the country faces one of the most challenging winters in its modern history. Despite these adversities, the resilience of Ukraine’s air defence systems, bolstered by international support, remains a critical factor in mitigating the impact of Russia’s aggression. Continued assistance from global allies will be essential in Ukraine’s fight to defend its sovereignty and rebuild its energy infrastructure.
Main image source: @kmathernova
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