Ukrainian state energy operator Ukrenergo on Monday denounced that Russian forces destroyed the power plant that provided electricity to Kherson and much of the Nikoalev region.
Russian forces allegedly caused the damage before their withdrawal from the town of Kherson, which was completed over the weekend, Ukrenergo President Volodimir Kudritsky was quoted as saying by the Interfax Ukraine news agency.
«It no longer exists. The two autotransformers, each weighing 250 tons, have been blown up. The relay protection room, the compressor, the battery, which according to the terrorists were not attacked, are also smashed,» Kudritski said in a message posted on Facebook.
The aim of the Russian forces was to leave the area without power supply. «A vile horde that only knows how to destroy,» Kudritski said.
Ukrenergo and civil-military authorities, the State Emergency Service and Oblenergo are already working to restore power in the Kherson region through connections with the two neighboring regions.
«It’s not going to be easy. The sappers are already examining the power lines in the territories where there has been heavy fighting until quite recently. There are many minefields. We are working carefully, but we are not wasting a single minute,» Kudritsky stressed.
The Kherson region now controlled by Ukrainian forces had been without power supply since November 6. Kudritski indicated that during the weekend they have already sent to their western allies the list of material necessary to restore the supply.
«Poland and France have already responded. The material is already on its way to Ukraine. Thank you, friends,» the Ukrenergo official said in his message posted on Facebook.
