Russian shelling severely damages DTEK thermal power plant, halts electricity generation
Russian forces heavily shelled one of DTEK’s thermal power plants on October 23, severely damaging its equipment and stopping electricity generation. DTEК did not identify the plant, which came amid overnight drone attacks across Ukraine.
Key points
- One of DTEK’s thermal power plants was heavily shelled on October 23.
- The plant sustained severe equipment damage and stopped generating electricity.
- DTEK did not identify the attacked facility.
- DTEK’s thermal power plants have been attacked more than 230 times since the start of the full-scale invasion.
- Ukraine shot down 140 of 176 Russian drones overnight; impacts were reported at 19 locations.
- Electricity exports reportedly halved to 83.6 thousand MWh, while imports rose 49% to 19.4 thousand MWh.
Why it matters
The attack halted generation at a thermal power plant and caused major equipment damage. It also highlighted mounting pressure on Ukraine’s energy system: exports reportedly halved while imports increased, and the incident occurred during wider overnight attacks affecting civilian infrastructure.
What happened
Russian forces heavily shelled one of DTEK’s thermal power plants on October 23. The facility sustained severe damage and completely stopped generating electricity. DTEK did not specify which plant was attacked. The attack came during broader overnight drone strikes, after Russian forces had targeted energy infrastructure in Zhytomyr region with reactive drones and struck the Trypillia thermal power plant in Kyiv region on September 30.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focused on the damage to DTEK’s facility, the complete halt in electricity generation and the more than 230 attacks on the company’s thermal power plants since Russia began the full-scale invasion. The incident was also considered alongside overnight strikes that caused explosions and hits on civilian infrastructure in several regions.
Background
Russian forces attacked the Trypillia thermal power plant in Kyiv region on September 30, damaging its generating equipment. Several days before the reported attack on a DTEK plant, Russian forces also targeted energy infrastructure in Zhytomyr region with reactive drones.