Three DTEK power plants seriously damaged in further russian attack

Three DTEK thermal power plants in Ukraine were hit overnight in a fresh russian missile and drone attack, seriously damaging equipment and injuring one worker. DTEK teams are working intensively to assess the scale of the damage and restore operations.

The russian attacks – which also targeted Ukrainian hydro power plants – come exactly one week after the biggest russian assault on Ukraine’s energy system since full-scale invasion in 2022. Those attacks destroyed half of DTEK’s available generating capacity. Five of the six DTEK power stations that had been operating prior to this week have now sustained serious damage.

Last night’s attacks make DTEK’s mission to restore power to homes, hospitals, businesses and factories even more difficult, and underlines the urgent need for robust air-defence systems from Ukraine’s allies. DTEK is currently assessing the level of damage and how long it will take to recover. The DTEK worker injured in the attack received rapid medical attention and is being cared for at home.

CEO Maxim Timchenko commented on the latest news:  “DTEK teams are doing everything they can to repair and restore power after russia's senseless and unprovoked attacks, however we cannot wait much longer. Ukraine needs help from our allies today.

“We are asking for emergency supplies of energy equipment from industry partners and foreign governments and longer-term investment to build distributed generation, like windfarms, that are less vulnerable to attack. In the immediate term however, we need stronger air defences. With every successful attack, russia only grows bolder. We urge our partners in the US, Europe and around the world to make this vital investment in Europe's defence at this critical moment in the war.”

We have suffered yet another major russian assault on @dtek_en and Ukraine's energy assets overnight (just a week after the last massive attack). This time, three DTEK thermal power plants have been hit by drones and missiles, injuring one colleague. DTEK teams are doing… pic.twitter.com/5AwuiiLsWw

— Maxim Timchenko (@TimchenkoMaxim) March 29, 2024

russian drone and missiles have increasingly been penetrating Ukraine’s air defences in recent months. Compounding this increased threat, enemy attacks are becoming much more accurate and concentrated - inflicting greater damage on vital equipment.

In last night’s attack, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 58 out of 60 attack drones launched overnight along with 26 of 39 out of missiles. Last week’s assault involved 150 missiles and drones.

Through 2023, DTEK engineers worked intensively to restore damaged infrastructure from the bombing campaign russia perpetrated through the winter of 2022/23. DTEK installed defensive protection, such as sandbags, concrete blocks and cages, and built up large stocks of spare equipment. However, these supplies are largely used up and in many cases the level of destruction is so great infrastructure has to be completely re-build.

More:

• Severely damaged Ukraine power stations 'will take a year to rebuild': DTEK
• Ambassador Bridget A. Brink tweet

Press Enquiries

Ben Harding +44 7825 111414   l   hardingb@dtekgroup.co.uk
Pavlo Bilodid  +38 097 511 20 87   l   bilodidpp@dtek.com