Russian airstrikes damage Ukrainian energy facilities

Russian airstrikes hit nearly a dozen Ukrainian infrastructure sites early Wednesday, May 8, damaging three Soviet-era thermal power plants. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes injured three people and impacted energy facilities, homes and public transportation across several regions.

“The world slept through the revival of Nazism — at 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “And today, everyone who remembers the Second World War and lived to this day feels deja vu.”

Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses intercepted 20 drones and 39 missiles during the attack, which lasted about seven hours, further straining Ukraine’s energy system. This continues Moscow’s strategy of targeting critical Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The world slept through the rebirth of Nazism at 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022. And today, everyone who remembers World War II and has survived to this day feels a sense of déjà vu.

The Battle of Kyiv, the bombings of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, mass graves, child deportations,… pic.twitter.com/GRmPFTM641

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 8, 2024

Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, which occurred on the same day Ukraine celebrates Victory Over Nazism in World War II. He called for global recognition of the threat posed by modern Nazism.

“The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light,” Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.

Ukraine is waiting for weapon deliveries from Western allies, highlighting a shortage in defense capabilities. Both the United States and the European Union have committed to new aid packages recently.

Washington has pledged to provide additional Patriot systems and more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), which were first delivered in 2022.

Russia has not immediately responded to these latest strikes.