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25 January, 09:59
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Ukraine strikes major thermal plant in Russia’s Belgorod

Ukraine struck a thermal power plant in Russia’s Belgorod region on Sunday following Russia’s relentless attack on the country’s energy grid and amid failure to reach a plausible agreement in the first round of Abu Dhabi meeting held on Friday.

Two dozen explosions were heard in Belgorod in what local news outlet described as the “most massive” attack on the city since the start of the nearly four-year-war. Independent Astra Telegram channel reported over 50 blasts and power and water outages in some districts, while also sharing video and photo footage from the site of attack. Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the attack on the city’s energy facilities with the possible use of US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). “According to our information, the city of Belgorod has been hit by a massive shelling, presumably by HIMARS. There are no casualties, but there is damage to energy facilities,” Gladkov wrote on Sunday morning.

“During the massive shelling, 24 munitions were fired at Belgorod. Energy facilities and nine vehicles were damaged,” he wrote, adding that “Emergency Ministry personnel also extinguished a fire in an outbuilding on a private property.” The governor reported strikes at homes, vehicles, and infrastructure in the region’s Borisov, Valuysky, Volokonovsky, Graivoron, and Krasnoyarsk, with some areas left temporarily without gas. Gladkov said 24 munitions were fired at Belogorod where energy facilities and nine vehicles were damaged.

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the attack yet. The strike on Belgorod thermal power plant seems to be in response to Russia’s massive air strikes targeting Ukraine energy grid in subzero temperatures, and knocking out power to 1.2 million facilities across the country. Last week, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko warned of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe”, stating that half a million people had already fled the capital and urging others to leave if they could.