Nearly 200,000 residents in Kharkov, Ukraine, are grappling with a severe electricity shortage after the city’s largest Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant was destroyed. Authorities warn that restoration efforts may take weeks, if not longer, to complete.
The dire situation in Kharkov is compounded by ongoing military strikes, with Russian missiles claiming the lives of at least 16 people in southern Ukraine’s Odesa. The strikes come amidst escalating tensions, with Russia retaliating against Ukrainian attacks on civilians in Belgorod by cutting off electricity to Kharkov.
In response to the mounting crisis, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is urging international allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities following a recent morning attack. Meanwhile, Russian troops have launched an assault on the city of Volchansk in the Kharkiv region, resulting in the tragic death of a 65-year-old resident.
The conflict has also spilled over into neighboring regions, with Ukrainian shelling in Russia’s Grayvoronsky urban district of Belgorod claiming the life of at least one person. Additionally, a four-year-old girl was injured in Ukrainian shelling targeting the Russian-controlled city of Kherson.
In Kakhovka, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region, a residential building sustained damage in Ukrainian shelling, injuring a young girl. Governor Vladimir Saldo reported significant infrastructure damage, including the destruction of a trading facility and disruptions to gas distribution in several settlements.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange fire, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire and essential services compromised. The international community closely monitors the escalating conflict, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect civilian lives.
