Drone Attacks on the Occupied Part of Donetsk Oblast
On June 7, drones struck the occupied portion of Donetsk Oblast, hitting the Zuivska Thermal Power Plant in the city of Zuhres. The attacks sparked a fire near the occupied city of Chystiakove, where railway infrastructure was also targeted. As a result, several cities lost power, including:
- Makiivka
- Khartsyzk
- Yenakiieve
- Debaltseve
- Kirovske
These were not isolated incidents. On the night of May 22, occupied Mariupol and Donetsk were also hit by drone strikes, leaving parts of the Mariupol district and certain neighborhoods within Mariupol itself without electricity. In Nikolske, a substation was damaged during that same period.
On January 18, a series of explosions shook the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast. Russian sources reported a massive drone assault and active air defense operations. The main focus that day was on energy infrastructure, resulting in blackouts in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Kuibyshevsky districts.
On January 14, drones again targeted the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, specifically hitting substations in Donetsk and Makiivka. Explosions were also recorded in those cities that day. On January 13, a blackout occurred in occupied Mariupol following a drone attack. According to Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to Mariupol’s mayor,
“a fire broke out in Mariupol near the Donetsk highway. Preliminary reports indicate a substation is burning in the Kalmius district. Additionally, occupier bases at the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works were likely struck.”
Impact of the Attacks on the Energy Situation
These drone strikes on occupied Donetsk continue to disrupt the region’s energy supply, causing power outages and fires at critical infrastructure sites.
The events signal an intensification of hostilities in Donetsk Oblast, likely part of a broader effort to destabilize the occupied territories. Repeated attacks on energy facilities highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities, potentially undermining the occupiers’ ability to maintain control. Such actions also risk creating humanitarian challenges for local residents, who endure blackouts and other consequences of the ongoing conflict.
The recent drone strikes have not only affected power supply in the occupied Donetsk region but also reflect a broader pattern of escalating attacks on critical infrastructure. For a detailed account of similar incidents that occurred just days earlier, including strikes on the night of May 27, you can read more about the situation here.