On the night of June 1, Ukraine reported a large-scale Russian missile assault targeting critical energy infrastructure. Explosions were observed in five regions, including Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd and Ivano-Frankivsk, with additional strikes in parts of Zaporozhye and the Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk region. Ukraine and its defense forces described the attack as a multi-domain strike using missiles and aircraft from air, sea, and land. The Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that Russia launched 53 missiles and 47 unmanned aerial vehicles across the country, while claiming that 35 missiles and 46 UAVs were shot down.
The impact damaged two thermal power plants, according to the energy sector operator. The holding company noted that equipment suffered serious damage and that specialists are working to restore functionality.
The head of the Kirovograd regional administration reported damage to an energy facility in the region without identifying the exact site. He noted that no injuries occurred and that electricity consumption limits would apply in the region from 18:00 to 23:00 on June 1.
Svetlana Onischuk, leader of Ivano-Frankivsk region, confirmed an attack on an energy facility there. A fire broke out but was extinguished by more than 100 firefighters and 33 units of equipment, with no injuries among residents.
In Zaporozhye, a Telegram post attributed to a regional movement leader described a series of explosions and noted active air defense in the area. Local authorities reported temporary road closures around the Dnieper hydroelectric station, the largest hydroelectric facility in Ukraine, due to the explosions and security measures.
Later, Ukrhydroenergo announced serious damage to the equipment at two hydroelectric plants and damage to the surrounding infrastructure near the stations. The agency stated that the strike affected energy facilities in five regions and hit two hydroelectric plants.
Attack on DneproGES
The DneproGES facility had previously endured a missile strike on March 22, which damaged turbine rooms and the dam and temporarily halted operations. The facility was later restored after repair work.
Authorities in Lviv reported destruction of three critical infrastructure facilities. The national interior minister, Igor Klimenko, reported four fatalities. An air alert covered Ukraine and prompted a temporary aircraft reshuffle with neighboring Poland amid intensified Russian long-range activity.
Polish officials warned that allied aircraft could be mixed in the airspace, potentially increasing noise levels in the southeast of Poland, and stated that the planes remained airborne for about three hours.
Group Strike
The Russian Defense Ministry described a group attack using high-precision, long-range air and sea-launched weapons aimed at Ukraine’s energy facilities and military logistics, including storage sites for Western weapons. A team of technical specialists reportedly planned drone flight missions. The ministry asserted that the targets were hit as intended and framed the operation as a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s energy and transport networks.
Power outage in Ukraine
Earlier assessments indicated that sustained attacks on critical infrastructure could raise the rate of emergency outages during hot summer months. Observers noted ongoing plans to conduct maintenance at nuclear facilities, which would reduce electricity output in the summer. Analysts from the Razumkov Center warned of a longer period of planned outages, particularly in the capital, Kyiv, given the concentration of critical infrastructure in the city. Industry experts emphasized that the country would need to invest, rebuild, and modernize its energy system, acknowledging the capital constraint of funding.
Experts added that the cumulative effect of the attacks could result in a sizable permanent capacity reduction in Ukraine’s electricity generation, complicating resilience efforts and future energy planning.