UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Nov. 11 — Russian attacks damaged all thermal power stations and thermal heat and power (cogeneration) stations in the Kharkiv oblast during the full-scale war, said Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the region, at a briefing with journalists on Nov. 10. 

Russia repeatedly targeted the TEC-5 combined heat and power plant in Podvirky on the outskirts of Kharkiv, the TEC-3 plant in Kharkiv itself, and a combined heat and power station in the Chuhuiv district of the region throughout the full-scale invasion.

Damage was caused by both Russian missile and drone attacks, Syniehubov said, adding that energy workers work three shifts to quickly repair the equipment in the aftermath of the attacks. Kharkiv is also supplied with energy through cogeneration points and boiler rooms that authorities began to install in 2022, after Russia’s first airstrikes on the country’s energy facilities.

“This is the hardest winter we’ve been through,” Syniehubov said, “But we are also the most protected compared to previous years.” 

He didn’t disclose when the heating season will fully start for the region, citing security concerns.

Last week, Russian troops launched 128 attacks on energy and oil and gas facilities in Ukraine. 

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