Exchange of Strikes: Ukraine Faces Energy Collapse, Submarine Attacked in Novorossiysk (Videos)

Odesa

On December 14–15, Russia and Ukraine conducted another exchange of strikes. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 130 Ukrainian drones, with the majority intercepted over the Astrakhan, Bryansk, and Moscow regions. Ukrainian forces announced attacks on Russian gas distribution and energy facilities, as well as striking a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk using maritime drones. In turn, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that out of 153 attack drones launched against Ukraine, 133 were intercepted and downed. The primary Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure and railway hubs.

Following sustained Russian attacks, Ukraine’s energy grid is now assessed as critical, according to The Washington Post. Kyiv and the eastern regions are on the verge of a full-scale and potentially irreversible blackout. The degradation of Ukrainian air defense capabilities is calling into question the protection of the remaining critical facilities. The threat to the power transmission lines connecting the west (where power generation is concentrated) with the east poses the risk of splitting the country into isolated “energy islands.” The Odesa region is already experiencing severe humanitarian consequences from prolonged blackouts, and authorities in Kyiv warn of potential 20–22 hours without electricity per day should severe frosts arrive.

Affected Facilities in Ukraine:

• Dnipropetrovsk Region: A railway hub in the city of Piatykhatky was attacked by at least 12 Russian attack UAVs of the “Geran” (Geranium) type.

• Odesa Region: Russian UAVs struck a railway bridge in the Sarata district and a lifting bridge in Zatoka, targeting its lifting mechanisms. The region is reportedly suffering from a full-scale blackout, with the shutdown of electric transport and water supply in the city of Odesa.

• Kharkiv Region: Dozens of strikes were recorded over the stated period, including at least 10 hits by guided aerial bombs (UMPK), 4 strikes by rocket systems, and at least 6 strikes by “Geran” UAVs. High activity of tactical UAVs was also noted in the vicinity of Kharkiv.

• Zaporizhzhia Region: At least 7 strikes by guided aerial bombs and 4 strikes by rocket systems were carried out. Explosions, likely from UAVs, were registered in the area of Zaporizhzhia city.

• Sumy Region: At least 9 strikes by guided aerial bombs, 2 strikes by rocket systems, and 3 strikes by “Geran” UAVs were recorded. Tactical UAVs were also active in the area of Sumy city.

• Chernihiv Region: A local police station in Horodnia was hit by a UAV strike.

Affected Facilities in Russia:

• Belgorod Region: The “Luch” Thermal Power Plant, one of the main stations supplying the city of Belgorod with electricity and heat, was seriously damaged in a missile strike, allegedly from HIMARS systems.

• Astrakhan Region: Ukrainian sources reported a UAV attack on the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant. Local authorities did not confirm the information. Russian air defense claimed to have destroyed 38 drones over the region.

• Moscow Region: The capital and its region came under UAV attack, with explosions reported in the Istra district, Kashira, and Kolomna. Air defense claimed to have destroyed 25 drones over the region.

• Krasnodar Krai: The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed to have struck a Project 636.3 “Varshavyanka”-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk using “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones. Russian sources acknowledged the attack but contested the scale of the damage, stating that the explosion occurred near the pier and did not cause significant harm to the submarines.

Russian air defense reported destroying Ukrainian UAVs over Bryansk, Kaluga, Tula, Rostov, Kursk, Oryol, and Ryazan regions, as well as Kalmykia and the Caspian Sea. In Rostov Region, damage to a power line was also reported, leaving residents without water.

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