Russian strikes wipe out Kherson CHP plant’s remaining equipment PHOTO

Russian forces have again attacked the Kherson Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, using guided aerial bombs in a strike that completely destroyed and disabled all remaining heat- and power-generating equipment at the facility, Naftogaz Group confirmed.

The company said Russian forces attacked the plant overnight on August 26–27, striking the facility with four guided aerial bombs, Ukrinform reports.

The strike caused critical damage and left the plant’s remaining heat- and power-generating equipment completely destroyed and inoperable.

“The Russians struck an exclusively civilian facility that supplies heat to a significant part of Kherson's residential buildings,” said Serhii Fedorenko, acting CEO of Naftogaz.

Fedorenko said the attack served no military purpose and was aimed at terrorizing civilians and depriving tens of thousands of Kherson residents of heating ahead of the winter season.

Earlier, Russian forces had attacked the Kherson CHP plant, the city’s main source of heating, with guided aerial bombs, causing significant damage.

Continued Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in Kherson Oblast have officially been classified as posing a threat of an emergency situation. Authorities have warned that any further deterioration could endanger public welfare. The heating situation in Kherson has also been assigned the same status because of the risk of disruptions during the heating season.

The plant has repeatedly come under attack. On December 28, Russian forces shelled the facility with artillery, causing significant damage.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the repeated strikes have left between 10,000 and 12,000 people without heating.

By Vafa Guliyeva