Russians cut off power to Ukraine’s largest plant
The Russians attacked critical infrastructure facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. As a result, the largest plant in Ukraine, Zaporizhstal, was cut off. Due to the loss of power supply, the plant completely suspended all production processes.
“The company’s team responded promptly and coherently to the emergency situation, implementing anti-crisis measures to safely shut down the equipment. Clear and verified actions of the personnel, as well as coordination with the regional energy services in accordance with the developed safety protocols, made it possible to avoid man-made accidents due to a sudden power outage,” the company said in a statement.
Currently, the company is trying to stabilize the internal power grid. Limited power supply allows routine work to be carried out on the main units. In the future, preparations will be made for a phased and safe restart of the production process. But this will be possible only after the restoration of external power supply.
“Zaporizhstal metallurgists express their gratitude to the power engineers and all responsible services, as well as the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration. Together we will continue to make efforts to carry out emergency and restoration work, counteracting the enemy’s attempts to leave Ukrainians without electricity,” the company said in a statement.
On the night of January 8, the Russians attacked the Dnipro and other regions with a large number of attack drones. As a result, a difficult situation arose. Many settlements lost electricity, water and heat. The attack almost completely cut off power to the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
On January 8, chairman Borys Filatov said that after the shelling in the city, the situation was incredibly critical.
“Since last night, the city has been working out all the appropriate algorithms. We are in constant contact with the regional military administration and all relevant ministries and services. Most importantly, the light is gradually returning to the hospital. However, I would like to remind you that medical institutions have alternative power sources and the necessary supplies. The city’s sewage system has also been restored,” Filatov noted.
The head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities, Oleg Popenko, said that the Russians are trying to unbalance the energy system, making it “unmanageable.”
“Because of this, there is pressure on the population: on people, on panic, on social stability. This is a form of military and psychological pressure on the leadership of Ukraine,” he said.
“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” also partially stopped production due to the attacks on January 7
The Kryvyi Rih Mining and Metallurgical Plant “ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” (Dnipropetrovsk region) also partially stopped production due to a blackout due to the massive Russian attack on the country’s energy sector on January 7.
According to the plant, “the massive Russian attack on January 7 on the infrastructure of Ukraine, and in particular, the Dnipropetrovsk region and the city of Kryvyi Rih, led to partial power outages in the city and at our enterprise.”
“In this regard, we had to temporarily suspend some production processes. This was done safely in accordance with internal technological regulations. Everything possible is being done to return to normal production,” the report says.
“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” is the largest producer of rolled steel in Ukraine. It specializes in the production of long rolled steel, in particular, reinforcement and wire rod.
ArcelorMittal owns the largest mining and metallurgical plant in Ukraine, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, and a number of small companies, in particular, ArcelorMittal Beryslav.