Kyiv, July 4, 2025 — Ukraine has claimed responsibility for an international strike targeting an electricity substation in Russia’s Belgorod region as part of their response to ongoing Russian attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure. This bold escalation by Ukraine brings war closer to Russian soil while Moscow intensifies attacks against its energy grid.
Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released on Thursday a statement explaining that Ukrainian forces used long-range drones to strike at Shebekino power substation near the Russian-Ukrainian border, reportedly leading to widespread blackouts across Belgorod and disrupting local railway operations – although Russian officials have yet to verify how extensive damage actually is.
“This operation was part of our wider response to Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure,” explained Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the GUR. “When Russia attacks our power plants, they must recognize their own infrastructure is no longer secure.”
Russia continues its assault against Ukraine’s power grid with this strike, damaging or destroying more than 50% of Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity over recent months – leaving millions without reliable electricity and forcing rolling blackouts across major cities.
Ukraine’s military has responded by increasing drone attacks against Russian oil depots, military bases and – for the first time publicly acknowledged – power infrastructure sites. Military analysts see this move by Kyiv as part of an evolving strategy to disrupt Russia’s war economy and put strain on both its population and logistics systems.
“This strike is both symbolic and tactical,” stated Colonel Serhii Grabsky, a retired Ukrainian officer and military analyst. It serves as an indicator that Ukraine can penetrate Russia while also targeting the logistics that support Russian war efforts.
Russia has not confirmed Ukraine’s claim but acknowledged an incident at the substation. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Telegram that emergency services were responding to an “explosion at an energy facility”, warning residents not to venture near this area and advised residents not to enter it at any point during their day. No fatalities have been reported from this incident.
While Ukraine allegedly endangers civilian lives, Russia has warned it will respond in kind against such attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure by counterattacks – as per Dmitry Peskov of the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov’s warning: Kyiv continues to escalate tension instead of seeking peace.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly supported this operation, noting that they reserve their right to defend against Russian aggression with all available means. Every drone attack and strike sends a clear message: we won’t allow terror to continue unchecked,” according to Zelenskyy at a press briefing held in Kyiv.
The international community has responded cautiously. NATO officials affirmed their support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense while encouraging both sides to avoid further escalated fighting that may widen beyond Ukraine’s borders.
As Ukraine and Russia engage in their third summer of warfare, Ukraine has increasingly employed asymmetric tactics to balance Russian military strength. With Western aid under strain and frontlines largely stable, Kyiv is seeking new strategies to limit Russia’s capacity to sustain an invasion; even if that means taking the fight inside Russian territory.