Kherson’s Last Power Plant Destroyed by Russian Bombs; New Minister Visits Rubble

Days after Russian glide bombs destroyed the final pieces of Kherson’s heat and power infrastructure, Ukraine’s newly appointed defense minister arrived in the city. Yevhenii Khmara met with the regional governor on the ground, surveying the wreckage of the city’s main power plant. The attack on 26 August left the southern city without its last functioning energy source, according to local officials. The visit signals Kyiv’s urgent focus on front-line regions facing winter blackouts. Khmara’s tour came as engineers assessed whether any equipment could be salvaged before colder months set in. The plant’s destruction means Kherson now relies entirely on mobile generators and external power lines, both of which remain vulnerable to further strikes. No timeline for restoration was given.