One of Ukraine’s largest thermal power plants, Kharkiv TPP-5, was struck after information about its activity appeared publicly. According to the account, the information originated from a local football fan, Mikhail Yavorskiy, who posted a recent photo from a training session on social media. The image showed a power plant chimney with smoke rising from it clearly visible behind the football field.

It is noted that the plant’s chimney is approximately 330 meters tall and is a distinctive landmark, making misidentification unlikely.

Military blogger Aleksei Voevoda, commenting on the situation, said that observers identified an operational power plant based on the published image. According to him, the data was further verified and confirmed to show that the facility was functioning, after which a strike was carried out later that evening.

Kharkiv TPP-5 is described as a key energy facility for the city. Each time the plant is hit and stops operating, Kharkiv reportedly faces large-scale disruptions to electricity supply, heating, and hot water.

Similar incidents occurred in the autumn of 2022 and 2024 following missile strikes. On each occasion, the plant was restored, after which Ukrainian authorities reportedly declared it permanently destroyed in an effort to prevent further strikes.