Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine energy grid

Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drones and missiles, imposing nationwide electricity restrictions and killing one person in the city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Moscow of targeting Ukrainian people and energy resources as the cold winter months approach.

“His goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness. Our goal is to preserve the light,” Svyrydenko said on the Telegram app on Thursday. he said.

“To stop terrorism, we need more air defense systems, tougher sanctions and maximum pressure on the aggressor.”

Moscow denies targeting civilians and says its attacks are a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure.

Ukraine has launched regular drone attacks on its military and oil fields as it struggles with Russia’s almost four-year occupation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia launched more than 650 unmanned aerial vehicles and 50 missiles overnight.

“Many were shot, but unfortunately there were hits,” he wrote to X.

Ukrainian officials said the attacks targeted energy facilities in the central, western and southeastern regions.

The energy ministry announced nationwide restrictions on electricity supply to retail and industrial consumers. Water supply and heating were also disrupted in some areas.

Two energy facilities in the western Lviv region were damaged, regional officials said.

DTEK, the world’s largest private energy company, said that its thermal power plants in many regions are under attack.

One person died and six children were among 17 injured in attacks on the southeastern industrial city of Zaporizhzhya, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

He said the attacks damaged five apartment blocks and infrastructure.

“People have acute reactions to stress, wounds, concussions, bruises and fractures.”

State-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia reported power outages in the southern region of Mykolaiv, causing trains to be delayed.