Kyiv: Ukraine said on Friday that Russia had launched a “massive attack” on the capital Kiev, triggering power cuts as a minister warned that Moscow was also hitting the national energy grid hard.
The Ukrainian Air Force urged Kiev residents to stay in shelters, saying, “The country’s capital is subject to enemy ballistic missile attack and massive attack by enemy drones.”
AFP journalists in Kiev heard several powerful explosions in the city and experienced power outages at their homes in various districts of the capital.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Russian forces targeted “critical infrastructure” and injured at least nine people, five of whom were taken to hospital.
“The left bank of the capital is without electricity. There are also problems with water supply,” Klitschko said on the Telegram platform.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grinchuk said Russian forces were carrying out a “massive attack” on the grid.
“Energy workers are taking all necessary measures to minimize negative consequences,” Grinchuk said on Facebook.
“As soon as security conditions permit, energy workers will begin to clarify the consequences of the attack and carry out restoration work,” he said.
Russia also launched at least seven drone strikes on the south-eastern region of Zaporizhia, injuring at least three people, according to Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration.
Russia has stepped up airstrikes on Ukrainian energy facilities and rail systems in recent weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Moscow wanted to “create chaos” by damaging energy facilities and railways.
In response Ukraine has stepped up its drone and missile attacks on Russian territory, a strategy Zelensky said is showing “results” and driving up fuel prices in Russia – AFP
