Russia strikes energy facilities in Ukraine

Around 70 cruise missiles were fired, Ukrainian army says

Russia yesterday fired “around 70 cruise missiles” at targets across Ukraine, causing electricity and water supply disruptions nationwide, in its latest aerial bombardment of energy facilities, the Ukrainian army said.

“In total, around 70 cruise missiles... were launched,” the Ukrainian army said on social media, adding that 51 of them were shot down by air defences.

The missiles hit at least one critical infrastructure target in Kyiv as explosions echoed through the outskirts of the capital.

An air raid alert was issued across all Ukraine and Ukrainian media carried reports of air defence systems in action in several parts of the country. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Reuters correspondents in and around Kyiv said they heard several loud explosions and that air defence missiles were flying overhead. Emergency power outages began in Kyiv, a local energy provider said.

“(Missiles) Hit one of the capital’s infrastructure facilities. Stay in shelters! The air alert continues,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He gave no details of what infrastructure was hit. But Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukrainian critical infrastructure in recent weeks as they faced setbacks on the battlefield following their February 24 military operations.