Energy grid targeted in air strikes

RUSSIAN forces unleashed a night-time barrage of more than 50 cruise missiles and explosive drones at Ukraine’s power grid, targeting a wide area in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a “massive” attack.

The bombardment yesterday blasted targets in seven Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv area and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the country’s rail network, authorities said.

Three people, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured, according to Ukrainian officials.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy noted that the attacks occurred on the day that Ukraine observes the end of European fighting in the Second World War and equated Ukraine’s current struggle with that conflict.

National electrical grid operator Ukrenergo said facilities were hit in the Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Poltava and IvanoFrankivsk regions.

Two energy facilities were hit in the Lviv region, which is in the country’s far west and distant from the fighting’s front lines, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi.

DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest private energy supplier, said the attack “seriously damaged” equipment at three of its thermal power plants.

Russia launched 55 missiles and 21 Shahed drones overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

Air defences downed 39 of the missiles and 20 of the drones, said air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

And five people, including three children, were injured in an attack that struck an educational facility in northeastern Kharkiv, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on social media.