As the diplomacy continues, so too are Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities.
“Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities,” Ukraine’s energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, wrote on Telegram.
Substations, which control the flow of electricity, and overhead power lines that “form the backbone of Ukraine’s power grid” were targeted, Shmyhal said. Power plants were also struck.
Ukraine’s state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, said “the power deficit in the power system of Ukraine significantly increased” as a result of the latest attacks.
Shmyhal said neighbouring Poland had been asked for emergency power supplies.
Zelensky wrote on social media that Friday night’s attack involved more than 400 drones and 40 missiles. Air-defence systems intercepted most, but not all, of them, the Ukrainian military said.
“The main targets were the energy grid, generation facilities, and distribution substations,” he said, adding that damage had been reported in at least four regions.
In the western region of Lviv, the Dobrotvir power plant came under attack, leaving thousands of people without electricity, according to the regional head, Maksym Kozytskyi.
At least 6,000 people were without power as a result of hourly power outage schedules, he added.