Ukraine warns of outages as 'massive' Russian strikes target power plants

NEWS WIRES

8 May 2024 at 9:18 am·1-min read

Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a "massive" wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the country's battered energy system.

Moscow also said its forces had taken control of two more frontline villages, as it ups its attacks both on land and from the skies with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold the front line more than two years into the war.

"On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, Nazi (President Vladimir) Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure triggered fresh warnings of blackouts and electricity rationing.

"There may be power cuts for household and industrial consumers across Ukraine... due to new damage to the equipment of Ukrainian power plants caused by Russian strikes," power operator Ukrenergo said.

Russia's defence ministry said its strikes were in retaliation.

"In response to the Kyiv regime's attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike against energy facilities and enterprises of Ukraine's military-industrial complex," it said in a briefing.

Kyiv has hit Russian oil refineries and storage depots in drone attacks over recent months.

'Particularly difficult situation'

The strikes targeted energy infrastructure facilities in at least six regions, the ministry said.

(AFP)

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'Particularly difficult situation'

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