Russia struck overnight damaging 4 energy plants: Ukraine
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Representational.
Kyiv: Ukraine said on Saturday that Russia launched a massive airstrike overnight and damaged four power plants in their territory. Authorities imply that Russia was attacking Ukraine's energy supply, Agence France-Presse reported.
In recent months, Russia has hit Ukraine's energy supply spots multiple times and stopped a significant amount of Ukraine's energy production. This has led to blackouts and energy rationing in Ukraine.
"Russian armed forces staged another massive missile attack on Ukraine," AFP quoted the Ukraine army's regular morning statement.
Moscow also said that Ukraine fired more than 60 drones at Russia overnight. It was one of Ukraine's largest overnight drone attacks, and they hit two oil refineries and a military base in Russia, Moscow claimed.
Energy minister of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, said in a post that the enemy has once again attacked their energy infrastructure in facilities such as Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv regions. Equipment in the said facilities was damaged, he said.
AFP reports that the Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions are in the West of Ukraine and border the EU. These are hundreds of kilometres from the frontlines.
Ukrainian airforce informed that Moscow fired around 34 missiles, but 21 of them were shot down by their defences. According to Kyiv, Russia is upping their attacks by air and land in Ukraine ahead of the nationwide celebrations on May 9, which marks Russia's victory in World War II. However, Ukraine is waiting for the US to deliver the crucial weapons.
According to the Ukrainian authorities, the Russian attack overnight severely damaged four of their thermal power plants. Advisories have been issued directing energy users to limit their power usage.