(Kyiv) New Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure in western Ukraine on Saturday, operator Ukrenergo said, while officials reported power cuts in several parts of the country.
Posted at 7:33 a.m.
Russian forces “carried out a new attack with missiles on energy facilities of the main networks in the western regions of Ukraine”, explained Ukrenergo on social networks.
“The extent of the damage is comparable to or could exceed the consequences of the October 10-12 attack,” the operator added.
Energy restrictions are “forcibly applied” in several regions, including the capital Kyiv and its region, Ukrenergo said, promising that its specialists “take all measures to restore the supply of electricity as soon as possible in the regions currently deprived of electricity”.
At the same time, Ukrainians have already voluntarily reduced their electricity consumption by 5% to 20% on average on certain days and in certain regions, Ukrenergo boss Volodymyr Kudrytsky told AFP in a written statement.
“We are grateful, both to the people who have reduced consumption at home and to the companies who are doing the same,” he added.
Officials across the country had earlier reported power cuts after fresh strikes.
In western Ukraine, electricity and water were cut off in some areas of the Volhynia region, according to its governor. The town of Khmelnytsky was without power and city officials called on residents to prepare for water cuts.
In the Rivne region, also in the west, Governor Vitali Koval said attacks had targeted the region’s “energy infrastructure” in the morning, damaging electricity substations.
Power cuts were also reported in the Odessa region (South-West) after “two missile strikes on the energy infrastructure” of the region, said Governor Maxim Marchenko.
The governor of the Kirovohrad region (Centre) for his part asked local businesses and residents to reduce their electricity consumption after the strikes on “important” energy infrastructure.