Russian forces have struck critical infrastructure in several parts of Ukraine in overnight attacks and at least 17 missiles hit the south-eastern city of Zaporizhzhia early on Friday.
Key points:
- Missiles hit infrastructure in Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv and the Dnipropetrovsk region in the centre of the country
- The state’s power grid operator said several high-voltage facilities were hit, affecting power supply
- Officials said they ordered emergency shutdowns of electricity across the country following the attacks
Air sirens blared across the country during the morning rush hour and local officials urged civilians to take shelter, warning of potential new strikes.
“Enemy aviation is in the air and ships which can carry Kaliber missiles are in the sea. The enemy launched the missiles. The air alert will be long,” said Maksym Marchenko, regional governor of the southern region of Odesa.
“Please do not ignore the air alert sirens, and go to the shelters.”
The attack on Zaporizhzhia was the heaviest since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, local officials said.
Critical infrastructure was also hit in Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine, Kharkiv in the north-east and the Dnipropetrovsk region in the centre of the country, regional officials said.
Several high-voltage facilities in Ukraine’s east, south and west were hit by the missiles causing disruption to power supply, Ukraine’s state grid operator said.
Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television that Ukrainian air defences had shot down five of seven drones and five out of six Kaliber missiles launched at Ukraine.
The air force also said 35 S-300 missiles were launched in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhizhia regions. Ukraine’s air defences are unable to shoot down this type of missile.
Officials also said they ordered emergency shutdowns of electricity across the country following the attacks on infrastructure.
“There is a big threat of a missile attack. I want to stress again — do not ignore the air alert sirens,” said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.
Reuters