Russia has launched an attack on Kyiv’s biggest power plant, with Ukraine warning it is running low on air defences.

A senior official at Centrenergo, the company that runs the Trypilska plant just outside of Kyiv, told Reuters it had been completely destroyed by Russian missiles and drones.

All three power plants owned by the company have now been destroyed. 

Footage shared on social media showed a fire raging at the large Soviet-era plant with black smoke billowing from it. 

The Russian defence ministry said the strikes were a response to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil, gas and energy facilities in recent weeks. 

Both sides have repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure. 

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, said 80 per cent of its generating capacity had been destroyed in attacks last month and repairs could take up to 18 months. 

Ukraine is again facing a pivotal moment in this war, which has now ravaged for more than two years. 

Kyiv is running low on air defences and is becoming increasingly desperate for assistance from western countries.

Ukraine has warned it could run out of air defence munitions if Russia keeps up the intensity of its strikes. 

There has been a slowdown in overseas assistance, with a major US aid package being blocked by Republicans in Congress. 

Reuters