Published: 18:10, May 8, 2024
Ukraine's energy facilities under Russian air raids, official says
By Xinhua
Firefighters extinguish a blaze at an electricity facility after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 22, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

KIEV — Energy facilities across Ukraine came under Russia's massive air strikes early Wednesday, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said.

The attack targeted power generation and transmission facilities in the central Poltava, Kirovograd, and Vinnytsya regions, the western Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, and the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Galushchenko wrote on Facebook.

Russia fired 55 missiles, including 50 cruise missiles and an aeroballistic missile, and 21 drones at Ukraine overnight, said the Ukrainian Air Force, adding that 20 drones and 39 missiles were downed by air defense

Equipment at three thermal power plants of Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK sustained damage during the attack, the company said in a statement.

READ MORE: Ukraine energy facilities come under major Russian attack

The air strikes marked the fifth attack on DTEK's energy facilities in less than two months, according to the DTEK's press service.

Russia fired 55 missiles, including 50 cruise missiles and an aeroballistic missile, and 21 drones at Ukraine overnight, said the Ukrainian Air Force, adding that 20 drones and 39 missiles were downed by air defense.

READ MORE: Ukraine to introduce multi-level protection of energy facilities

At least two people were wounded in the attack in the Kiev region, while another person was injured in the Kirovograd region, said regional authorities.