Russia strikes Ukrainian energy facilities in biggest attack in weeks

Summary

Strikes evoke memories of Russian air strikes last winter

Power supply disrupted in five regions - grid operator

At least 18 people wounded, says Kyiv

KYIV, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Russia carried out its biggest missile attack in weeks across Ukraine on Thursday, pounding energy facilities in what officials said appeared to be the first salvo in a new air campaign against the Ukrainian power grid.

Power cuts were reported in five Ukrainian regions in the west, centre and east, reviving memories of multiple air strikes on critical infrastructure last winter that caused sweeping outages for millions of Ukrainians during the bitter cold.

Officials said at least 18 people were wounded in the air strikes, including a 9-year-old girl, and a regional governor said two people were killed in separate overnight Russian shelling.

"Winter is coming.Tonight (Russia) renews missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure," lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk wrote on platform X.

Grid operator Ukrenergo said it was the first Russian attack on power infrastructure in six months, and reported damage to facilities in western and central regions.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/blasts-heard-kyiv-other-parts-ukraine-2023-09-21/

WINTER IS COMING