Ukraine faces widespread blackouts after Russia hits power infrastructure

Lviv, Ukraine, Oct 31 (EFE).- Russia has fired missiles at Ukrainian energy infrastructure, triggering power outages in hundreds of towns across seven regions in the war-torn country, local authorities said on Monday.

“Russian terrorists have once again massively attacked Ukraine,” Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

“Missiles and drones hit 10 regions, damaging 18 facilities, most of which are energy facilities. Hundreds of settlements in seven regions of Ukraine were blacked out,” he said.

Numerous neighborhoods in the Ukrainian capital suffered electricity blackouts and water shortages following the attacks, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“Part of the capital was blacked out following strikes on critical infrastructure. There is no water supply in some areas,” he wrote on Telegram.

The Ukrainian military command reported earlier that 44 out of the 50 Russian cruise missiles fired against power infrastructure and electrical installations on Monday were intercepted.

Explosions at critical power supply facilities were heard in Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia regions, while anti-aircraft defense systems intercepted several Russian missiles in Lviv, according to the Ukrinform news agency.

Attacks have also been reported in the western city of Chernivtsi, and Zaporizhzhia, where Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is located.

Russian troops have once again intensified attacks on Kyiv, using kamikaze drones against power infrastructure, as well as other civilian targets.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly condemned Russia’s use of Iranian-made combat drones and urged prompt international action.

Moscow, meanwhile, said these attacks were in response to the truck bomb that damaged sections of Russia’s bridge to the annexed Crimea earlier this month, for which Russia has blamed Kyiv.EFE

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