Ukrainian energy facilities were targeted on Friday morning in a "massive" missile attack by Russia, Ukrainian authorities announced, as Moscow continues its regular bombardment of such infrastructure, causing power outages across the country during the harsh winter season.
Ukraine is also struggling on the front line, retreating for months in the east under the firepower of the Russian army, while U.S. aid could dwindle with Donald Trump's return to power in January.
"The enemy continues its terror. Once again, the energy sector across Ukraine is the target of a massive attack," the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy stated.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched several hypersonic Kinjal missiles, cruise missile groups, and explosive drones at its neighbor in the morning.
Media reports indicated explosions in multiple regions in the west, center, and south of the country. The exact extent of the damage is not yet known, but energy operator Ukrenergo has already announced expanded power cuts nationwide.
Engineers "are taking all necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences for the energy system," the Ministry of Energy assured.
Half of the population in Ternopil (west) was without power on Friday morning, according to regional authorities, the first to report such outages.
Meanwhile, the Polish Air Force was placed on "maximum" alert due to the Russian strikes in western Ukraine, near the Polish border.
For nearly three years, Russia has been bombing Ukrainian energy facilities with missiles and drones, particularly during and approaching winter, causing power shortages and plunging millions of Ukrainians into darkness and cold.
20 Defense Systems
Ukraine is calling on its Western allies to deliver more air defense systems to protect its cities and infrastructure.
On Friday morning, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga reiterated this plea, as Kyiv regularly criticizes its allies for the slowness and hesitancy of their aid.
"Russia seeks to deprive us of energy. And we must deprive it of the means to spread its terror. I repeat my urgent call for the delivery of 20 air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWK, and IRIS-T," he wrote on X.
Kyiv is also mobilizing its allies to hold firm as Donald Trump's return to the White House in January raises fears of a reduction in U.S. support.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized Thursday in Warsaw that peace in Ukraine must not come at the expense of Ukrainians. They also discussed a potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine to act as peacekeepers in the event of a ceasefire agreement.
By Barbara Wojazer, AFP
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