Ukraine war: Kyiv orders electricity curbs and warns of blackouts after Russian attacks
The Ukrainian government placed restrictions on electricity usage nationwide on Thursday, for the first time since Russia's invasion following a barrage of attacks on power plants just before the winter sets in.
The move comes as Ukraine's military tightens the noose around Russian forces occupying the southern city of Kherson.
Power supply is being restricted between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., government officials and the grid operator Ukrenergo said, and temporary blackouts were possible if people did not minimise their use of electricity, a presidential aide said.
"We do not exclude that with the onset of cold weather we will be asking for your help even more frequently", Ukrenergo said, referring to the restriction that is limited to Thursday.
Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's power and water infrastructure in recent days.
A Russian missile strike hit a major thermal power station in the city of Burshtyn in western Ukraine, the region's governor said on Wednesday, the latest in a wave of attacks on infrastructure ahead of winter.
"There is new damage to critical infrastructure. Three energy facilities were destroyed by the enemy today," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his Wednesday night video address.
"We assume that Russian terror will be directed at energy facilities until, with the help of partners, we are able to shoot down 100% of enemy missiles and drones," said Zelenskyy, who earlier in the week said a third power stations had been hit by Russian air strikes.
Zelenskyy was due to address an EU summit on Thursday. Leaders of the 27 member states will discuss options for more support to Ukraine, including energy equipment, helping restore power supply and long-term financing to rebuild.
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