New bombings cause power cuts in several Ukrainian regions
Ukrainian energy infrastructure was again the target on Saturday of Russian bombardments in western Ukraine, announced the operator Ukrenergo. The electricity transmission system operator added on Telegram that “the extent of the damage [était] comparable or could exceed the consequences of the attack of October 10-12” and that he was “now forced to apply restrictions on energy supply in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Kirovohrad regions”.
Ukrainians have already voluntarily reduced their electricity consumption by 5% to 20% on average on certain days and in certain regions, Ukrenergo director Volodymyr Koudrytsky told Agence France-Presse in a written statement. . “We are grateful to the people who have reduced consumption at home and to the companies who are doing the same”he added.
Local authorities also said strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Odessa, Kirovohrad and Lutsk regions.
Other Ukrainian regions have reported electricity problems. It’s about “new rocket fire from terrorists who are fighting against civilian infrastructure and the population”said the chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidency, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram.
Kyiv Regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba announced on Telegram that “temporary stabilization cuts [avaient] were forcibly launched, according to the established schedule”, in the Kyiv region. He added :
The Russians are deliberately hitting energy infrastructure. (…) We need to save electricity. It is our responsibility and our contribution to victory over the enemy.
Electricity and water were also cut in some areas of Volhynia Oblast, according to its governor. The town of Khmelnytsky was without electricity and city authorities called on residents to prepare for water cuts.
Governor of Rivne Oblast Vitali Koval clarified on Telegram that attacks had targeted in the morning the“energy infrastructure” in the area, damaging electricity substations.
Power cuts were also reported in the Odessa region (South-West), following “two missile strikes on energy infrastructure” of the region, said on Telegram the governor of the oblast, Maksym Marchenko.
The Governor of Kirovohrad Oblast (Central) has, for his part, asked local businesses and residents to reduce their electricity consumption due to strikes on“important” energy infrastructure.