The Ukrainian government needs 24 hours to restore power supply to all those affected by the largest Russian strike on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, stated Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a government meeting.
More than 1 million consumers across Ukraine were left without electricity after overnight Russian airstrikes targeted energy facilities, Reuters reported citing a top presidential official.
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“We will restore electricity in three stages. First – we energize critical infrastructure: heating, water supply, hospitals. Second stage – we energize residential areas. Third stage – we energize industry. Preliminarily, we need a day to power up all residential consumers,” the PM stated.
He noted that today’s Russian strikes were primarily aimed at Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Around 20 substations and power plants were hit, including the country’s largest Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Plant. The plant has suspended operations.
“The key now is that the energy system is integrated and operating stably. There is no power shortage and none is forecast for now. Repair crews are working 24/7 to restore electricity to Ukrainian homes as quickly as possible,” Shmyhal added.
Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine overnight on 22 March. Emergency power outages occurred in seven regions. The Russian military acknowledged Ukraine’s energy facilities were the target.
Russian forces launched around 90 missiles of various types and over 60 kamikaze drones. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed they shot down only 92 out of 151 aerial targets, failing to hit 7 hypersonic Kinzhals, 5 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles, 5 Kh-22 cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
Kharkiv’s infrastructure suffered the greatest damage, with the city completely blacking out.
At the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Russian-occupied territory, one transmission line connecting it to Ukraine’s energy grid was disconnected during the missile attack. Later, Energoatom stated Ukrainian energy workers restored the power line.
Read more:
- Russia fired 151 drones and missiles, Ukraine downed 92 aerial targets this morning
- Ukrenergo: Power outages in Ukraine’s seven regions due to Russian air attack on energy grid
- Russia targets Ukraine’s energy infrastructure: explosions rock multiple cities in Ukraine (updates)
