Ukraine on Friday (June 7) ordered all ministries and regional authorities to stop using air conditioning and switch off external lighting as Russian bombardments forced long blackouts across the country.

Ukraine on Friday (June 7) ordered all ministries and regional authorities to stop using air conditioning and switch off external lighting as Russian bombardments forced long blackouts across the country. At a government meeting, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that reducing power consumption and saving as much electricity as possible was vital following Russian strikes on the Ukrainian power system. "Due to the Russian attacks, we have a significant deficit in the energy system. To improve the situation, we restore and expand generation and simultaneously reduce consumption," Prime Minister Shmyhal added. Also read | Russia-Ukraine war: Biden apologises to Zelensky for holdup of military assistance "We approved the government's order to reduce electricity consumption by all state authorities. Ministries, central institutions, and regional administrations should stop using air conditioners and external lighting of buildings and nearby areas," he said. The prime minister further urged businesses to follow and limit the use of air conditioning and other energy-intensive equipment as much as possible. Attacks intensified on Ukraine's energy system A report by the news agency Reuters said that over the past two months, Russia has intensified its attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, knocking out the bulk of thermal and hydropower generation capacity. PM Shmyhal said on Friday that Ukraine has lost about 9 GW of energy-generating capacity since March. Following the latest attack earlier this month, the sixth since March, the government imposed long electricity cuts across the country. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × People in Kyiv said that they had no electricity for up to 12 hours a day. Rolling blackouts are a reminder of the first winter of the war when Russian bombardments targeted the distribution grid, resulting in long hours without electricity and sometimes water and heating. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine war: Kyiv orders ministries to stop using ACs as power system hit by Russia

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday said that the Kakhovka dam explosion was "one of the most significant environmental catastrophes in Europe in recent decades".

While speaking at the OECD in Paris via video link, Shmyhal said "dozens of towns and villages will struggle with potable (drinking) water supply".&nbsp;

He further added that the attack would also "affect irrigation systems in southern Ukraine, leading to drought and crop failures. This strikes at the heart of global food security".

"The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant meant at least 150 tonnes of machine oil has leaked into the (Dnipro) river with the risk of an additional 300 tonnes seeping out. This poses a threat to the unique flora and fauna," he said.

He called the act a "crime against humanity and an ecocide. Therefore Russia must face a powerful and unified response, not mere words".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/was-the-ukraine-dam-partially-damaged-days-before-it-collapsed-satellite-images-show-detailed-insights-601745">Was the Ukraine dam partially damaged days before it collapsed? Satellite images show detailed insights</a>

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia for exploding an "environmental bomb of mass destruction", saying that the authorities expected up to 80 settlements to be flooded and called&nbsp;for the world to "react".

<h2>People forced to spend the night on roofs, trees due to flooding</h2>

The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine caused people awaiting rescue in affected areas to spend Tuesday night (June 6) on roofs or trees due to flooding.

Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed houses and buildings submerged, with&nbsp;only&nbsp;roofs visible, and water taking over parks, land and infrastructure. And many such people slept on roofs and sat on trees, waiting to be rescued, the news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian government estimated that around 42,000 people are at direct risk from flooding which is expected to peak on Wednesday, and hundreds and thousands would be left without access to drinking water.&nbsp;

In a statement, the agriculture ministry said the disaster would cut off the water supply to 31 irrigation systems in the Ukrainian regions of Dnipro. The dam's destruction has left 94 per cent&nbsp;of irrigation systems in Kherson, 74 per cent&nbsp;of those in Zaporizhzhia, and 30 per cent&nbsp;in Dnipro regions without water, the ministry added.&nbsp;

Residents in affected areas have started fleeing, carrying children on their shoulders, dogs in their arms, and belongings in plastic bags while rescuers used rubber boats to search areas where the waters reached above head height.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday said that the Kakhovka dam explosion was "one of the most significant environmental catastrophes in Europe in recent decades".

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday said that the Kakhovka dam explosion was "one of the most significant environmental catastrophes in Europe in recent decades". While speaking at the OECD in Paris via video link, Shmyhal said "dozens of towns and villages will struggle with potable (drinking) water supply". He further added that the attack would also "affect irrigation systems in southern Ukraine, leading to drought and crop failures. This strikes at the heart of global food security". "The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant meant at least 150 tonnes of machine oil has leaked into the (Dnipro) river with the risk of an additional 300 tonnes seeping out. This poses a threat to the unique flora and fauna," he said. He called the act a "crime against humanity and an ecocide. Therefore Russia must face a powerful and unified response, not mere words". Also read: Was the Ukraine dam partially damaged days before it collapsed? Satellite images show detailed insights Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia for exploding an "environmental bomb of mass destruction", saying that the authorities expected up to 80 settlements to be flooded and called for the world to "react". People forced to spend the night on roofs, trees due to flooding The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine caused people awaiting rescue in affected areas to spend Tuesday night (June 6) on roofs or trees due to flooding. Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed houses and buildings submerged, with only roofs visible, and water taking over parks, land and infrastructure. And many such people slept on roofs and sat on trees, waiting to be rescued, the news agency Reuters reported. The Ukrainian government estimated that around 42,000 people are at direct risk from flooding which is expected to peak on Wednesday, and hundreds and thousands would be left without access to drinking water. In a statement, the agriculture ministry said the disaster would cut off the water supply to 31 irrigation systems in the Ukrainian regions of Dnipro. The dam's destruction has left 94 per cent of irrigation systems in Kherson, 74 per cent of those in Zaporizhzhia, and 30 per cent in Dnipro regions without water, the ministry added. Residents in affected areas have started fleeing, carrying children on their shoulders, dogs in their arms, and belongings in plastic bags while rescuers used rubber boats to search areas where the waters reached above head height. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal calls Kakhovka dam destruction 'environmental catastrophe'

Canada on Tuesday (April 11) pledged fresh military support for war-torn Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Russia. After meeting Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Toronto, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government would send 21,000 assault rifles, 38 machine guns, and 2.4 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine and impose sanctions on 14 Russian individuals and 34 entities, including security targets linked to Wagner Group, the news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

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"We will continue to support Ukraine with everything needed for as long as necessary," Trudeau said. The Canadian prime minister added that Ottawa was also imposing sanctions on nine entities tied to the Belarusian financial sector to further pressure Russia's "enablers in Belarus."

Since January last year, Canada has committed over C$ 8 billion to Ukraine in financial, military, humanitarian, and other assistance, a month before Russia's invasion began.&nbsp;

On February 24 this year, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-canada-pledges-4-more-leopard-tanks-to-kyiv-imposes-new-sanctions-on-russia-565866">Prime Minister Trudeau announced that his government was sanctioning an additional</a> 192 Russian individuals and entities. These sanctions targeted Russian lawmakers who supported Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, including ministers in Putin's cabinet, the military and defence sector as well as family members of individuals already on the sanctions list of Canada. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, Ukraine's general staff said on Tuesday that Russia pressed on with its offensive in the eastern Donetsk region where several cities and towns came under heavy bombardment.&nbsp;

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, accused Moscow of "scorched earth". Speaking about Bakhmut, Colonel General Syrskyi said, "The enemy switched to so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire," Reuters further reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Canada on Tuesday (April 11) pledged fresh military support for war-torn Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Russia. After meeting Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Toronto, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government would send 21,000 assault rifles, 38 machine guns, and 2.

Canada on Tuesday (April 11) pledged fresh military support for war-torn Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Russia. After meeting Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Toronto, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government would send 21,000 assault rifles, 38 machine guns, and 2.4 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine and impose sanctions on 14 Russian individuals and 34 entities, including security targets linked to Wagner Group, the news agency Reuters reported. ALSO READ | Ukraine hackers claim hacking Russian spy who targetted US Democrats in 2016 "We will continue to support Ukraine with everything needed for as long as necessary," Trudeau said. The Canadian prime minister added that Ottawa was also imposing sanctions on nine entities tied to the Belarusian financial sector to further pressure Russia's "enablers in Belarus." Since January last year, Canada has committed over C$ 8 billion to Ukraine in financial, military, humanitarian, and other assistance, a month before Russia's invasion began. On February 24 this year, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that his government was sanctioning an additional 192 Russian individuals and entities. These sanctions targeted Russian lawmakers who supported Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, including ministers in Putin's cabinet, the military and defence sector as well as family members of individuals already on the sanctions list of Canada. Meanwhile, Ukraine's general staff said on Tuesday that Russia pressed on with its offensive in the eastern Donetsk region where several cities and towns came under heavy bombardment. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, accused Moscow of "scorched earth". Speaking about Bakhmut, Colonel General Syrskyi said, "The enemy switched to so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire," Reuters further reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war: Canada pledges fresh military support for Kyiv, imposes new sanctions on Russia

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine.&nbsp;"The situation is difficult, the scale of the accident is significant, it is impossible to quickly restore power supply, in particular to critical infrastructure," wrote Shmyhal on Telegram.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-swap-dozens-of-prisoners-of-war-558794">Russia, Ukraine swap dozens of prisoners of war</a>

The prime minister added that the Odesa region's substation had suffered damages multiple times previously because of Russian missile strikes and that the energy minister will be soon reaching the regional capital to look into the repairs along with the CEO of the national grid operator.

Shmyhal stated that the authorities have been working to ensure that the power supply to apartment blocks and critical infrastructure is restored as soon as possible so that the homes can remain heated using electricity.

On Saturday, the temperature in Odesa, which is the main southern port city of Ukraine on the Black Sea and has a population of one million people, was at two degrees Celsius (35.6°F) and as per experts it is likely to dip below freezing temperature in the next week.

WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Zelensky meeting with EU leaders underway; Russia advances in East Ukraine

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Shmyhal said that the energy ministry of Ukraine has been ordered to scramble every possible high-power generator which is available in its nationwide inventory and send it to Odesa in a day.

He added that the foreign ministry has also been asked to request Turkey to send power ships, which are vessels that carry power plants, to the city till there is a power outage.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine. "The situation is difficult, the scale of the accident is significant, it is impossible to quickly restore power supply, in particular to critical infrastructure," wrote Shmyhal on Telegram. ALSO READ | Russia, Ukraine swap dozens of prisoners of war The prime minister added that the Odesa region's substation had suffered damages multiple times previously because of Russian missile strikes and that the energy minister will be soon reaching the regional capital to look into the repairs along with the CEO of the national grid operator. Shmyhal stated that the authorities have been working to ensure that the power supply to apartment blocks and critical infrastructure is restored as soon as possible so that the homes can remain heated using electricity. On Saturday, the temperature in Odesa, which is the main southern port city of Ukraine on the Black Sea and has a population of one million people, was at two degrees Celsius (35.6°F) and as per experts it is likely to dip below freezing temperature in the next week. WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Zelensky meeting with EU leaders underway; Russia advances in East Ukraine Shmyhal said that the energy ministry of Ukraine has been ordered to scramble every possible high-power generator which is available in its nationwide inventory and send it to Odesa in a day. He added that the foreign ministry has also been asked to request Turkey to send power ships, which are vessels that carry power plants, to the city till there is a power outage. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New blow to power grid in Ukraine after major accident in Odesa, says PM

Ukraine on Monday demanded that Russia be immediately expelled from the Council of Europe, saying Moscow had no right to remain a member of the pan-European rights body after the invasion of its neighbour.

The Council of Europe, which is separate from the European Union, suspended Russia's membership on February&nbsp;25 and is now debating whether to bar it altogether, which would be a first since the pan-Europe institution was set up after World War Two.

"We urge you to take a decision on the immediate expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg via video link, adding that Russia's attack meant it "cannot stay in the European family".

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Those responsible for "this unprovoked and unjustified aggression (against Ukraine) cannot stay in the single European family where human life is the highest value," he said.

"Ukraine is on fire, hundreds of houses have been destroyed, millions of Ukrainians lack electricity, heating," said the premier, addressing the session in place of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was said to be handling urgent developments amid talks with Russia.

"We need to join our efforts, not only to help Ukraine, but to help all of Europe," Shmygal told the Strasbourg-based assembly on Monday, before receiving a standing ovation.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CoE), which gathered in a special session to talk about Ukraine on Monday, demonstrated their support to the country and CoE member state.

It&nbsp;is debating whether to bar it altogether, which would be a first since the pan-Europe institution was set up after World War Two.

Parliamentary Assembly President Tiny Kox called for a minute silence at the start of the extraordinary session and members gathered with signs and banners against the war in Ukraine afterwards.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/laws-governing-foreigners-who-have-signed-up-for-ukraines-international-legion-462130">Laws governing foreigners who have signed up for Ukraine's 'international legion'</a>

Russia, which is a member of the Council of Europe along with 46 other states, was suspended on February 25 after its military intervention in Ukraine.

Russian MP Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the PACE until the current crisis, has indicated &nbsp;Moscow wants to quit the COE, writing: "Let them stew in their own juice, without us."

But Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov denied Russia had already quit the body. "We are in the process of drawing a line but it is not completely drawn," he said Saturday.

The Kremlin had said last month that the suspension of Russia's membership in the Council of Europe was "really unfair" but added the move provided a good reason "to slam the door" for good on the organisation, giving Moscow an opportunity to restore the death penalty for dangerous criminals.

Russia describes its invasion of Ukraine as a "special operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine. Ukraine and Western allies call this a baseless pretext for a war of choice.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine on Monday demanded that Russia be immediately expelled from the Council of Europe, saying Moscow had no right to remain a member of the pan-European rights body after the invasion of its neighbour.

Ukraine on Monday demanded that Russia be immediately expelled from the Council of Europe, saying Moscow had no right to remain a member of the pan-European rights body after the invasion of its neighbour. The Council of Europe, which is separate from the European Union, suspended Russia's membership on February 25 and is now debating whether to bar it altogether, which would be a first since the pan-Europe institution was set up after World War Two. "We urge you to take a decision on the immediate expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg via video link, adding that Russia's attack meant it "cannot stay in the European family". Those responsible for "this unprovoked and unjustified aggression (against Ukraine) cannot stay in the single European family where human life is the highest value," he said. "Ukraine is on fire, hundreds of houses have been destroyed, millions of Ukrainians lack electricity, heating," said the premier, addressing the session in place of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was said to be handling urgent developments amid talks with Russia. "We need to join our efforts, not only to help Ukraine, but to help all of Europe," Shmygal told the Strasbourg-based assembly on Monday, before receiving a standing ovation. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CoE), which gathered in a special session to talk about Ukraine on Monday, demonstrated their support to the country and CoE member state. It is debating whether to bar it altogether, which would be a first since the pan-Europe institution was set up after World War Two. Parliamentary Assembly President Tiny Kox called for a minute silence at the start of the extraordinary session and members gathered with signs and banners against the war in Ukraine afterwards. Also see | Laws governing foreigners who have signed up for Ukraine's 'international legion' Russia, which is a member of the Council of Europe along with 46 other states, was suspended on February 25 after its military intervention in Ukraine. Russian MP Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the PACE until the current crisis, has indicated Moscow wants to quit the COE, writing: "Let them stew in their own juice, without us." But Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov denied Russia had already quit the body. "We are in the process of drawing a line but it is not completely drawn," he said Saturday. The Kremlin had said last month that the suspension of Russia's membership in the Council of Europe was "really unfair" but added the move provided a good reason "to slam the door" for good on the organisation, giving Moscow an opportunity to restore the death penalty for dangerous criminals. Russia describes its invasion of Ukraine as a "special operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine. Ukraine and Western allies call this a baseless pretext for a war of choice. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal urges for 'immediate' expulsion of Russia from Council of Europe

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Ukraine war: Kyiv orders ministries to stop using ACs as power system hit by Russia

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal calls Kakhovka dam destruction 'environmental catastrophe'

Ukraine war: Canada pledges fresh military support for Kyiv, imposes new sanctions on Russia

New blow to power grid in Ukraine after major accident in Odesa, says PM

Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal urges for 'immediate' expulsion of Russia from Council of Europe