President Volodymyr Zelensky said&nbsp;that four million people in Ukraine have lost electricity as a result of Russia's bombing campaign, and officials in the capital Kyiv have issued warnings of "unprecedented" outages.&nbsp;

Zelensky was speaking after Russia announced that it had finished calling up all 300,000 reserve soldiers to fight in Ukraine.&nbsp;

In the meantime, the United States offered new military assistance to Ukraine, in part as a result of Russian attacks on the nation's infrastructure for civilian use.&nbsp;

Zelensky emphasised in his Friday evening speech that the Russian campaign's effects were being felt throughout the entire nation.

"About 4 million Ukrainians face restrictions now" from the rolling blackouts, he said. "We are doing everything so that the state has the opportunity to reduce such blackouts."

In advance of winter, Russian forces have been hammering Ukraine with airstrikes that specifically target energy infrastructure and have destroyed at least a third of the nation's power plants.&nbsp;

DTEK, the energy provider for the Kyiv region, warned Friday that because of the Russian attacks, it would have to implement "unprecedented" power cuts there in order to prevent a total blackout.

"More severe and longer blackouts will be implemented in the coming days," it said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-moscow-has-sent-1000-troops-as-reinforcement-as-fighting-intensifies-in-kherson-529171">Ukraine: Moscow has sent 1,000 troops as reinforcement as fighting intensifies in Kherson</a>

In the meantime, in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that they had reached their call-up goal of 300,000 soldiers.&nbsp;

The mobilisation was announced on September 21 to help turn the tide after Moscow suffered a string of defeats in Ukraine, which resulted in some Russian men running for the borders to flee the conflict.

(with inputs from agencies)

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President Volodymyr Zelensky said that four million people in Ukraine have lost electricity as a result of Russia's bombing campaign, and officials in the capital Kyiv have issued warnings of "unprecedented" outages.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that four million people in Ukraine have lost electricity as a result of Russia's bombing campaign, and officials in the capital Kyiv have issued warnings of "unprecedented" outages. Zelensky was speaking after Russia announced that it had finished calling up all 300,000 reserve soldiers to fight in Ukraine. In the meantime, the United States offered new military assistance to Ukraine, in part as a result of Russian attacks on the nation's infrastructure for civilian use. Zelensky emphasised in his Friday evening speech that the Russian campaign's effects were being felt throughout the entire nation. "About 4 million Ukrainians face restrictions now" from the rolling blackouts, he said. "We are doing everything so that the state has the opportunity to reduce such blackouts." In advance of winter, Russian forces have been hammering Ukraine with airstrikes that specifically target energy infrastructure and have destroyed at least a third of the nation's power plants. DTEK, the energy provider for the Kyiv region, warned Friday that because of the Russian attacks, it would have to implement "unprecedented" power cuts there in order to prevent a total blackout. "More severe and longer blackouts will be implemented in the coming days," it said. Also Read: Ukraine: Moscow has sent 1,000 troops as reinforcement as fighting intensifies in Kherson In the meantime, in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that they had reached their call-up goal of 300,000 soldiers. The mobilisation was announced on September 21 to help turn the tide after Moscow suffered a string of defeats in Ukraine, which resulted in some Russian men running for the borders to flee the conflict. (with inputs from agencies)

Kyiv bracing for 'unprecedented' power outages due to Russia's bombing campaign

A statement on Saturday by the Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom said Russia has detained the chief of the nuclear power facility in Zaporizhzhia, which is in control of Moscow since it captured the region.&nbsp;

Europe's largest nuclear power station, Zaporizhzhia, has been the focal point of tensions in recent weeks as Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of conducting strikes on or around the plant, sparking worries of a nuclear catastrophe.

In a statement posted on social media, Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin said, Ihor Murashov was stopped by a "Russian patrol" on Friday at around 16:00 local time (1300 GMT) as he travelled from the facility to the Moscow-controlled city of Energodar.

He said that once Murashov's automobile was halted, he was dragged out and "with his eyes blindfolded, he was driven in an unknown direction."&nbsp;

At the Zaporizhzhia facility, Murashov "bears the main and exclusive responsibility for the nuclear and radiation safety," Kotin continued.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/musk-previews-humanoid-robot-optimus-at-ai-day-event-at-tesla-office-521383">Musk previews humanoid robot 'Optimus' at AI day event at Tesla office</a>

The nuclear facility is situated in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, which Russia annexed on Friday along with Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kherson.

Shelling near the facility has prompted demands for demilitarising the region around nuclear facilities in Ukraine from Kyiv and its Western supporters.&nbsp;

Early in September, a monitoring team from the IAEA went to Zaporizhzhia.

(with inputs from agencies)

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A statement on Saturday by the Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom said Russia has detained the chief of the nuclear power facility in Zaporizhzhia, which is in control of Moscow since it captured the region.

A statement on Saturday by the Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom said Russia has detained the chief of the nuclear power facility in Zaporizhzhia, which is in control of Moscow since it captured the region. Europe's largest nuclear power station, Zaporizhzhia, has been the focal point of tensions in recent weeks as Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of conducting strikes on or around the plant, sparking worries of a nuclear catastrophe. In a statement posted on social media, Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin said, Ihor Murashov was stopped by a "Russian patrol" on Friday at around 16:00 local time (1300 GMT) as he travelled from the facility to the Moscow-controlled city of Energodar. He said that once Murashov's automobile was halted, he was dragged out and "with his eyes blindfolded, he was driven in an unknown direction." At the Zaporizhzhia facility, Murashov "bears the main and exclusive responsibility for the nuclear and radiation safety," Kotin continued. Also Read: Musk previews humanoid robot 'Optimus' at AI day event at Tesla office The nuclear facility is situated in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, which Russia annexed on Friday along with Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kherson. Shelling near the facility has prompted demands for demilitarising the region around nuclear facilities in Ukraine from Kyiv and its Western supporters. Early in September, a monitoring team from the IAEA went to Zaporizhzhia. (with inputs from agencies)

Chief of Ukraine's Moscow-held nuclear power plant detained by Russia: Report

Amid the fighting in Ukraine, Russia claimed it had annexed Ukraine’s second-biggest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region.

Russia has deployed its forces in the southern region even as President Zelensky’s government claimed grain export is set to restart soon. Ukraine claimed it had bombed a key bridge in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-netizens-split-over-ukraine-president-volodymyr-zelensky-and-his-wifes-vogue-cover-image-501163">Also Read:&nbsp;Netizens split over President Zelensky and his wife's Vogue photoshoot</a>

Ukraine has said it wants to recapture Kherson amid reports of massive Russian redeployment in the region. Russian forces reportedly attacked Mykolaiv city with rocket launchers as President Zelensky’s forces attacked a bridge in Dnipro river in Kherson.

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;Ukraine war pushing world economy to the brink of recession, says IMF

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As the war continues to rage in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he is likely to have a phone call with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov which would be the first diplomatic engagement between the two top diplomats ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin declared “special military operation” against Ukraine on February 24.

Blinken, however, added that it won’t be a “negotiation” on Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine had concluded a deal on the export of wheat and other grain from the Black Sea ports after months of wrangling, however, a missile attack in the area put the deal in jeopardy even as efforts are underway to begin transporting grain to the international market.

Russia has also cut gas supply to Europe amid large-scale sanctions as Germany said gas supply has dropped to 20 per cent. Russia blamed EU sanctions for the drop in supply as Europe braces for further energy cutbacks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Amid the fighting in Ukraine, Russia claimed it had annexed Ukraine’s second-biggest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region. Russia has deployed its forces in the southern region even as President Zelensky’s government claimed grain export is set to restart soon.

Amid the fighting in Ukraine, Russia claimed it had annexed Ukraine’s second-biggest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region. Russia has deployed its forces in the southern region even as President Zelensky’s government claimed grain export is set to restart soon. Ukraine claimed it had bombed a key bridge in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces. Also Read: Netizens split over President Zelensky and his wife's Vogue photoshoot Ukraine has said it wants to recapture Kherson amid reports of massive Russian redeployment in the region. Russian forces reportedly attacked Mykolaiv city with rocket launchers as President Zelensky’s forces attacked a bridge in Dnipro river in Kherson. Watch: Ukraine war pushing world economy to the brink of recession, says IMF As the war continues to rage in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he is likely to have a phone call with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov which would be the first diplomatic engagement between the two top diplomats ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin declared “special military operation” against Ukraine on February 24. Blinken, however, added that it won’t be a “negotiation” on Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine had concluded a deal on the export of wheat and other grain from the Black Sea ports after months of wrangling, however, a missile attack in the area put the deal in jeopardy even as efforts are underway to begin transporting grain to the international market. Russia has also cut gas supply to Europe amid large-scale sanctions as Germany said gas supply has dropped to 20 per cent. Russia blamed EU sanctions for the drop in supply as Europe braces for further energy cutbacks. (With inputs from Agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Russia claims it has captured Ukraine’s second-biggest power plant in Donetsk