‘Massive’ Russian attack on Ukrainian power plants limits supplies across nation

Ukraine's grid operator Ukrenergo said on Wednesday (May 8) that the overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused a deficit in the grid system. Hydropower and thermal power plants were damaged in the attack. Ukraine warned of possible power shutdowns across the country.

The state power operator Ukrenergo also said it was limiting supplies across the country. It said in a statement, "Ukrenergo's dispatch centre is forced to limit power supply to industry and business from 18:00 to 23:00. The scope of the restrictions will be distributed evenly among all regions."

"The reason for the restrictions is the shortage of electricity caused by a massive Russian missile and drone attack on energy facilities," it added.

Ukraine claimed that the strikes targeted energy infrastructure facilities in at least six regions, with Energy Minister German Galushchenko calling it "another massive attack on our energy industry". He said, "The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light."

Ukraine's largest private energy operator DTEK stated that at least three thermal power plants were "seriously damaged" overnight.

In response, Russia's defence ministry said its strikes were in retaliation. In the past few months, Ukraine has hit Russian oil refineries and storage depots in drone attacks.

"In response to the Kyiv regime's attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike against energy facilities and enterprises of Ukraine's military-industrial complex," it said in a briefing.

Russia claims to have taken control of two more frontline villages

Meanwhile, Moscow claimed to have taken control of two more frontline villages. Russian forces have increased its attacks on land and from the skies with Ukrainian troops struggling more than two years into the war.

In the latest development, officials said that a Russian air attack hit a school stadium in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv on Wednesday. The strike injured at least four children and three adults.

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Regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on the Telegram messenger that two teenagers were hospitalised in serious condition. The prosecutor's general office further added that the school and nearby residential buildings were damaged in the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia's attack "deliberate, calculated and sneaky."

In a social media post, he said, "Almost 60 missiles and more than 20 'Shahed' drones targeting life-supporting civilian infrastructure. Not a single military target. Life itself was the target overnight, as it has been for hundreds of other similar days in this war."

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)