BARRAGE OF RUSSIAN MISSILES CAUSES BLACKOUTS ACROSS UKRAINE AS WINTER SETS IN

Fri 18 November 2022:

Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left more than 10 million people without electricity as winter sets in and temperatures drop, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russia accused Ukraine’s failure to negotiate an end to the war that started on February 24 for the suffering of civilians in Ukraine despite repeated barrages disrupting water and electrical supply there.

On Thursday, residents of the recently recaptured city of Kherson in southern Ukraine rushed to stockpile food, blankets, and winter clothing, with shouting matches and shoving erupting as volunteers tossed supplies into the crowds that waited hours in freezing rain.

The most recent attack occurred as the first snowfall of the season fell, and officials in Kyiv issued a warning that “difficult” days lay ahead.

“Currently, more than 10 million Ukrainians are without electricity,” Zelenskyy said on Thursday, adding the regions of Odesa, Vinnytsia, Sumy and Kyiv were most affected.

Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo said the “cold snap” had brought increased demand in regions where electricity was recently brought back, and government energy adviser Oleksandr Kharchenko told media 50 percent of Ukrainians were experiencing disruptions.

“Civilian sites are the main target. Russia is waging war on electricity and heat for people by blowing up power plants and other energy facilities,” said Zelenskyy.

In the southern Odesa region, a Russian raid hit infrastructure and the governor warned residents of the threat of a “massive” missile attack, urging them to seek shelter.

The eastern region of Kharkiv was also struck, governor Oleg Synegubov announced, adding Russia hit “critical infrastructure”.

A UN agency said a serious humanitarian crisis loomed with millions facing “constant power cuts” as Ukraine’s typically long, cold winter begins.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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