Kiev, 7 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Russia launched a series of rocket and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, targeting energy facilities, Ukrainian authorities said early on Friday.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Facebook that power and gas infrastructure in several regions had been impacted.

"Rescue workers and electricians are working to resolve the situation where possible," Galushchenko said.

The Ukrainian air defence reported that Kalibr guided missiles, launched from ships in the Black Sea, had been used.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later reported on Telegram that Russia had launched nearly 70 missiles at Ukraine, causing damage in the Odessa, Poltava, and Ternopil regions.

Officials said at least five people were injured in the eastern city of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram that both an infrastructure facility and a nearby residential building were struck.

Terekhov said that rescue workers were searching for more victims under the rubble of the partially collapsed apartment building, adding that six people had been rescued so far.

The western region of Ternopil also saw damage from the attack, with gas supply disruptions reported. However, no fatalities or injuries were reported in the region, military governor Vyacheslav Nehoda said on Telegram.

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion for more than three years.

During this time, Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, destroying more than half of the country's electricity generation capacity.

Kremlin warns EU defence plan will not go unanswered

Meanwhile, in response to the European Union’s newly announced rearmament initiative, Russia has signalled plans to bolster its own defence.

"All this militarization is directed primarily against Russia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

Moscow views the EU's initiative as a potential threat and will take necessary steps to safeguard its security, he added.

The EU’s decision to ramp up military capabilities came during an emergency summit on Thursday.

A key proposal discussed was the ReArm Europe plan, introduced by the European Commission earlier this week, which aims to mobilize nearly €800 billion ($868 billion) to beef up EU defences.

MIA file photo