Kiev, 29 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Ukraine has once again reported severe damage to the country's energy infrastructure following massive Russian attacks that triggered a nationwide air raid alert.

Hydroelectric and thermal power stations in the west and centre of Ukraine were damaged, the energy supplier Ukrenergo announced on Friday.

The Ukrainian air defence reported in the morning that 84 of a total 99 Russian targets had been shot down in the air. Russia made extensive use of drones, missiles and cruise missiles, the report stated.

In western Ukraine, the Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnytskyi regions reported explosions following the airstrikes.

Power generation plants were particularly targeted by the missiles and drones, the Energy Ministry in Kiev said, adding that emergency services were working to mitigate the impact of the airstrikes. The Dnipropetrovsk region and other regions were affected.

US Ambassador Bridget Brink condemned "Russia’s barbaric effort to take the power out for millions of men, women, and children."

She added: "All night, Russia has ruthlessly launched missiles & drones against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure - now all of Ukraine is under air alert."

Brink said "our assistance is needed now." US aid to Ukraine has been tied up in the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to bring a measure to approve some $60 billion in Ukrainian aid to the House floor.

Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, but it has recently intensified its attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, hoping to demoralize Ukrainians.

Ukrenergo said scheduled power cuts are currently necessary in the Kharkiv region. The power supply is also at risk in the Odessa and Khmelnytskyi regions. Ukraine currently imports electricity from five neighbouring countries to the west.

Photo: EPA