Russia launches wide attack on Ukrainian energy facilties

Ukraine's air force on Wednesday said it had downed dozens of Russian missiles and drones fired in an overnight barrage that targeted Ukrainian energy facilities.

While Ukrainian troops struggle to hold the front line more than two years into the war, Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, triggering blackouts and electricity rationing across the country.

"The enemy used 76 means of air attack — 55 missiles and 21 attack drones," the air force said on Telegram, adding its air defence systems had intercepted 39 missiles and 20 drones.

An eight-year-old child was wounded in the central Kirovograd region, while falling debris wounded two in the region surrounding Kyiv, authorities said.

Russian forces launched several cruise missiles at the capital, putting the city on alert for over three hours, according to the local administration.

"Rockets entered Kyiv from different directions — all air targets in the area of the capital were destroyed," Kyiv city's military administration said.

Moscow has launched some of its biggest ever strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities in recent months, knocking out a significant chunk of production.

"The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light," Energy Minister German Galushchenko said, denouncing what he called "another massive attack on our energy industry!"

 'Under enemy sight'

The strikes targeted energy infrastructure facilities in at least six regions, the ministry said.

At least three thermal power plants were "seriously damaged" overnight according to Ukraine's largest private energy operator DTEK.

This was the fifth attack on the company's energy facilities in a month and a...