Russian missiles pound Ukraine energy infrastructure

Ukrainian servicemen get ready to repel an attack in Ukraine’s Lugansk region. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives. Pic/Anatolii Stepanov/AFP

Russia unleashed a new wave of missile strikes on energy infrastructure across Ukraine on Friday, causing power outages, restricting water supplies and prompting new calls by Kyiv for Western arms.

At least 17 missiles hit the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in an hour in the heaviest attack since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, local officials said.

National grid operator Ukrenergo said drone and missile strikes on power stations and transmission facilities overnight and during the Friday morning rush hour damaged energy facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine.

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There was no immediate word of any deaths but Oleh Synehubov, governor of the Kharkiv region said seven people had been wounded.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said two Russian Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea had flown through the airspace of Moldova and NATO member Romania before entering Ukraine. Moldova later confirmed its airspace had been violated by a Russian missile.

Russia did not immediately comment and Romania's defence ministry said it could not confirm the report. The Ukrainska Pravda media outlet quoted the air force spokesperson as saying Ukraine could have shot down the missiles but did not do so because it did not want to endanger civilians in foreign countries.

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