Russia has launched another wave of air strikes at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – leaving the country’s second city, Kharkiv, completely without power.
Kharkiv’s mayor says there’s been “colossal… destruction” of infrastructure in the city and has urged residents to be “patient.”
Two people have died in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, and another has been killed in Kherson in the south, officials said on Friday.
“About nine” power stations have been hit across the country, says Ukraine’s energy minister.
Sixty out of 76 missiles were shot down before hitting their targets, according to the head of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Russia has been targeting the Ukrainian energy grid as winter temperatures plummet – leaving millions with no power, water or heat
Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused its enemy of planning a wide-ranging ground offensive for early in the New Year – despite recent setbacks on the battlefield.
The Biden administration has condemned the new barrage of strikes from Russia into Ukraine, with National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby saying the attacks hit “largely civilian infrastructure.”
Kirby said Russia is “again trying to put fear into the hearts of the Ukrainian people and to make it that much harder on them as winter is now upon them.”
He declined to announce any details on the next security assistance package for Ukraine, but said that there “will be another one” and that additional air defense capabilities should be expected. Conversations with Ukraine on needs continue “in lockstep.”
Kirby also announced that the first tranche of $53 million in energy-related equipment “has arrived in Ukraine coming from the United States.”
“It includes the kinds of equipment that they need to make emergency repairs,” he said, adding that “there will be more coming” to fulfill the US’ $53 million pledge.
