Thousands of people in Ukraine were left without power, heat, or water on Wednesday after Russia struck their country with fresh missile strikes. The European Union’s Parliament passed a resolution designating Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism”.
The Kremlin denies targeting civilians and says the attack was an attempt to deprive Ukraine of its ability to fight. But the IAEA has raised concerns about shelling around the country’s largest nuclear power plant. The plant, in the south of Ukraine, was under Russian attack on Sunday.
Ukraine’s military says at least one person has been killed in the strikes. Russia says it is targeting “infrastructure” in Kyiv. But local officials say the strikes have damaged much of the country’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine’s energy minister says at least half of the country’s energy infrastructure has been damaged. He says engineers are working to restore the network. He also says most thermal and hydroelectric power plants have been forced to shut down.
Ukrainian president Petro Panteleev has warned consumers not to use energy guzzling appliances. He also said there are 4,000 centres that can provide water, heat, and internet services. He has asked for the international community to help Ukraine.
The IAEA has renewed calls for a protection zone around the plant. And Ukrainian authorities say they have taken control of 88 towns in the region. But the population is still assessing the damage the Russian invasion has caused.
Authorities in Lviv said that a whole city was left without power after fresh Russian rocket attacks. They said the dam had also been hit.
