Russia attacked more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, as Moscow intensified strikes on the country's energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
asserted
Moscow → attack → winter
The attacks hit several western and central regions, prompting round-the-clock restoration efforts and raising fears of widespread power cuts.
asserted
attacks → hit → cuts
Between 7pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday, Russia launched more than 320 jet-powered and gasoline-powered Shahed drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Ukraine's energy sector, cities and communities, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
"Yesterday, the Russians carried out one of their largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector – more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities were targeted across different regions of Ukraine.
asserted
facilities → launch → Ukraine
Restoration work is ongoing, with all necessary services and all available resources of Ukrainian energy companies involved.
asserted
services → involve → companies
I thank everyone working practically nonstop to restore power."
Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to overwhelm Ukraine's energy reserves and repair capacity by expanding its campaign against critical infrastructure.
asserted
Russia → thank → infrastructure
"Russia has expanded its campaign against the energy system and is trying to stretch Ukraine's reserves and repair capacity as thinly as possible," he said.
asserted
he → expand → reserves
Several regions hit as repair teams work round the clock
The most difficult situation was reported in Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta and Netishyn.
asserted
situation → hit → Lutsk
Energy facilities in the Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro and other regions were also hit.
asserted
facilities → hit → Kharkiv
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had shot down a significant number of incoming weapons.
asserted
forces → say → weapons
However, the scale and sustained pace of the attacks were causing serious damage to the country's energy infrastructure.
asserted
scale → cause → infrastructure
"And although our warriors are shooting down a significant number of them, the sheer scale and unrelenting pace of Russia’s strikes, specifically against our energy sector, are unfortunately having severe consequences."
Russia seeks winter blackout, Zelenskyy warns
The latest strikes have heightened concerns about Ukraine's ability to maintain electricity and heating supplies as winter approaches.
asserted
winter → shoot → supplies
Zelenskyy accused Moscow of seeking to leave millions of Ukrainians without essential services by targeting the energy system.
asserted
Zelenskyy → accuse → system
"Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine – right before winter.
asserted
Russia → try → winter
Russia is trying to leave millions of our people without electricity and heating.
asserted
Russia → try → electricity
Pressure is needed to stop this."
asserted
Pressure → need → this
He called for stronger international action to deter further attacks and welcomed additional support from European partners.
asserted
He → call → partners
"It is important that our European partners have already prepared new support packages for Ukraine.
asserted
partners → prepare → Ukraine
And it is important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening."
asserted
what → see → America
Zelenskyy criticises US over Russia sanctions legislation
Zelenskyy also criticised a decision in the United States to disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which he said was intended to increase pressure on Russia and help bring the war to an end.
"
asserted
he → criticise → end
At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end.
asserted
which → carry → end
This Act could have helped enormously – and still can!
uncertain
Act → help → ?
But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters."
asserted
voice → need → it
He argued that easing pressure on Moscow would encourage further aggression rather than bring the conflict closer to a resolution.
asserted
easing → argue → resolution
"A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking."
asserted
all → ease → him
Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's partners not to weaken their support and called for continued efforts to end the war.
asserted
Zelenskyy → urge → war
"We must not give up ground.
asserted
We → give → ground
We must keep trying to end the war.
asserted
We → keep → war
I thank everyone who is truly fighting for peace and helping Ukraine!"
asserted
who → thank → Ukraine