Several regions of Ukraine hit by power cuts after Russian strikes, grid operator says

Kyiv said it was Moscow's opening salvo in an expected campaign to try to knock out heating and power as winter approaches.

Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have caused power cuts in several regions, grid operator Ukrenergo said on Thursday, urging consumers to limit usage.

Recent attacks have caused outages from the Kharkiv region in the east, Chernihiv and Sumy in the north, to Rivne in the northwest and Kirovohrad in central Ukraine, it said.

"Where security conditions currently allow, emergency repair and restoration work is already under way," a statement read.

"Energy workers are doing everything possible to restore power to all disconnected consumers as quickly as possible."

The cuts come after Russia said on Wednesday that it deliberately targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure with drones and missiles in the capital, Kyiv, and nearby region.

Kyiv said it was Moscow's opening salvo in an expected campaign to try to knock out heating and power as winter approaches.

A recent increase in strikes has prompted fears about another winter with little or no power or heating, after similar attacks last year when temperatures plunged to -20C.

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