ISTANBUL

Ukraine said on Saturday that Russian airstrikes targeted energy facilities and infrastructure in the country in a “massive” attack.

Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said in a statement on Telegram that power substations and 750 kV and 330 kV overhead lines, which he described as the basis of the country’s power grid, were under attack.

Stating the strikes also hit the Burshtyn and Dobrotvir thermal power plants in western Ukraine, Shmyhal said staff at the country's nuclear power plant units unloaded the capacity of the facilities.

“As of now, 4.5–5 emergency outage schedules have been applied throughout Ukraine, and special emergency outage schedules are in place in the eastern and northern regions,” Shmyhal further said.

He went on to say that the attack is ongoing and energy workers are ready to begin restoration work as soon as the security situation allows.

The minister added that Ukraine’s power grid operator Ukrenergo requested emergency assistance from neighboring Poland amid the situation. The operator had earlier announced emergency outages in most regions.

Ukrainian private energy provider DTEK also reported strikes on its thermal power stations in various regions, resulting in “significant” damage.

Russian authorities have not yet commented on the attack.