Ukraine claims 2 power plants hit overnight by Russian airstrikes

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Two thermal power plants were damaged in a Russian overnight attack, the Ukrainian energy holding DTEK said on Saturday.

"And again, an extremely difficult night for the Ukrainian energy industry. The equipment has been seriously damaged," the company said in a statement on the Telegram channel without identifying the affected plants or their locations.

Engineers are working to repair the damage, while rescue and other services are clearing the power plants of rubble and other debris, it said.

On Saturday night, an air raid alert was issued almost throughout Ukraine, and multiple explosions were reported in several settlements, including the city of Zaporizhzhia.

In a separate statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia fired 50 missiles and 50 drones targeting the country's energy infrastructure.

He urged the international partners to provide Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems as soon as possible so that his nation's troops would be capable of repelling Russia's air attacks.

Moscow has yet to comment on Ukraine's claims.