Ukrainian energy system has experienced its most difficult day since the massive power outage in November 2022 and the situation remains “extremely difficult”, Energy Minister Denys Shmygal said, quoted by Reuters.
Shmygal, who is also first deputy prime minister, said the difficulties were caused by a number of factors - constant shelling, as well as damage to generating equipment and transformers. Conditions are most difficult in Kiev and the surrounding region, as well as in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region.
“Ukraine has had the most difficult day for the power system since the power outage in November 2022. The situation is extremely difficult“, he said.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 2,600 residential buildings were still “without heating two days after the latest night attacks“, while heating had been restored to 600 buildings. He added that power outages would remain in place until water supplies were fully restored.
Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko said efforts were being made to provide Kiev residents with alternative energy sources and generators.
Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers carried out a planned patrol over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said on its Telegram account, Reuters reported.
„Tu-22M3 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a planned flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. The escort of fighters was provided by crews of Su-35S and Su-30SM of the Aerospace Forces, the statement said, TASS reported.
The flight lasted more than five hours. At certain stages of the route, the long-range bombers were escorted by fighter jets from foreign countries. The ministry noted that long-range aviation crews regularly fly over neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Baltic and Black Seas. All flights are carried out in strict compliance with international rules, the department noted.
Reuters notes that Russia regularly conducts such patrols as a show of force. The statement was published minutes after President Vladimir Putin began a meeting with three US envoys in the Kremlin to discuss proposals to end the war in Ukraine.