The Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine this morning completely lost its external power supply after massive military action, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), BTA reported.
Several Ukrainian electrical substations, which are vital for nuclear safety, have been affected by military action. Power lines to some other nuclear power plants were also damaged, the statement, which was published on the social network Ex, said.
Russian forces launched a combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine early this morning, cutting off electricity and heating to thousands of residential buildings in Kiev in sub-zero temperatures, Ukrainian officials said.
Moscow said it had carried out massive strikes on military plants in Ukraine, as well as energy and transport facilities used by the Ukrainian army.
New Russian attacks disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies in various parts of Kiev, authorities said, quoted by Ukrinform and DPA.
According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the strikes on the Ukrainian capital left 5,635 multi-storey residential buildings without heating. "Almost 80 percent of these buildings have had their heating restored after being cut off during the major airstrike on January 9," he wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia carried out a combined attack using drones and cruise missiles last night. Initial reports indicate one person was injured, police said.
There was damage to energy infrastructure, residential buildings and cars.
Several cars were engulfed in flames in the attack due to falling debris from drones. The water supply has been disrupted on the left bank of the Dnieper River, which runs through Kiev, Klitschko reported.
Kiev is going through its worst military winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, DPA notes.
Moscow is systematically attacking Ukraine's energy sector. The power grid has suffered serious damage, which is why a blackout regime has been introduced, accompanied by daily power outages lasting several hours.
A series of massive attacks on the Ukrainian capital, combined with persistent sub-zero temperatures, have worsened the situation for Kiev residents. Authorities have urgently opened shelters where people can warm up, get water and charge their mobile phones.