Kyiv [Ukraine], January 21: Power, heating and water supplies have been disrupted across parts of Kiev following renewed Russian attacks, Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 5,635 high-rise apartment buildings were left without heating after the strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Most of the affected buildings had already sustained damage during a major Russian attack on January 9, he said in a post on Telegram.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia carried out the overnight assault using a mix of missiles and drones. A total of 372 drones, one Zircon anti-ship missile, 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles and 18 ballistic missiles were launched against Ukraine, it said.
Air defences intercepted 342 of the incoming objects, though some strikes hit their targets, the air force said.
The Russian military confirmed it had carried out a large-scale air strike, but said only military targets in Ukraine were hit.
One person was injured in Kiev, police there said.
In addition to damage to energy infrastructure, residential buildings and private vehicles were hit. Several cars caught fire after being struck by falling drone debris.
Water supplies were also disrupted on the left bank of the Dnipro river that flows through Kiev, Klitschko said.
Kiev is facing its most difficult winter since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.
Russia has been systematically targeted Ukraine's energy system, severely weakening the grid and leading to daily power outages lasting several hours.
A series of heavy attacks on the capital earlier this month, combined with sustained sub-zero temperatures, has worsened conditions for Kiev's residents. Authorities have set up emergency shelters where people can warm up, collect water and charge mobile phones.
Source: Qatar Tribune
