Kremlin Declares 'State of War' As Russia Targets Ukrainian Power Facilities, Including Key Hydroelectric Plan

Nearly 90 missiles and over 60 Iranian-designed kamikaze drones were fired by Russia, causing damage to "dozens" of energy facilities, including power stations, in what Ukrainian officials described as an attempt to cripple the country's electricity and heating network, as reported by Hindustan Times.

At least three people were killed and more than 20 injured, according to the interior ministry and local officials. In an interview to a pro-Kremlin newspaper published Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We are in a state of war."

Russia Launches Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukraine

This admission marks an escalation in official language used to describe the conflict, which the Kremlin initially referred to as a "special military operation." Peskov explained, "Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraine's side, for us it already became a war," reported AFP.

Moscow is often accused of direct participation in the conflict by supplying Ukraine with weapons. The Russian attacks struck at least nine regions -- from Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia near the front lines to Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, hundreds of kilometres away from the fighting.

President Zelensky Urges Western Support

Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-run power grid, reported that the recent Russian attack on Ukraine's energy system was the most severe on record, causing damage to dozens of power facilities, including thermal and hydroelectric plants, major power lines, and regional grids. Emergency blackouts were implemented in seven regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the targeting of critical infrastructure by Russian forces, highlighting power plants, energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, residential buildings, and even a trolleybus as key targets. He reiterated the need for Western support and criticized political indecision that he believes is costing Ukrainian lives, as per AFP reports.

Ukraine faces shortages of air defences and ammunition due to delays in a vital $60-billion military aid package held up in the US Congress. Zelensky stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the importance of protecting people, infrastructure, homes, and dams from further attacks.

Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 37 of the 88 missiles fired overnight and 55 of 63 drones. The strikes left around 700,000 consumers without electricity in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Energy minister German Galushchenko stated that the goal of the attacks was to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system, similar to last year's winter attacks by Russia. Despite temporary blackouts in some regions, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal assured that the situation in the energy sector is under control, and there is no need for countrywide blackouts.

Emergency electricity assistance was provided from Romania, Slovakia, and Poland, according to Galushchenko.

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Hit in Russian Attack

One of the power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Europe's largest nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine, was severed by a strike on Friday, as stated by Energy Minister Galushchenko. The facility, Europe's largest nuclear energy site, which was seized by Russian troops in the first days of the war, is powered by Ukrainian lines.

The atomic energy operator Energoatom expressed concern, stating that this situation poses an extremely dangerous risk of sparking an emergency. The plant has experienced multiple blackouts since the beginning of the war, relying on emergency diesel generators and safety systems. Energoatom warned that in case of their failure, there would be a threat of a nuclear and radiation accident, reported AFP.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, responsible for monitoring the situation at the site, confirmed that a backup power line was still operational. Additionally, officials reported that a Russian missile struck a trolleybus at the Dnipro hydroelectric station. Social media images depicted a fire engulfing the dam and the burnt remains of the vehicle.

In Russia, the governor of the region along the border with Ukraine reported that a strike on Friday in Russia's Belgorod resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to others. Kyiv has intensified attacks in this region. Furthermore, Moscow's FSB security service announced the arrest of seven pro-Ukrainian partisans in the capital, as part of a series of similar cases.