Russia hits energy infrastructure in airstrikes in Ukraine via Reuters

KYIV – Russia hit power infrastructure in northern Ukraine in a nighttime missile and drone attack that sparked a massive fire in the west of the country, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.

Ukraine's military shot down three ballistic missiles and 25 of 26 drones launched in attacks in nine regions across the country, Ukraine's air force commander said.

Regional officials in the northeastern Sumy region on the border with Russia said the power grid was affected, causing power outages in 72 locations and more than 18,500 consumers.

Power workers rushed to repair the damage, district officials said on the Telegram messaging system.

Ukraine's power facilities have come under near-daily bombardment for the past six months as the war continues following Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion.

Ukraine buys electricity from its neighbors in the European Union but it is not enough to cover the electricity. Power outages are often announced during peak evening hours.

An industrial plant was hit in the western region of Ternopil region during the latest bombings, and a fuel storage facility was hit, officials said.

Ukrainian television showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over Ternopil, and regional authorities urged people to stay indoors.

Viktor Ustenko, the deputy head of the Ternopil regional unit, said that more than 90 firefighters participated in the efforts to put out the fire.

“The situation is fully under control,” said Ustenko.

The attack on Kyiv was called off without major damage or casualties, city officials said.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Tuesday's attack. Both sides say they targeted important military facilities and not civilian infrastructure, but many civilians have been killed in the fighting.

Moscow has continued its airstrikes since Ukrainian forces first entered Russia's Kursk region on August 6, and Russian forces have been steadily advancing into eastern parts of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Olena Harmash in Kyiv; Editing by Tikmothy Heritage)