Zelensky Blames Blackout In Ukraine On Targeted Russian Attacks

EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia aims to “deprive people of light and heat” by causing power cuts across eastern Ukraine in revenge for a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

The blackouts have reportedly affected around nine million people in eastern regions including Kharkiv and Donetsk.

It comes after Ukraine said it had retaken over 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles) during a rapid counter-offensive in the east.

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure left much of his city without power or water.

He called it a vile and cynical attempt at revenge for the Ukrainian army’s recent successes.

Terekhov and the region’s governor called for calm, saying the emergency services were working to repair damage and put out fires.

The governor of the neighbouring Sumy region said over 130 settlements in one district alone were without power.

Similar problems have been reported in Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions.

In a defiant post on social media after the power cuts, President Zelensky said standing up to Russia was more important to Ukraine than suffering cold, hunger, darkness or thirst.