Russian missile and drone attacks have hit thermal and hydro power plants in central and western Ukraine, power grid operator Ukrenergo says in the latest assault on the already damaged power infrastructure.
"During the night, the Russians struck again at energy facilities in a massive and combined attack," Ukrenergo said on Friday on the Telegram messaging app.
"Thermal and hydroelectric power plants in the central and western regions were damaged," it said.
It comes after Ukraine's defence minister asked allies for more air defences at an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, saying almost all effect from Russian strikes in 2024 has been on civilian infrastructure.
Regional officials said Russian forces had attacked infrastructure in the Kamianske district near the city of Dnipro. At least one person was wounded, they added.
Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko also said power facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Cherkasy regions were attacked this morning.
"Electricity generation facilities were targeted by drones and missiles," Gelushchenko said on Facebook.
The Ukrainian military said its air forces had destroyed 58 Russia-launched attack drones overnight from a total of 60, along with 26 of 39 missiles.
"The enemy launched a powerful missile and air strike against the fuel and energy sector of Ukraine, using various types of missiles and attack drones," the commander said.
Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Ukrainian television reported that explosions were heard in Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnytskyi regions and the city of Dnipro as Russian cruise missiles were spotted in Ukrainian air space.
The largest private power firm DTEK said its three thermal power plants were attacked.
"The equipment was severely damaged. After the attack ended, the power engineers promptly started to repair the damage," the company said on Telegram.
"After the attack ended, the power engineers promptly started to repair the damage."
Ukrainian power distributor Yasno said this week DTEK lost about 50 per cent of its capacity after being hit by Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukraine's defence minister has asked allies for more air defences at an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council and says nearly all the effect from Russian strikes this year has been on civilian infrastructure.
Last Friday, Russia carried out its largest air strike on Ukraine's energy system since its invasion in February 2022, damaging power units at a dam and causing blackouts for more than one million people.
Russia has described its recent attacks as part of a series of "revenge" strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions.
Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles.
Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said the support of allies on air defences was crucial and that it could save thousands of lives.
"The total explosive power of combined air attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the year exceeds 9 kilotons," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after addressing participants via video link.
"Only 3 per cent of those Russian missiles, drones and guided bombs hit military targets while 97 per cent struck civilian infrastructure," he wrote.
Reuters was unable to verify that figure.
Russia denies targeting civilians although the war that began with its invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions and destroyed towns and cities.
Russia has stepped up its air strikes on Ukraine in March.
Last week alone, it has used almost 190 missiles, 140 attack drones and 700 guided bombs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said earlier.
