Power outages in Ukraine as Russia intensifies strikes on energy targets
Hundreds of thousands of people in central and western Ukraine have woken up to power outages and periodic bursts of gunfire, as Ukrainian air defences tried to shoot down drones and incoming missiles.
Russia has intensified its strikes on power stations, water supply systems and other key infrastructure across the country, the latest phase of the war as it nears the eight-month mark.
Ukraine's air force said in a statement on Saturday that Russia had launched "a massive missile attack" targeting "critical infrastructure", hours after air raid sirens blared across the country.
It said that it had downed 18 out of 33 cruise missiles launched from air and sea.
"Several rockets" targeting the capital Kyiv were shot down on Saturday morning, mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging service.
Similar reports were made by the governors of six western and central provinces, as well as the southern Odesa region on the Black Sea.
Over the past two weeks, Moscow has increased its attacks on key civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.
About 40% of the country's electric power system has been severely damaged, officials said.
Mr Zelensky said earlier in the week that 30% of Ukraine's power stations have been destroyed since 10 October.
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