Russia pounds Ukraine energy facilities in major attack

File photo of Ukrainian police officer taking cover after an strike.
Ukraine calls for urgent delivery of air defence systems as Russia again targets its energy system. -AP

Russia has launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy facilities, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko says.

"The enemy continues its terror. Once again, the energy sector across Ukraine is under massive attack," Galushchenko wrote in a post on Facebook.

Ukraine's energy system has already suffered 11 Russian attack waves this year, which have caused widespread damage and lengthy power cuts all over the country.

Friday's attack prompted additional restrictions on power usage for consumers, according to the national grid operator Ukrenergo.

All of Ukraine was under air raid alarms.

Local authorities reported multiple explosions in the southern city of Odesa and Kyiv regional authorities said air defence systems were operating.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on partners to deliver more air defence systems urgently.

"Russia aims to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems," Sybiha wrote in a post on X.