Ukraine Latest: Emergency Power Cuts Extended to Six Regions

Ukraine extended emergency power cuts to six regions in the wake of Russian attacks against critical infrastructure, the national grid operator said.

(Bloomberg) — Ukraine extended emergency power cuts to six regions in the wake of Russian attacks against critical infrastructure, the national grid operator said.

As members of the global elite gather in Davos, Polish President Andrzej Duda said pressure is growing on the German government to give the green light to send German-made Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is set to visit the US and Canada after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government said it would send tanks and other hardware to Ukraine. 

The death toll in a missile strike on an apartment building in the city of Dnipro on Saturday rose to 41, including four children, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office. Another 79 people were injured, he said on Telegram. 

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On the Ground

Ukrainian troops repelled attacks near more than 20 settlements, including Soledar and Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region over the past day, the General Staff said on Facebook. According to the statement, Russian forces conducted two missile and seven air strikes, as well as more than 70 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems over the past day. Six Russian missile carriers capable of launching a total of 44 Kalibr missiles are deployed in the Black sea, Ukrainian military spokeswoman Natalia Humenyuk said on television. 

(All times CET)

Ukraine Extends Power Cuts to Six Regions, Ukrenergo Says (9:55 a.m.)

Ukraine extended emergency power cuts to six regions as they surpass consumption limits amid a continuing electricity deficit in the country, Ukrenergo said on Telegram.

The significant shortfall has been caused by missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure as well as windy weather, and it’s especially acute in morning and evening peak hours, the grid operator said. 

Poland Sees Potential New Chapter (9:25 a.m.)

Poland has pledged to supply about 14 Leopard battle tanks and the country is talking to “a few allies” to ensure additional vehicles, Duda said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. 

Shipping them has the potential to start “a new chapter” of the war, he said. Poland already supplied more than 260 of its Soviet-model battle tanks last year, he said.

Ukraine Seeks to Add Repaired Nuclear Generator to Grid Next Month (7:44 a.m.)

Ukrainian nuclear power operator Energoatom plans to turn on one nuclear generating block early next month, Interfax reported, citing the company’s president, Petro Kotin. It was put into repair in early January and is now being loaded with fuel, Kotin said. After Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia plant with its six generators, which are currently idle, Ukraine controls nine nuclear power blocks.

Rescue Operations Continue in Dnipro (7:00 a.m.)

The rescue operations in Dnipro after the missile strike on a nine-story apartment building have been going on for more than 63 hours, and 90% of the rubble has been removed, Dnipropetrovsk region Governor Valentyn Reznichenko said on Telegram. 

UK Foreign Secretary Set to Discuss Ukraine in US, Canada (6:49 a.m.)

Foreign Secretary Cleverly is set to address the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington before holding talks with US counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The UK has announced that it will send tanks, artillery and armored vehicles to Ukraine.

 

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