Zelensky thanks Biden for ‘unprecedented’ help to Ukraine as work proceeds on power supply

Apartment buildings without electricity during a power outage after critical civil infrastructure was hit by Russian drone attacks, in Odesa, on Dec 10, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

KYIV - Emergency crews were working to ease power shortages in many parts of Ukraine after Russian attacks, particularly the Black Sea port of Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.

“At this time, it has become possible to partially restore supplies in Odesa and other cities and districts in the region,” he said in his nightly video address.

“We are doing everything to reach the maximum number possible in the conditions that developed after the Russian strikes.”

The Ukrainian president said he had a phone call on Sunday with his US counterpart Joe Biden and thanked him for the “unprecedented” help Washington has provided to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February.

“I thanked for the unprecedented defence and financial assistance that the USA provides to Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said on Telegram. “This not only contributes to success on the battlefield, but also supports the stability of the Ukrainian economy. We also appreciate the help that the USA is providing to restore Ukraine’s energy system.”

Russian forces used Iranian-made drones to hit two energy plants in Odesa on Saturday, knocking out power to about 1.5 million customers - virtually all non-critical infrastructure in and around the port.

Mr Zelensky said Odesa was “among the regions with the most frequent power outages”.

Other areas experiencing “very difficult” conditions with power supplies included the capital Kyiv and Kyiv region and four regions in western Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk region in the centre of the country.

The work on restoring electricity for the general population was constant, Mr Zelensky said.

Since October, Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with large waves of missile and drone strikes.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” to remove what it says is a potential threat against its own security.

Ukraine and its allies accuse Russia of an unprovoked war to grab territory from its pro-Western neighbour. AFP

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.