November 15, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

Multiple Russian cruise missiles targeted power infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions Tuesday, leaving the supply of electricity in a critical condition, according to senior Ukrainian officials. 

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on Telegram that "Russian terrorists have conducted another planned attack on energy infrastructure facilities. The situation is critical."

DTEK — a power supplier in the Kyiv region — said that "due to the missile attacks from the Russian Federation, by the order of NPC Ukrenergo [the state power company], we are forced to start emergency power outages. This is a necessary step to balance the power system and avoid equipment failures."

"Please continue to consume electricity moderately!" DTEK said.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko also said that power engineers are beginning emergency power outages in the capital.

He said that at least half of consumers have no electricity.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Twitter that "Russian terrorists have once again shown their so-called willingness to negotiate today. Another massive missile attack during #G20Summit. Residential buildings were hit. They are trying to destroy energy infrastructure."

Two missile hits have been reported by the Khmelnytskyi regional military administration in western Ukraine, where local authorities said there was no electricity supply in part of the region.

Earlier power interruptions were also reported in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

In central Ukraine, Serhiy Borzov, governor of the Vinnytsia region, said there had been "a hit to the critical infrastructure facility."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Tuesday's Russian attacks across shows what Russia thinks about any possible peace negotiations.

"Russian missiles are killing people and ruining infrastructure across Ukraine right now," Kuleba said on Twitter.

Amid reports of Russian missile strikes in multiple locations across Ukraine, Kuleba added: "This is what Russia has to say on the issue of peace talks. Stop proposing Ukraine to accept Russian ultimatums! This terror can only be stopped with the strength of our weapons & principles."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnky earlier Tuesday outlined a 10-point peace plan to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a video speech to G20 leaders in Bali, Indonesia.

Amid a barrage of Russian missile attacks against Ukraine Tuesday, at least seven cities have been struck. This wave of missile attacks on areas across Ukraine is the first this month, after several devastating rounds in October.

Kryvyi Rih

"Few missile strikes. Stay in shelters," Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih city military administration in south-central Ukraine, said briefly on Telegram.

Rivne

At the other end of the country, in the north-west, the city of Rivne was also hit.

"All relevant services are on site. we are working. For now no casualties," said Vitalii Koval, head of the Rivne region military administration.

Sumy

In the northern region of Sumy, which borders Russia, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the head of the regional military administration, said that "due to enemy attacks in Sumy city and the region, emergency power outages have been imposed."

Poltava

In the central region of Poltava, Dmytro Lenin, head of the military administration, said there had been a strike in the Kremenchuk district but gave no further details.

Kharkiv

In the northeast of Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that infrastructure has been hit by Russian missiles.

"Critical infrastructure facility was hit. There is no information about casualties at this time. Because of the damage to the facility there are problems with power supply," he said on Telegram. "Ground electric transport and subway have been suspended. Power engineers and utility workers are doing everything to normalize life in Kharkiv as soon as possible."

Kyiv

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said that in Kyiv, "two hits of Russian missiles were detected. Enemy weapons hit residential buildings. Rescuers and doctors are already working on the spot." 

He said several missiles were destroyed by air defense forces.

Other explosions

Air defense was also said to be working in the city of Lviv after officials warned of missile attacks and asked residents to stay in shelters. It's unclear whether explosions in Lviv were missile impacts or the work of air defenses.

The Dutch foreign minister, sheltering from a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, told CNN that it was important to pay attention to “what Russia does, not what it says.”

Wopke Hoekstra arrived Tuesday morning for a meeting with Ukrainian officials. The Tuesday missile attack, he said, shows again Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s willingness to resort to criminal methods."

He said of the missile attack: “If anything, this is only an enormous motivator to stay standing shoulder to shoulder.”

A Ukrainian official in the southern city of Kryvyi Rih has warned residents that more missiles are expected.

A CNN team in the city reported hearing outgoing launches. 

In the northeast of Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that infrastructure has been hit by Russian missiles.

"Critical infrastructure facility was hit. There is no information about casualties at this time. Because of the damage to the facility there are problems with power supply."

Over the past few weeks, Russian missiles have targeted Ukraine's electricity and water infrastructure.

There have been several explosions in the city of Lviv in western Ukraine, according to reports from the city.

It's unclear whether they were missile impacts or the work of air defenses.

Maksym Kozatsky, head of Lviv region military administration, said on Telegram: "Everyone please stay in shelters. Air defense is working."

The mayor's office also confirmed explosions.\

Air raid warnings have sounded across Ukraine amid an expected barrage of Russian missiles. 

In the capital, Kyiv, the city military administration said two explosions had been heard and instructed residents to remain in shelters.

It said four missiles had been shot down.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, "Attack on the capital. According to preliminary information, two residential buildings were hit in Pecherskyi [residential] district. Several missiles were shot down by air defense over Kyiv city. Medics and rescuers at the site of the hits. More detailed information later."

Klitschko said there had been a third strike. "Another hit in Pechersk district of Kyiv city. A high-rise building," he said.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said that in Kyiv, "two hits of Russian missiles were detected. Enemy weapons hit residential buildings. Rescuers and doctors are already working on the spot." 

He said several missiles were destroyed by air defense forces.

Vitalii Kim, head of the regional military administration in Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, warned of a third wave of missiles.

In central Ukraine, Dmytro Lunin, head of the Poltava region military administration, said that air defenses were working in Myrhorod community.

"Please stay in shelters," Lunin said on Telegram.

Air defenses are operating in several regions throughout Ukraine.

The US Embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert Tuesday warning “of a continued heightened threat of missile attacks across Ukraine, including Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.”

“The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to observe air alarms, shelter appropriately, follow guidance from local authorities, and refer to additional safety information” about how to shelter from a missile attack, the alert advised.

The State Department still urges citizens not to travel to Ukraine and to depart as soon as possible.