(Updated: )
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russian forces launched a mass strike against various regions of Ukraine overnight on March 7, targeting energy and gas infrastructure across the country, Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said.
At least two people were injured as a result of the attacks after a Russian missile damaged two residential buildings in Poltava Oblast, injuring one adult and one child. No information was immediately available as to the status of their injuries.
Russia has regularly launched missiles targeting various regions of the country. Russian forces have continuously targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure as Russia continues to test Ukrainian resolve in the harsh winter months.
Amid the U.S. pause on sharing intelligence with Kyiv, the New York Times reported on March 5, citing undisclosed U.S. and Ukrainian officials, that the pause affects warnings against Russian drones and missiles striking Ukrainian military and civilian targets.
Russia initially launched a series of missiles around 4 a.m. local time, targeting various regions in the country's far west. A second series of missiles entered Ukrainian airspace around 6 a.m.
Explosions were reported in the western city of Ternopil around 5 a.m. local time, following the first series of attacks, Suspilne reported. Later in the morning, explosions were heard in the front line city of Kharkiv around 6:30 a.m.
Ternopil Oblast Regional Governor Viacheslav Nehoda reported that a critical infrastructure facility in the region had been struck with a Russian missile. Although no injuries were reported, Nehoda added that gas supplies may be interrupted as a result of the attack.
Damage was also reported at a gas pipeline in Poltava Oblast amid the attack. No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage.
Critical infrastructure facilities were also targeted in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, though no damage or casualties were reported, according to Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk.
Russia struck already the sixth facility of the DTEK energy company in Odesa Oblast in the past two and a half weeks, the company said. Critical infrastructure facilities were also targeted in Chernihiv Oblast, with at least one of them suffering damage, according to Governor Viacheslav Chaus.
Air defenses were active in all regions of Ukraine amid the missile threats.
Russia launched at least 67 missiles of various types and 194 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine, the Air Force reported. This included 35 Kh-101/55SM cruise missiles, eight Kalibr cruise missiles, three Iskander-M or KN-23 ballistic missiles, four S-400 missiles, and eight Kh-59/69 aerial missiles.
Ukrainian forces downed 134 aerial targets, including 25 Kh-101/55SM missiles, eight Kalibr missiles, one Kh-59/69 missile, and 100 drones. Ten missiles did not reach their targets, and 86 drones were lost from radars without causing damage, according to the statement.
Ukraine deployed F-16 fighter jets and Mirage 2000 jets to intercept the strike, marking the first confirmed case of Kyiv using the French-provided planes in combat.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
