Infrastructure attack missiles such as Russia and Kiu attack the airspace of Moldova | Reuters

KYIV (Reuters) – Russian missile strikes in Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, on Friday damaged energy infrastructure and caused emergency power cuts across the country.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 71 cruise missiles, shooting down 61 of them. Local authorities said explosions erupted across the country, including in the capital Kyiv.

Zaporozhye in the southeast was hit by at least 17 missiles in an hour. Local officials said it was the deadliest attack since the attack began in February last year.

Power stations and transmission facilities in the east, south and west were intermittently hit by drones and missiles last night, state power company Ukruenergo said.

No deaths have been reported so far, but the governor of the northeastern province of Kharkiv said eight people were injured.

A Ukrainian military commander said two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from the Black Sea, flew over Moldova and NATO member Romania, and landed in Ukraine.

At least three explosions have occurred in and around the capital Kyiv. Shrapnel from the missile damaged homes, cars and parts of the capital’s power grid.

“These missiles are a challenge to NATO and collective security. They are acts of terrorism that can and must be stopped,” Zelensky said in a video posted on Telegram.

“Russia is attacking Ukrainian cities overnight and into the morning,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Podryak said in a tweet, calling for a quick decision on the supply of long-range missiles and fighter jets to Ukraine.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense said the missile flew over Moldovan airspace about 35 kilometers northeast of the border. Moldova, on the other hand, called in the Russian ambassador after confirming that the missile had violated its airspace.