Russia attacked several power grids across Ukraine on Friday where President Volodymy Zelenskyy returned from a tour of western capitals, reported news agency Reuters quoting officials adding that a long-awaited Russian offensive was underway in the east.
Russian forces fired more than 100 missiles throughout the country and staged 12 air and 20 shelling attacks, said Ukraine’s armed forces in an evening update. 61 cruise missiles were destroyed, the Facebook post added.
According to energy minister German Galushchenko, Russia had hit power grids in six regions with missiles and drones, causing blackouts across most of Ukraine.
As per the report, Zelenskyy met his European allies where he was enthusiastically received but did not secure public promises of the fighter jets he sought.
"London, Paris, Brussels - everywhere I spoke these past few days about how to strengthen our soldiers. There are very important understandings and we received good signals," he said in his nightly video address. "This concerns long-range missiles and tanks and the next level of our cooperation - fighter aircraft."
Biden To Visit Poland
Meanwhile, the White House said that President Joe Biden will travel to Poland from February 20 to 22 to show support for Ukraine ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24 and make clear additional security assistance and aid will be coming from the United States.
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"The president will make it very clear that the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.
Staff from the International Monetary Fund will also meet with Ukrainian officials in Warsaw next week, stated the report citing sources familiar with the plans.