Massive attack on Ukraine’s power grid as Russian forces advance in east and south; Joe Biden to visit Poland
- Russian strikes hit power facilities across Ukraine, in what authorities say is deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure
- US President Joe Biden has announced that he will travel to Poland to show suppport for Kyiv ahead of first anniversary of war
Russian missiles hit power facilities across Ukraine on Friday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky returned from a tour of Western capitals. Ukrainian officials also said a long-awaited Russian offensive was under way in the east.
Ukraine’s air force said 61 of 71 Russian missiles had been shot down. But Energy Minister German Galushchenko said Russia had hit power facilities in six regions with missiles and drones, causing blackouts across most of Ukraine.
In Washington, the White House said President Joe Biden would travel to Poland from February 20-22 to show support for Kyiv ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24 and make clear additional security help and aid will be coming from the United States.
“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.
International Monetary Fund staff will meet with Ukrainian officials in Warsaw next week, a source familiar with the plans said on Friday, as Ukraine presses for a multibillion-dollar borrowing programme to cover its funding needs due to Russia’s war.
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Ukraine’s Zelensky presses UK and France for fighter jets on Europe trip
Global ratings agency Moody’s on Friday downgraded Ukraine’s sovereign rating to Ca as it expects the war with Russia to create long-lasting challenges for the country. Moody’s website said the rating means debt obligations are “likely in, or very near, default.”