DIRECT. War in Ukraine: the United States will release funds to support the energy system

The essential

• Ukraine fears further large-scale attacks this week, like those that plunged the country into darkness last Wednesday.

• Yesterday, due to the rapidly growing deficit of the energy system, emergency shutdowns were applied throughout Ukraine.

• NATO foreign ministers meet today in Bucharest, Romania.

• Olena Zelenska, from London, claimed that "violence and sexual crimes" were part of the Russian "arsenal" in their war of invasion.

06:25

American aid for energy

The United States is expected to announce during the day "substantial" financial aid to Ukraine to help it cope with the damage caused by Russia to its energy infrastructure.

It is the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken who will give the details in Bucharest.

The Biden administration has already budgeted $1.1 billion in energy aid to the country as well as to its neighbor Moldova.

06:20

Dnipro under fire

The city of Dnipro was struck by Russian forces last night, according to Valentyn Reznichenko, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

“Several rockets were launched at the city last night.

They were aimed at a private company.

Manufacturing facilities were destroyed.

A fire broke out,” he said. 

Dnipro is often the target of Russian missiles and other long-range weapons.

On Saturday, at least 13 people were injured in an attack.

06:15

The heating is back on

After the Russian bombardment of Ukrainian infrastructure, 316 heat supply installations were repaired, or 53.3% of the damaged installations, according to the Ukrainian operator Naftogaz.

99.7% of boiler houses in Ukraine have already started working, Naftogaz needs to ensure their stable operation.   

The most difficult situation is observed in the liberated territories in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.

06:10

The pessimistic NATO chief

Yesterday, ahead of NATO's two-day foreign ministers' meeting in Bucharest, Romania, Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned: "Russia is to be expected to continue its attacks against the Ukrainian electricity and gas network".

He also believes that "more needs to be done to provide support in spare parts and ammunition, as well as to train Ukrainian soldiers", in particular for anti-aircraft defence. 

06:05

Ukraine damages one of its bridges

Ukrainian armed forces hit a railway bridge near the village of Starobohdanivka in Zaporizhia Oblast.

It was, they claim, used by Russian forces to transport weapons and military equipment.

06:00

Hi there !

Welcome to this live broadcast on the 279th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.