Russia knocks out power in Ukraine and Moldova as it seeks to weaponize winter

Russia rained down volleys of missiles across Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, and other cities as Moscow pursued its campaign to knock out Ukraine's power and heat ahead of the looming winter.

Authorities reported power outages across the country as well as in neighbouring Moldova, where officials said at least half the country lost power.

Multiple regions reported attacks in quick succession, suggesting a barrage of strikes. In several regions, authorities reported strikes on critical infrastructure. The Kyiv city administration said that three people were dead and three wounded in the capital after a Russian strike hit a two-storey building.

The entire Kyiv region is now without electricity, according to Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said water supplies were knocked out for the entire city.

Power units of three Ukrainian nuclear power plants were switched off after the strikes, but nuclear power operator Energoatom said radiation levels at all nuclear sites in the country were normal.

State-owned grid operator Ukrenergo said the repair work would begin when the air raid sirens stop.

Since October, Russia has repeatedly targeted electric power and heating infrastructure. Moscow says the aim is to reduce Ukraine's ability to fight; Kyiv says the intentional strikes on civilian infrastructure constitute a war crime.

WATCH | Shelling hits dangerously close to Ukraine nuclear plant:

In an overnight video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced special "invincibility centres" would be set up around Ukraine to provide electricity, heat, water, internet, mobile phone connections and a pharmacy, free of charge and around the clock.

Russian attacks have knocked out power for long periods for up to 10 million consumers at a time.

"If massive Russian strikes happen again and it's clear power will not be restored for hours, the 'invincibility centres' will go into action with all key services," Zelenskyy said.

Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities follow a series of battlefield setbacks that have included a retreat from the southern city of Kherson to the east bank of the Dnipro River that bisects the country.

Russia has been striking Ukraine with expensive long-range cruise missiles and with cheap Iranian-made drones.  Britain's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday there had been no public reports of Russia using Iranian one-way attack drones since around Nov. 17, which it said was a sign Moscow might be running out of them, and would try to get more.

Battles raged in the east, where Russia is pressing an offensive along a stretch of front line west of the city of Donetsk, which has been held by its proxies since 2014. The Donetsk region was the scene of fierce attacks and constant shelling over the past 24 hours, Zelenskyy said.