Lithuanian energy minister sheltered during mass Kyiv attack

Lithuania’s Energy Minister Lukas Savickas spent the night in a shelter in Kyiv after Russian forces launched a mass attack on the Ukrainian capital with drones and ballistic missiles, LRT reported.

Speaking to LRT Radio on Thursday morning, Savickas said he and the delegation accompanying him had remained in the shelter throughout the night because an air raid alert was in effect. He said the alert was still active, although there were no longer indications of a ballistic missile threat and the remaining danger could come from drones.

At least six people were killed and dozens injured in the overnight Russian attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday.

Savickas travelled to Kyiv on Wednesday for a two-day visit. According to reports, he is due to sign a joint Lithuanian-Ukrainian agreement on sharing experience in protecting energy infrastructure.

During the visit, Savickas met Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada and the parliamentary committee on energy, housing and utilities. Meetings were also scheduled with the Ukrainian Defence Ministry leadership and representatives, as well as the Kyiv Regional Military Administration.

The discussions with Ukrainian energy and other government officials cover support for Ukraine’s energy sector, the resilience of energy infrastructure and further Lithuanian-Ukrainian cooperation. On Thursday, the Lithuanian delegation is scheduled to visit Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities and meet representatives of energy companies and institutions.