Russian barrage causes blackouts in Ukraine as Zelenskyy seeks Trump’s help

A residential building is seen on fire after a Russian strike in Nizhyn, Chernihiv region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia has battered Ukraine’s energy facilities with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in its latest heavy bombardment of the country’s power grid, authorities said.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to ask US President Donald Trump at a White House meeting for more American-made air defences and long-range missiles.