US has urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries

Washington urged Kyiv to cease drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, cautioning that the attacks risk driving up global oil prices, the FT reported Friday.

Despite sanctions, Russia remains one of the world's most important energy exporters, and the White House is concerned that such strikes could result in retaliatory attacks on Western energy infrastructure, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

It comes as Kharkiv faced a series of power outages Friday after Russian missile strikes appeared to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Meantime, the International Monetary Fund approved a third review of Ukraine's $15.6 billion loan program, allowing the embattled country to draw budget support of $880 million.

Ukraine's capital Kyiv experienced one of the largest Russian strikes on the city in weeks on Thursday, with city officials stating that at least 13 people were injured in a drone and missile attack.

Ukraine's Kharkiv hit by power outages after Russian missile strikes

Kharkiv faced several of power outages Friday after Russian missile strikes appeared to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

In a series of posts on Telegram, Terekhov said there were around 15 blasts overnight, which also caused disruption to water supplies and transport systems. He did not report any casualties.

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