Broadcasting News Corporation : The Ukrainian government on Thursday ordered restrictions on nationwide electricity use following a series of Russian missile and drone attacks that struck one-third of the country’s power plants. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on Wednesday night three energy facilities were destroyed in the last day alone. “We assume that Russian terror will be directed at energy facilities until, with the help of partners, we are able to shoot down 100% of enemy missiles and drones,” he said. “Please limit your electricity consumption.” Under the new energy-reducing program, power supply across Ukraine is restricted between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.. “We see a voluntary decrease. But when it is not enough, we are forced to bring in forced shutdowns,” energy Minister Herman Halushchenko explained during a television appearance. With the help of the restrictions, the government hopes to see a 20% reduction in energy use. As Ukrainian troops press toward Kherson, the only regional capital captured by Russia since the invasion on Feb. 24, some areas are already seeing even more severe restrictions. The northeast Sumy region, which borders Russia, recently announced plans to forgo water, electricity, and transportation for an entire day while engineers worked to repair the grid. “We need time to restore power plants, we need respite from our consumers,” said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of grid operator of the Ukrenergo transmission system. News of Ukraine’s energy limits came shortly after a Russian official encouraged Moscow’s forces to continue targeting Ukraine’s power supply. “The absence of electricity means the absence of water, the absence of refrigerators, the absence of sewer,” Andrey Gurulyov, a deputy in the State Duma [council], said during an appearance on Russian state television. “These strikes that are being carried out today, I believe they are extremely effective, our strategic operation of destroying critical infrastructure is being carried out in a classic manner,” he explained. When asked how targeting Ukrainian civilians would serve Moscow’s military goals, Gurulyov clarified that targeting the nation’s ability to survive was the quickest way to victory. “How does one live in a country where nothing works? If there are no jobs, who will pay any one?” he insisted. Konstantin Dolgov, a senator in Russia’s upper house and former commissioner for human rights, said he “totally supports” Gurulyov’s position, while host Olga Skabeeva noted that Russia was “by no means gloating.” “We love everyone,” Skabeeva said. “[Ukrainians] want to destroy us, we’re forced to react…and we will react.” Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis shared a clip of the panel on Twitter Wednesday night. Within hours, the discussion had been viewed over 400,000 times. “Russian lawmakers Andrey Gurulyov and Konstantin Dolgov advocate freezing, starving the Ukrainian civilian population, forcing them into exile by making their survival otherwise impossible,” Davis wrote. “State TV host Olga Skabeeva disingenuously claims that Russia simply has no other choice.” Social media commenters were similarly appalled by the trio’s stance. “Grotesque, absolutely grotesque!” wrote one user. “Disgusting,” another replied. With Post wires. NEWS COLLECTED FROM NEW YORK POST.