MOSCOW/KYIV - Russia will continue its special military operation in Ukraine even if the Western countries step up their military presence there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"We must take measures, stand firm and continue the special military operation," Dmitry Peskov said when commenting on the question of the West's potential plans to allow Ukraine to conduct strikes on Russia's territory from local media.

READ MORE: Russia says NATO conducting nuclear strike drills near its border

"There are hotheads in Western countries who are making absolutely irresponsible provocative statements," the Russian presidential spokesman said, adding that Russia considers these attempts in some Western countries as hostile actions.

Russia's state-run energy company Ukrenergo on Tuesday said the country’s attacks have destroyed more than 8 GW or about 40 percent of Ukraine's power generation capacity

Earlier, some reports said that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg proposed that allies reconsider the issue of whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike military targets on Russian soil using Western weapons.  

Meanwhile, Russia's state-run energy company Ukrenergo on Tuesday said the country’s attacks have destroyed more than 8 GW or about 40 percent of Ukraine's power generation capacity.

ALSO READ: Presidents of Uzbekistan, Russia meet on boosting cooperation

All Ukrainian thermal power plants (TPP) have been either destroyed or damaged by the air strikes, said Yuriy Boyko, a member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo, in a Telegram post.

The TPPs produce about 5 percent of the country's electricity, Boyko noted.

Two hydroelectric power plants also have been put out of operation due to the attacks, he added.

By winter, Ukraine is unlikely to manage to fully restore its electricity production capacity, Boyko stressed.

READ MORE: Putin ready for talks with Ukraine based on current 'ground situation'

Ukraine's power import capacity from the European Union stands at 1.7 GW.

Since March 22, Russia carried out five missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's power generation and transmission infrastructure.