Russia has unleashed one of its largest missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent months, targeting vital energy infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts. The assault, which began late Monday night and continued into Tuesday morning, involved the deployment of over 200 missiles and drones. The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least five people and injuries to several others across different regions of Ukraine.
This operation marks an escalation in Russia’s ongoing military campaign, focusing on crippling Ukraine’s energy grid as winter approaches. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the attacks, calling them “vile” and accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure to maximize the impact on the population. The strikes affected multiple regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Sumy, leading to disruptions in power and water supplies.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the state-owned power grid operator, Ukrenergo, had to implement emergency power cuts to stabilize the system. He also reiterated the need for Ukraine’s allies to supply advanced long-range weapons, stressing that targeting the sources of missile launches is essential to stop Russia’s ongoing assaults on Ukrainian cities.
In response, U.S. President Joe Biden strongly condemned Russia’s actions, describing them as “outrageous.” He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to prioritizing air defense exports to Ukraine and announced plans to send additional energy equipment to help repair the damaged infrastructure and strengthen Ukraine’s energy grid.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strikes were aimed at critical energy facilities that support Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. Despite Moscow’s claims of avoiding civilian targets, the attacks have caused severe consequences for Ukrainian civilians. Reports indicate that residential buildings and energy facilities were hit in various regions, leaving many without power and essential services.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, where a missile struck a hotel, killing two people and injuring several others. In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, three people died in a separate drone attack. Ukrainian emergency services have been working tirelessly to rescue survivors and restore essential services, but the extent of the damage poses a considerable challenge.
In retaliation, Ukraine’s air defense systems managed to shoot down several missiles and drones, including some targeting the capital, Kyiv. Despite these efforts, the sheer intensity of the Russian barrage overwhelmed the defense systems, allowing some projectiles to reach their targets. Ukrainian officials have also reopened “points of invincibility” across the country, where citizens can find shelter, charge their devices, and access basic services during the blackouts.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in Russia, where Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out drone attacks on residential areas in the central regions of Saratov and Engels, injuring several people. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 22 Ukrainian drones in various regions, reflecting the ongoing tit-for-tat nature of the conflict.
As the conflict continues into its third year, the situation remains dire, with no immediate resolution in sight. The Ukrainian government continues to call for international support, both in military aid and humanitarian assistance, to withstand Russia’s relentless assaults. The broader implications of these recent developments suggest that the conflict could intensify further, potentially drawing in neighboring countries and raising the stakes for all parties involved.
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license and was created by National Police of Ukraine.
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