Russia Targets Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued threats to strike decision-making centres in Kyiv using the country’s new Oreshnik ballistic missile. These comments came hours after Russia launched a widespread attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, described by Putin as retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using US-supplied Atacms missiles.
Widespread Impact of Russian Strikes
The overnight attack saw waves of drones and missiles hit multiple cities across Ukraine, including Odesa, Kharkiv, and Lutsk, leaving over one million people without power. While Kyiv successfully intercepted all missiles targeting the capital, other regions faced severe disruptions. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed emergency power outages, with some areas, such as Lviv and Kherson, left without electricity for days.
Escalating Tensions Amid Harsh Winter
With temperatures dropping and snow already arriving, Ukraine fears further Russian attempts to deplete the country’s energy grid. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is stockpiling missiles for coordinated attacks as winter intensifies. The attack marks the eleventh major assault on Ukraine’s energy system since March.
Zelensky Responds to Escalation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions, describing the use of cluster munitions on civilian and energy infrastructure as a severe escalation. In his nightly address, Zelensky accused Putin of using these strikes to pressure the United States into negotiating on Russian terms.
New Oreshnik Missile Raises Concerns
Putin highlighted the deployment of the Oreshnik missile, which he claimed is impossible to intercept. US officials, however, believe Russia has only a limited number of these experimental weapons, which require significant time to produce. The use of such advanced weaponry underscores the increasing intensity of the conflict.
Ukraine Braces for Continued Struggles
As Ukraine endures another harsh winter and continued attacks, the European Commission and the US have provided €107m worth of equipment aid to help restore power. Ukrainian authorities remain vigilant, implementing emergency measures to protect the energy grid and maintain resilience in the face of escalating Russian aggression.
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