KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities overnight. This comes just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned upcoming talks with the U.S. about ending the ongoing war.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported the assault on Facebook, stating the attack was massive. At least 10 people, including a child, were injured.
Halushchenko voiced concerns that Russia aims to harm everyday Ukrainians by targeting essential energy and gas facilities. He emphasized that these strikes are intended to deprive people of heat and light, causing significant distress.
Throughout the war, Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine’s power grid. These assaults have led to power shortages and disruption of heating and water supplies. Officials have accused Russia of “weaponizing winter” to lower civilian morale.
On Friday, Zelenskyy gained support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan concerning proposals to initiate a ceasefire. This includes a request to stop attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian areas. Zelenskyy has also suggested halting military operations in the Black Sea to ensure safe maritime shipping.
Erdogan echoed the need for an immediate ceasefire during a video call with European leaders, highlighting the importance of building trust between involved parties.
Zelenskyy had shared similar ideas earlier in the week, expressing willingness to collaborate with U.S. President Donald Trump to achieve lasting peace. He has also communicated these proposals to Ukraine’s European allies.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov argued that energy supplies are legitimate military targets, linking them to Ukraine’s military capabilities.
In the recent attacks, Russia launched 67 missiles and 194 drones, mainly targeting gas extraction sites, according to Ukraine’s air force. Ukraine’s defense reported it intercepted 34 missiles and 100 drones. Notably, the Ukrainian forces used French Mirage-2000 warplanes for the first time to counter this assault.
Despite these defenses, not all attacks were successful. Some missiles and drones were either jammed or did not reach their intended targets.
Western air defense systems remain critical for Ukraine, but future U.S. assistance is uncertain under Trump, who has indicated a wish to pressure Zelenskyy into negotiations. This adds a layer of complexity to Ukraine’s situation.
In his recent address, Zelenskyy announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia next week to discuss the conflict with the crown prince, while his team will hold discussions with U.S. officials.
Zelenskyy also welcomed a new European Union initiative aimed at enhancing the continent’s defense capabilities, expressing hope that it could benefit Ukraine’s own defense industry as well.
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Source linkVolodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia, war in Ukraine, Ukraine, energy infrastructure, Ukrainian President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gas production facilities, President Donald Trump
