By Olena Harmash and Dan Peleschuk
(Reuters) -Russia launched a brand new barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, focusing on fuel infrastructure and different power amenities in western areas within the newest strike on the nation’s hobbled energy system because it approaches mid-winter.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned that the Russian forces launched over 40 missiles through the morning assault and used greater than 70 drones in a single day. Ukrainian air defences shot down at the very least 30 missiles, he mentioned.
“Another massive Russian attack. It’s the middle of winter, and the target for the Russians remains unchanged: our energy infrastructure,” Zelenskiy mentioned in a social media submit on X platform.
“Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people.”
The capital Kyiv additionally got here underneath assault, with a whole bunch of residents taking shelter in underground metro stations throughout the capital, sleeping on yoga mats and sitting on folded chairs with their pets.
The governor of Ukraine’s western Lviv area mentioned two power amenities, within the Drohobych and Stryi districts, had been broken. In neighbouring Ivano-Frankivsk, the governor mentioned air defences had been warding off Russian assaults on amenities.
Each mentioned no accidents had been reported.
Ukrainians use primarily for heating houses and cooking. The nation makes use of fuel saved over the summer time months to make use of in winter, when each day manufacturing doesn’t cowl consumption.
Ukraine’s underground fuel storage amenities are positioned within the western a part of the nation, together with within the Stryi space. Their position has grown since Kyiv refused to increase a fuel transit settlement with Russia.
Russia has stepped up its bombardments of Ukraine’s energy sector and different power infrastructure since March 2024, knocking out half of the obtainable producing capability and forcing lengthy, rolling blackouts throughout the nation.
Ukrainian cities, companies, and residents rushed to put in new producing capacities, together with photo voltaic panels, batteries, mills, and different tools to extend their power independence and survive the vital chilly months.
Zelenskiy, who visits neighbouring Poland on Wednesday, reiterated his pleas to Kyiv’s Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence.
“We have also discussed licenses for the production of air defence systems and missiles for them, which could serve as one of the effective security guarantees for Ukraine. This is both realistic and necessary to implement.”
