Russia launches “largest airstrike” against Ukraine since invasion began
image Source, Getty Images
- Author, Francesca Gillette and Will Vernon
- Author’s title, bbcnews
Russia on Monday launched its biggest airstrike on Ukraine since the war began, according to the head of the Ukrainian air force.
At least six people were killed and dozens injured as Russian forces launched hundreds of missiles and drones across more than half of Ukraine.
The attack targeted energy infrastructure, which led to Widespread blackouts.The government declared a national alert for air raids and ordered the population to protect themselves in shelters.
Russia confirmed it had launched attacks against that infrastructure, one of the strategies it uses in the war, and said it had achieved all its objectives.
Bombardment by missiles and drones began across the country early Monday and continued until morning.
According to Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Russia launched 127 missiles and 109 attack drones. Of these, Ukraine shot down 102 missiles and 99 dronesReported on Telegram.
Oleshchuk called the joint attack “the largest air strike”.
Last December, the Russian military launched 158 missiles and drones against Ukraine, the most intense bombardment of the war between the two countries so far.
While the main target of this attack was Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Moscow is also trying to deplete reserves of another key resource for Ukraine: morale.
Ukrainians have been very excited in recent weeks about the recent successful incursion of their troops into Russian territoryIn the Kursk region.
Russia’s attack on Monday reminded that it has the ability to bring ordinary Ukrainians back to reality in one fell swoop. It was a warning message to them and to politicians in Western capitals. The Kremlin still has the upper hand in this war and can inflict pain on the Ukrainian population whenever it wishes.
According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmahal, Russian bombing took place in about 15 regions of Ukraine and they used drones, cruise missiles and supersonic missiles.
“There have been injuries and deaths,” Schmihl said on the social media app Telegram.
image Source, The EPA
Widespread blackouts
The attacks caused severe damage to infrastructure, with power outages reported in several cities, including Kiev.And with interruptions to water supplies. One of the few remaining power plants, a hydroelectric plant north of Kiev, was one of the final targets. Damage is still being assessed.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the massive invasion began from a neighboring country in February 2022. In recent months, it has resumed its campaign of attacks against the power grid, causing frequent blackouts across the country.
In June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said half of his country’s power generation capacity had been destroyed since Russia began attacking its energy facilities in late March.
To overcome the difficulties, Ukraine started buying energy from the EU. However, this is not enough and so, on most days, the country conducts planned national blackouts to protect critical facilities such as hospitals and military sites.
image Source, The EPA
boosting morale
Until a few weeks ago, 2024 was not a year of good news on the battlefield for KievRussia continues to make gains in the eastern Donbass region. There were problems with the mobilisation of troops and it was reported that Ukraine was running out of people to fight.
But after their surprise raid in the Kursk region, videos of soldiers hoisting the Ukrainian flag over captured Russian villages gave a much-needed boost to Ukrainian morale.,
Moreover, they showed the West that Kiev is still capable of carrying out complex, bold and, most importantly, successful attacks.
On Monday, President Zelensky called on his Western allies, including the United Kingdom, the United States and France, to change their rules and allow Ukraine to use its weapons to attack inside Russia.
Currently, Ukraine is authorized to use some Western weapons to attack targets inside Russia, but not long-range weapons.
Zelensky also noted that if European air forces work together with Ukraine’s air defense “we can do a lot more to protect lives”.
Also on Monday, Ukraine attempted to attack an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, a city northeast of Moscow, according to the regional governor. No casualties or damage were reported.
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