Russia launched nearly 120 missiles and drones against the Ukrainian energy network on Wednesday.
Strikes in response to a “massive attack” launched by old kyiv.
Moscow has regularly shelled its neighbor’s electricity network since the start of its invasion three years ago.
Follow the full coverage
Ukraine: almost three years of war
Moscow has promised a systematic response. And put his warning into action this Wednesday, January 15. In response to the attack “the most massive” which targeted military and industrial installations in several regions of Russia on Tuesday, the Russian army launched nearly 120 missiles and drones against the Ukrainian energy network. New strikes which put the entire territory on alert at first light and caused power cuts in several regions of Ukraine.
Power outages lasting several hours
“In the middle of winter, the Russians’ target remains unchanged: our energy sector”denounced Volodymyr Zelensky, citing among the targets “gas infrastructure and energy installations which ensure normal life for the population”. Vladimir Putin’s army has in fact shelled its neighbor’s electricity network since the start of its invasion three years ago, regularly causing large power outages across the country. On Wednesday morning, Moscow used 43 ballistic and cruise missiles and 74 combat drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
In the Lviv region, “two critical infrastructure sites were hit in the Drogobych and Stryi districts“, indicated the governor of the region. One of the missiles fell on a field, without exploding, he added. In the neighboring region of Ivano-Frankivsk, the attack targeted “critical infrastructure sites” (new window), without causing any casualties, indicated the governor of this territory. In total, seven Ukrainian regions were victims of several hours of emergency power cuts, according to the national electricity operator Ukrenergo. Damage that could have been even more extensive. The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down 30 missiles and 47 drones from its skies.
-
Read also
-Ukraine: what you need to know about the “Orechnik” hypersonic missile that Putin threatens to use on kyiv
An attack immediately claimed by Moscow. “This morning, the armed forces launched a grouped attack with high-precision weapons and attack drones on critical gas and energy infrastructure that supports Ukraine’s military-industrial complex”the Russian army said in a statement. It must be said that there was little doubt, these strikes occurring the day after an air attack claimed by Ukraine as “the most important” on Russian soil since the start of the war.
Launched in particular using Western equipment, this Ukrainian attack targeted oil refineries and fuel depots, as well as chemical factories which would produce components for the Russian military sector. In retaliation, Moscow threatened to target central kyiv. Or even to use its new experimental hypersonic missile Orechnik.
Belgium
