Russia launched nearly 120 missiles and drones against Ukraine’s energy network

“New massive Russian strike. We are in the middle of winter and the Russian objective remains the same: our energy sector”wrote the Ukrainian president on social networks on Wednesday January 15, following the attack by Russia which fired “more than 40 missiles” et “more than 70 drones”, selon Volodymyr Zelensky. “At least 30” missiles were destroyed, he added.

“Among the targets are gas infrastructure and energy installations which ensure normal life for the population”denounced Mr. Zelensky on social networks. This new attack « massive » caused power cuts in several regions of Ukraine during President Zelensky’s visit to Poland.

Moscow used 43 ballistic and cruise missiles and 74 combat drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Thirty missiles and 47 drones were shot down, according to this source.

“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”for its part declared the Russian army in a press release.

The Russian strikes come the day after an air attack claimed by Ukraine as “the most important” on Russian soil since the start of the war. This Ukrainian attack targeted oil refineries and fuel depots, as well as chemical factories manufacturing, according to kyiv, components for the Russian military sector. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, six American ATACMS missiles and six British Storm Shadow missiles were involved.

Western promises “not yet achieved”

Of the “essential infrastructure” in western Ukraine were affected, Ukrainian authorities announced. Energy targets were targeted in particular in the regions of Kharkiv (East), Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk (West).

“Thanks to our air defense (…) we are able to maintain the work of our air system”greeted Volodymyr Zelensky, urging kyiv’s Western allies to “strengthen the air shield” Ukrainian and to keep their promises – which “have not yet been fully implemented”.

The Ukrainian president also urged his Western partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense weapons, stressing that “Promises have been made, but not yet fully realized.”

“We are grateful to everyone who helps our country, a conclu Volodymyr Zelenskybut it’s not just about our country. At the moment, the defense of Ukraine proves or not that Europe and the democratic world as a whole are capable of stopping wars reliably and for a long time. »

Volodymyr Zelensky en Pologne

Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Warsaw this morning, according to the online media European Truth. “The Prime Minister [polonais]Donald Tusk, will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw on Wednesday »announced the Polish government.

According to Polish media, Zelensky’s talks in Warsaw will focus on resolving a decades-old dispute over World War II massacres of Poles in the Volhynia region, now in the Western Ukraine. Mr. Tusk, whose ruling pro-European Union (EU) alliance faces May’s presidential election, is under pressure from nationalists demanding the exhumation of the skeletons of massacre victims.

Poland, a member of the EU and NATO, remains one of kyiv’s main allies against Russia, with Warsaw maintaining its unwavering support despite the historical differences between the two neighboring countries. It took off its fighter jets during the Russian missile attack which hit western regions of Ukraine, including Lviv, which borders Ukraine.

Emergency power outages lasting several hours

Russia has been pounding its neighbor’s power grid and other infrastructure since its invasion of Ukraine began three years ago, regularly causing widespread power outages across the country.

“The enemy continues to terrorize Ukrainians”German Galushchenko wrote on Facebook on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Ukraine’s energy minister urged residents to stay in shelters during the ongoing threat and follow official updates. The public energy company Ukrenergo also reported emergency power cuts for several hours in seven Ukrainian regions.

Russia has promised a systematic response to any Western missile strike on its territory, and has threatened to target the center of kyiv or even to use its new experimental Orechnik hypersonic missile.