Ukraine faced a harrowing nationwide missile attack targeting vital energy facilities, resulting in multiple casualties, just hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with US President Joe Biden at the White House.
Tragedy struck the southern region of Kherson, claiming five lives, while Kyiv witnessed another devastating attack, injuring seven people, including a 9-year-old girl, according to CNN.
Russia Targeted Ukraine's Power Grid
This tragic incident occurred mere hours before the long-anticipated meeting between the two leaders. In Kyiv, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that a child and an 18-year-old woman were hospitalized after debris from an infrastructure facility crashed onto a residential building, leading to injuries.
Furthermore, the assault caused significant damage to apartment buildings and vehicles in residential areas. The city of Kharkiv also endured the onslaught, with Russia launching six strikes in the early morning hours.
Two people sustained injuries during these attacks. Meanwhile, Cherkasy in central Ukraine witnessed overnight missile strikes that injured at least 10 people. The missile strikes marked the first time in six months that Russia targeted Ukraine's power infrastructure, as stated by the state energy provider Ukrenergo.
This assault coincides with Ukraine's preparation for the colder months, during which energy demand for heating increases. It is worth noting that Russia initiated a series of intense attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure last year in October.
Ukrenergo revealed that the missile attacks during the night resulted in damage to power facilities in western and central regions, resulting in blackouts in several areas. Ukraine's air defense forces successfully intercepted 36 out of 43 missiles launched by Russia on this fateful day.
Nevertheless, air raid alerts remained active in parts of the country, with some Ukrainian officials warning that the missile threat persists. The missile attacks further compounded the woes of Kyiv, which had already surpassed the 1,000-hour mark of air raid alarms since the onset of the Russian invasion.
The constant wail of air raid alarms has become a grim fixture in the city, with government officials urging residents to continue using bomb shelters despite their ubiquitous nature. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko characterized the situation, saying, "It's a restless morning," as he implored Ukrainians to adhere to safety protocols.
The unending air raid alarms, broadcast on loudspeakers and sent to residents' phones, have become a routine part of daily life in Kyiv. The head of Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko, emphasized the importance of heeding these alarms, given that the city has endured 18 months of continuous alerts.
The toll of this prolonged state of alertness on the capital's residents has been substantial. Still, Popko expressed optimism, stating, "We have survived it, and we will overcome much more together," Reuters via MSN reported.
Zelensky's Plea for Aid Amidst Attacks
However, President Zelensky's visit to the United States coincided with these devastating attacks. During his meeting with President Biden, Zelensky sought additional aid for his war-torn country.
The US Congress remains divided on the best course of action. John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, affirmed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to stand by the country for as long as necessary.
The missile attacks triggered power cuts in five Ukrainian regions, spanning the country's western, central, and eastern parts. These outages rekindled memories of the multiple airstrikes on critical infrastructure during the previous winter, which left millions without power during bitterly cold conditions.
Reports indicate that at least 18 people sustained injuries in these missile strikes, including a 9-year-old girl. A regional governor disclosed that two individuals lost their lives overnight due to separate Russian shelling incidents.
With winter approaching, Ukraine faces renewed challenges in repairing its infrastructure following extensive damage from last winter's attacks, which crippled nearly half of its energy system and forced grid operators to implement rolling power cuts.
This year, Ukraine benefits from improved air defenses supplied by Western nations, yet defending a large country against such attacks remains a formidable challenge. President Biden was poised to announce a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, which included a second tranche of cluster munitions fired from a 155-millimeter howitzer cannon.
Russia, which sent a substantial number of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, had previously focused its airstrikes on port and grain infrastructure since mid-July. This hampered Kyiv's efforts to export food products as a significant global grain producer.
Russia refrained from commenting on the new airstrikes. It continued to assert that Ukraine had been targeting Russian territory, as Kyiv persisted with its counteroffensive against Russia's 19-month-old invasion in the eastern and southern regions, South China Morning Post.
