Russia's attack on the power grid in Ukraine, 1.5 million people in the dark internationalLead NewsOctober 23, 2022 12:58:46

International Desk: Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. Several other power grids have been hit by airstrikes. On Saturday (October 22), Kiev alleged that Russian missiles had attacked important installations in Ukraine. 1.5 million people in the country are left in the dark due to the attack on the power grid.

In a video message on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian attack was of a terrible nature. He said his country will further improve its ability to shoot down Russian missiles.

The president of Ukraine also said that the scope of this mass attack is very wide. The attacks took place in the regions of western, central and southern Ukraine. He said, of course, they do not have the technical capability to shoot down Russian missiles and attack drones 100%. He is sure that gradually with the help of partners he will achieve this capability. He also said that they shot down most of the cruise missiles and most of the drones.

He said, on Saturday, Ukrainian forces shot down 20 missiles and more than 10 Iranian-made Shahid-136 drones. Air Force Command earlier said that of 33 missiles fired at Ukraine, 18 were shot down by Ukrainian forces.

As the war enters its ninth month and winter approaches, the situation is made more dire by Russia's attack on Ukraine's power grid.

Meanwhile, Russian-backed leaders have urged civilians to evacuate from the southern city of Kherson. In a message on the Telegram app on Saturday (October 22), the regional administration said civilians were being urged to leave the city of Kherson. The message mentions the tense situation, attacks and plans of Ukrainian forces. They also urged civilians to use boats to cross rivers to enter Russian-controlled territory.

Russia captured the regional capital city of Kherson early in the war and later captured other parts of the region. Four regions, including Kherson, have been controlled by President Putin's government through referendums. On Thursday, he declared martial law in the regions amid continued counterattacks by Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine's military says it is advancing in the region, seizing at least two villages. Russian troops have withdrawn from there. Kherson connects Ukraine with the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

Since October 10, Russia has launched devastating attacks on Ukraine's electricity infrastructure. These attacks damaged at least half of the thermal power generation and up to 40 percent of the entire system.

Engineers scrambled to restore the network. Officials in various regions on Saturday announced a strike over fuel and power outages. Regional governors advised residents to conserve water.

Presidential adviser Kirylo Tymoshenko said parts of Kiev were without power by evening. A city official warned that the Ukrainian capital could go without electricity and fuel for 'several days or weeks'. At least 1.5 million people have lost power in the country.

Another aide to the president, Mykhailo Podoliak, said Moscow wanted to create a new wave of refugees in Europe with the attack. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said on Twitter that the attack amounted to genocide.

Moscow has admitted targeting energy infrastructure but has denied targeting civilians.

 

Comments (0)