Massive Russian strike on energy left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power - Zelenskyy
On the night of October 14, Russian forces used 39 ballistic missiles and over 120 strike drones and loitering munitions to attack Ukraine's energy and critical infrastructure. As a result, at least 600,000 people were left without electricity.
The scale of the attack was reported by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel.
According to him, the main targets of the Russian strikes were energy and infrastructure facilities in Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv.
As a result of the shelling, significant damage to facilities and equipment at 26 elements of Ukraine's power grid was recorded. In addition, four oil and gas infrastructure facilities were affected.
The President warned that the number of consumers without electricity could increase. Emergency repair crews, energy workers, and State Emergency Service personnel continue to deal with the consequences of the attacks. There are also known deaths and injuries.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia deliberately carried out a massive strike specifically on energy infrastructure, despite calls from US President Donald Trump to stop such attacks.
"There has never been such demonstrative disrespect by Russia towards America", - said the Ukrainian president.
He called on Washington and international partners to react harshly to Moscow's actions. In particular, Ukraine asks the US to impose additional sanctions on Russia and provide new packages of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
In Zelenskyy's opinion, Russia has demonstrated unwillingness to de-escalate, and the Trump administration has enough tools to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
The situation escalated after October 11, when Trump announced an allegedly reached agreement between Ukraine and Russia on partially halting strikes on energy infrastructure.
However, in an interview with American radio NPR on October 13, Zelenskyy said he learned about Trump's statement from social media. According to him, Ukraine is ready for mutual cessation of attacks on energy, but Russia must also undertake and fulfill the corresponding obligations.
Separately, Zelenskyy confirmed to NPR that the Ukrainian military had received warnings from the American side about possible termination of intelligence sharing if Ukraine continues long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries.
However, the President clarified that no actual cessation of intelligence transfer had occurred by the time of the interview. Donald Trump also stated on October 13 that the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine.
Another subject of dispute was Washington's decision to ease sanctions against Russian diesel fuel exports. The American administration hopes this will help lower fuel prices in the US.
Zelenskyy, in contrast, believes that the volumes of additional Russian diesel supplies are insufficient to significantly affect American prices. Moreover, additional export revenues, in his view, will allow Moscow to increase war financing.
The Ukrainian president cited the war in the Middle East and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of world oil supplies passes, as the main reason for the rise in energy prices.
Against the backdrop of new large-scale strikes on Ukraine's energy sector, Zelenskyy called on the US to move from diplomatic statements to concrete measures of pressure on Russia, primarily sanctions and strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NPR, Kurs Ukrainy