Massive Aerial Assault Launched by Russia Targeting Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, mentioned that Kyiv was not prepared to engage in negotiations with Russia regarding a cease-fire.
Russia executed a significant aerial attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Friday, using numerous cruise missiles and drones.
Halushchenko advised people to seek refuge in underground shelters until the attack was over.
He assured that energy workers were implementing necessary measures to limit any adverse effects on the country’s power grid, which has been a primary target for Russia recently, intending to disrupt heating and lighting as the winter temperatures plummet.
The national grid operator, Ukrenergo, enforced additional restrictions on power usage on Friday.
Ukraine has encountered 11 attacks on its energy infrastructure this year, causing substantial damage and prolonged power outages for the war-affected population.
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The Kyiv air force reported that Russia utilized air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missiles against targets in western Ukraine on Friday.
Local authorities confirmed multiple explosions in Kyiv and the southern city of Odesa.
‘Massive Russian Missile Attack’
Sybiha stated on X: “Massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine this morning, primarily targeting the energy system. Russia aims to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems.”
Friday’s aerial assault occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, conveyed that Kyiv was not yet prepared to commence negotiations with Russia.
Ukraine Wants ‘Clear Guarantees’
Yermak emphasized: “We don’t have the weapons, we don’t have the status that we are talking about. And that means an invitation to NATO and an understanding of clear guarantees that would provide for us, so that we could be sure that Putin won’t be coming back in two or three years.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but the conflict was at a standstill until August when Kyiv deployed troops into Russia’s Kursk region.
Having withdrawn troops from the frontlines in the Donbas, Ukrainians are now facing significant pressure from the Russians, who are within close proximity to the key city of Pokrovsk.
During his election campaign, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated that he would swiftly resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict and implied that Kyiv should have made concessions to Moscow previously.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s desire to end the war but acknowledged the need for additional efforts to fortify the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) poses with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Dec. 7, 2024. Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo
Zelenskyy also adjusted his stance on previous claims that talks could not commence while Russia was occupying Ukrainian territory.
Russia has rejected Ukraine’s request to join NATO and urged Zelenskyy to acknowledge the Kremlin’s annexation of four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
