Russia targets Ukraine’s energy system, using more than 100 missiles and around 100 Shahed drones. An object flies into Polish airspace during Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine condemns Russia’s major attack on the country.
Russia batters Ukraine’s energy system, using more than 100 missiles, around 100 Shahed drones
Russia launched a major missile and drone attack aimed at energy infrastructure across Ukraine overnight into Monday. The strike used 127 missiles of various types and 109 Shahed drones, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk.
Explosions rocked the cities of Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Lutsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and others. Russia’s missiles and drones targeted energy sites in the regions of Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr and others.
The strikes killed at least seven people across the country, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.
In Odesa region, seven people, including two children, were injured. In Lutsk, one person was killed, and five others wounded. Explosions rocked the Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih districts in the region of Dnipro, killing one.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Russia fired drones, cruise missiles and hypersonic ballistic Kinzhal missiles at 15 Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said the situation in the country’s energy system was difficult after Russian attacks, prompting emergency power cuts.
In a video address on Monday afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said: “This was one of the largest attacks — a combined strike, involving over a hundred missiles of various types and around a hundred Shaheds. Like most previous Russian strikes, this one was just as vile, targeting critical civilian infrastructure in most of our regions — from Kharkiv region and Kyiv to Odesa and western regions. Unfortunately, some people were killed. My condolences to their families and friends. There are dozens of injured, and all of them are receiving the necessary treatment.”
The energy sector has sustained significant damage, Zelenskyi said, adding that repair works were already underway wherever there were power outages. Repair crews will work around the clock to restore power to the residents.
“Putin remains true to himself: he is a sick creature. This has been long clear to everyone, but it is also clear that he can only do what the world allows him to. Weakness and inadequate responses fuel terror,” Zelenskyi said.
“Every leader, every one of our partners, knows the decisive actions required to end this war justly. Ukraine cannot be constrained in its long-range capabilities when the terrorists face no such limitations. Defenders of life should face no restrictions on weapons, while Russia uses all kinds of its own weapons, as well as Shahed drones and ballistic missiles from North Korea. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other partners have the power to help us stop terror. We need decisions,” he said.
Object flies into Polish airspace during Russia’s attack on Ukraine
Poland reported a “flying object” had entered its airspace during Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine on Monday. Most likely it was a drone, not a missile, Major General Maciej Klisz, Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces was quoted as saying by RMF24. Searches for the object are under way.
The object had entered Polish airspace near the Ukrainian city of Chervonohrad at 6:43 a.m. Polish time.
The object was confirmed by radiolocation by at least three radar stations. It disappeared from the radars around 25 kilometers deep into Polish territory, Klisz said. The drone likely fell in the Tyszowce municipality in the Lublin province (voivodeship).
“The characteristics show that the object is not a hypersonic, ballistic or guided missile. It is probably an unmanned aerial vehicle that, according to the country’s procedures, we call an unidentified flying object,” Klisz said.
Earlier, Poland said it had scrambled jets in the south of the country due to the attack on Ukraine.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine condemns Russia’s major attack on the country
In a statement released on Monday, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale condemned Russia’s major attack on Ukraine.
“Like millions of people in Ukraine I spent hours in a shelter this morning because of the ongoing wave of attacks on Ukraine by the Russian Armed Forces. The attacks have reportedly resulted in civilians both killed and injured and heavy damage to civilian infrastructure,” the statement reads.
“It is unacceptable that instead of getting on with their lives, the citizens of this country have to seek safety in metro stations and other shelters. Even in war there are rules. International humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians must be protected,” Schmale said.
The illusion of “good Russians”: why their support is unlikely? Ukraine in Flames #655
By insidiously launching a genocidal war against Ukraine, Putin and his Kremlin gang have finally established Russia’s status as an enemy of humanity. We hope that the International Criminal Court’s warrant for Putin’s arrest is only the beginning of worldwide legal and political recognition of this status. However, it would be dangerously naive to blame only the head of the Russian half-empire and his closest entourage for all the horrors of this war. Crimes against humanity and genocide against the people of Ukraine are committed by thousands of ordinary Russians. They have come to our land to kill, torture, rape, and steal. Watch Ukraine in Flames #655 to find out about ‘good Russians’—do they exist, how can they become allies for Ukrainians, and can we rely on their support in dismantling the war-mongering Russian Federation?
Guests:
- Ihor Seletskyi, Director of the NGO “Euro-Atlantic course”
- Yevhen Mahda, Director of the Institute of World Politics
- Ihor Stokoz, Expert on international politics
