Russia launches massive assault on Ukrainian energy grid
Throughout the morning, an air raid alert was in effect across all Ukrainian regions due to a massive Russian attack. "This was one of the largest strikes targeting our energy infrastructure," noted Volodymyr Zelensky in a subsequently published post.
Ukrainian Pravda reported that Russian forces launched a large number of missiles.
In response to these events, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces conveyed that "regular pairs of fighter jets have been scrambled, and ground-based air defence and radar systems have been placed on high alert."
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko also reported on social media that Russian forces had once again conducted a massive attack on Ukraine's energy sector.
"The enemy continues its terror. Once again, the energy sector across Ukraine is under massive attack. Power engineers are taking all the necessary measures to minimise the negative consequences for the power system," he stated in a release.
Zelensky commented on the Russian attack
"Another Russian missile strike against Ukraine. Cruise missiles, ballistic missiles. According to preliminary reports, 93 missiles were launched, including at least one North Korean missile. A total of 81 missiles were shot down, 11 of which were cruise missiles intercepted by our F-16s. Additionally, the Russians used nearly 200 drones in this attack," conveyed Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the attack on Ukraine on the Friday morning.
"This was one of the largest strikes targeting our energy infrastructure," the Ukrainian president emphasised.
"This is Putin’s 'peace plan'—to destroy everything. This is how he wants 'negotiations'—by terrorizing millions of people. He is neither limited in long-range capabilities nor in acquiring the necessary components to produce missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in his impunity," he added.
As he highlighted, if leaders are afraid to respond or get used to terror, Putin treats it as permission for further actions. According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs Patriot air defence systems "to shoot down these missiles and prove that terror will not achieve its goals." Moreover, sanctions against Russia should be strengthened so that they indeed impact Russian missile production, he added.
"Putin won’t be stopped by empty talk—strength is what is needed to bring peace. Strength that is not afraid of its ability to confront and stop evil. The world can stop this madness, and to do so, it must first stop the madness in Moscow that has been ordering terror for over 20 years," he concluded.
