World News-
In a major escalation, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday, causing a nationwide power outage and resulting in multiple casualties. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the assault as “systematic energy terror.”
The attacks have resulted in the deaths of three people, including a 7-year-old child, with at least 17 others injured, among them women and children.
Scale of the Attack: Over 650 Drones and 50 Missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia fired more than 650 drones and over 50 missiles in the coordinated assault. The strikes have severely crippled essential services in Ukrainian cities, including water supply, sewage, and heating systems, which are dependent on electricity. These utilities have been forced to shut down due to the widespread blackouts.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia has been systematically targeting Ukraine’s power grid for several months.
Zelenskyy’s Appeal to Western Allies
“We have trust in the United States, Europe, and the G7 nations,” Zelenskyy stated. He expressed confidence that these allies would help “destroy everything in Moscow that creates a crisis for our people.” The Ukrainian president has renewed his appeal to Western partners to impose stronger sanctions and help stop Russia’s ongoing aggression.
Areas Worst Hit by the Assault
The impact of the attacks was felt across the country:
Zaporizhzhia Oblast (South): 17 people were injured, including a 2-year-old girl. Rescue workers pulled one man from the rubble, but he died at the scene. Two people were killed in this region.
Vinnytsia Oblast (Central-West): A 7-year-old girl, who was critically injured in the attack, later died in the hospital.
Lviv Region (West): Two energy facilities near the Polish border were damaged, disrupting the power supply in the area.
