Russia has launched ballistic strikes against energy infrastructure of Kyiv, Kyiv region and Kharkiv. There has never been such demonstrative display of disrespect by Russia towards US, – Zelenskyy

Overnight, Russian forces launched 39 ballistic missiles and deployed over 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against energy facilities and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv.

This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel, according to Censor.NET.

Zelenskyy’s reaction

"A targeted Russian ballistic strike specifically against the energy sector, for which the US President had called for a ceasefire. The strike was entirely deliberate and significant in scale – there has never before been such a demonstrative display of disrespect by Russia towards the US. Russia does not consider the US President’s statements to be forceful. At least 600,000 people are, unfortunately, currently without electricity. There may be even more widespread power cuts. Regrettably, there is significant damage to facilities and equipment at 26 sites within our electricity sector and at four sites in the oil and gas sector. "I am grateful to the repair teams, all Ukrainian energy workers, and the staff of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for all their efforts to deal with the aftermath of this Russian attack. Unfortunately, there are casualties and the injured," Zelenskyy said.

"We call on America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond – and to respond firmly," the Head of State urged.

According to him, Russia has squandered an opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its mad war of annihilation.

Call for tougher sanctions

"We are asking President Trump to impose STRONG sanctions against Russia, especially as the Lindsey Graham Act, which was recently passed and signed into law, permits and regulates this. The President of the United States has all the powerful and sufficient tools to bring about peace through strength, justice and pressure on the aggressor. We ask that Ukraine be provided with additional Patriot missile defence systems. We are absolutely right to tell the United States, Europe and all our partners that no country in the world should be left to face such an irrational and warmongering entity as Russia on its own. I am grateful to everyone who is helping Ukraine! Peace can only come through strength, and we ask America to remember this Reagan-era principle," Zelenskyy concluded.

What led up to this?

It was previously reported that the enemy was launching ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv.
Later, Klitschko stated that Russian forces had struck a number of energy facilities in Kyiv.
As a result of the Russian attack on Kyiv, three people have been killed and over 20 injured, with strikes reported in several districts.
According to DTEK, emergency power cuts have been implemented in five districts of Kyiv due to the Russian ballistic missile attack.