Russia preparing new large-scale strike, primarily targeting energy and logistics – Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, according to intelligence, Russia is preparing another large-scale strike on Ukraine, mainly targeting energy and logistics infrastructure. He also instructed the government to restore a programme providing additional payments to energy workers and repair crews.
Zelenskyy said this in his evening address on 2 November, Censor.NET reports.
On the new attack
"We know from intelligence that Russia is preparing another large-scale strike on our country, primarily targeting energy and logistics. Their calculation is essentially that the world will be watching the American elections tomorrow, and that what is happening here in Ukraine, along with our difficulties with air defence and Patriot missiles, will supposedly escape the world’s attention," the president said.
According to him, the world needs to send signals to Russia that make it understand there will be no benefit or advantage from terror, and that "as long as this war continues, their oil will burn, and they will not be able to make money doing business with the world".
Russia’s strike will be met with a response
"We must not play games with Russia’s oil or gas revenues. We must put pressure on Russia so that it has no alternative but to end this war. America can do this, the world can do this. These Russian killings must be stopped," Zelenskyy stressed.
He added that Ukraine is "responding entirely justifiably to Russia for all its strikes on our people and our cities", thanked the units carrying out missions involving "Ukraine’s long-range sanctions", and promised: "We will certainly respond to the strike the Russians are preparing now."
Energy restoration and additional payments
According to the president, repair crews and energy workers across Ukraine have been working almost around the clock in recent weeks to restore electricity supplies after Russian attacks. This year, he said, Russia is using a new tactic: striking not only power generation facilities but also grids and electricity distribution infrastructure, carrying out "dozens of strikes a day".
"The speed of restoration now matters as much as the availability of air defence missiles. That is why every day must be used as effectively as possible for repairs, restoration and building protective structures," he said.
- Zelenskyy said he had instructed the government to restart, for autumn and winter, a programme that proved effective last year: everyone involved in repairs needs monthly additional payments, along with rotations for teams working in the most difficult conditions.
"Ukrainian communities must truly work shoulder to shoulder on restoration. I expect the government to present all the details of support for repair crews and energy workers this week," the head of state added.
