On Tuesday, Ukraine carried out a series of drone strikes in the Moscow region, resulting in the death of one woman, the destruction of numerous homes, and the rerouting of 50 flights from the Russian capital. This attack was reportedly the largest drone strike carried out by Kyiv against Russia since the conflict began over two and a half years ago. In response, Russia claimed to have destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian drones in the Moscow region and 124 across eight other regions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the attacks on residential neighborhoods in Moscow, stating that they were not legitimate military targets.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated, with Russia heavily relying on drones and missiles in its assault on Ukraine. Moscow has been conducting aerial assaults on Kyiv, while Kyiv has been retaliating with drone strikes on the Russian capital. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that he would travel to Ukraine along with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to meet with Ukrainian officials later in the week. Blinken highlighted the need to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression, especially with regards to attacks on energy infrastructure. He pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy of targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the cold winter months.
The upcoming visit by Blinken and Lammy to Ukraine aims to address the escalating situation and demonstrate support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal underscored the challenges faced by the country, including intermittent blackouts, following Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure. Reports suggest that a significant portion of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leading to concerns about potential power outages during the winter months. Shmyhal mentioned that 85% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is protected against anticipated Russian attacks, with efforts being made to secure and restore the grid.
Energy officials in Ukraine have raised alarms about the potential for severe electricity shortages during the upcoming winter, depending on the extent of grid repairs. The Ukrainian government has allocated substantial funds, with additional support from foreign allies, to protect energy facilities and address the impact of Russian attacks. The situation remains volatile, with both Ukraine and Russia engaging in military actions. The international community, including the US and NATO, is closely monitoring the developments and standing in solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression. As the conflict continues, efforts are being made to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses and safeguard essential infrastructure.
