Moscow Strikes Back
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Russia launches missile barrage at key Ukrainian infrastructure knocking out power and communications
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday confirmed that strikes with precision long-range ground-, naval-and air-based weapons was carried out on Ukrainian energy, communications and military infrastructure facilities, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense and under the plan provided by the General Staff.
According to Putin, Kiev “by its actions has actually put itself on the same footing as international terrorist organizations.
“It is simply no longer possible to leave crimes of this kind unanswered,” he said. Putin warned that, if Kiev continues to carry out terror attacks on the Russian territory, responses “will be brutal and will correspond in scale to the level of threats created for the Russia Federation.”
A series of explosions were heard in downtown Kiev starting at 08:20 (local time), according to eyewitnesses.
– Central streets were blocked off by law enforcement. Objects in downtown Kiev were damaged, rescuers are working at the scene.
– According to the Kiev Region administration head, explosions were heard at critical infrastructure sites in three districts of the region. The region is experiencing power surges. The authorities warn about the possible disruption of communications, power and water supply.
– A building, where the office of Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov is located, was damaged.
– Operation of all Kiev metro lines has been restored.
Explosions in other regions
– Explosions were also heard in Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Ivano-Frankovsk, Kirovograd, Sumy and other regions.
– According to Zelensky, there is currently a threat to energy facilities across the entire country. “Kiev and Khmelnitsky Regions, Lvov and Dnepr, Vinnitsa, Ivano-Frankovsk Region, Zaporozhye, Sumy Region, Kharkov Region, Zhitomir Region, Kirovograd Region, the South,” Zelensky listed, adding that there could be temporary blackouts.
Damage and destruction
– According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, a total of 11 important infrastructure facilities were damaged in 8 regions and in Kiev, some regions were left without power.
– In particular, damage was sustained by energy infrastructure facilities in Lvov, Sumy and Zhitomir Regions. In the latter, some consumers have been switched to reserve power sources.
– In addition, explosions were heard on critical infrastructure objects in the Ivano-Frankovsk Region. A missile landed near the Burshtyn thermal power plant.
– Power and water supply have been disrupted in the Poltava Region and in several districts of Kharkov, in Khmelnitsky and Sumy regions. Temporary power outages are possible in the Cherkassy Region.
– In Lvov, the hot water supply is cut off after city heat and power stations were shut down after an explosion on a critical infrastructure object. The city was left without power.
– Power was also cut off across a part of the Chernigov Region in northern Ukraine.
– Odessa Region authorities warned about possible blackouts.
– The railway power grid in Western Ukraine is damaged, according to Ukrainian Railways. Meanwhile, train service in Ukraine is being restored. Trains arrive with some delay.
– The visa department building of the German consulate general in Kiev was damaged, according to German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christian Wagner. The department has not been operational for several months.
– Several people were killed or injured by explosions in Kiev, according to Svetlana Vodolaga, spokeswoman of the Ukrainian State Service for Emergency Situations.
Current situation
– Zelensky declared an air raid warning across the entire country, saying that energy infrastructure facilities were being targeted. The warning was later canceled in all regions of Ukraine.
– The authorities urge people to stay in shelters.
– All schools were switched to remote learning until the end of this week. In Kiev, remote classes were canceled as well.
– Utilities have already begun working to restore damaged infrastructure.
– All Ukrainian train terminals are operating as usual. The blast wave damaged windows in the central Kiev train terminal. According to Ukrainian Railways, where passengers were sheltered.
– Metro operation has been suspended in Kharkov. According to the media, ground transport is not working as well.
“The strike has achieved its goal,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said, adding “that all designated targets were damaged.”
The US embassy in Kiev urged all US citizens present on Ukrainian territory to leave the country as soon as it becomes safe to. Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry urged French citizens in Ukraine to stay in their homes.
– EU High Representative Josep Borrell condemned the attacks on Kiev, adding that the EU will send additional military aid to Ukraine.
– A G7 emergency meeting will convene, Zelensky said after a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Zelensky said he will deliver an address at the meeting.
– Scholz assured Zelensky of solidarity from Germany and other G7 states. Germany will do everything in order to mobilize additional aid to Ukraine – first and foremost, for the restoration of damaged infrastructure objects, German Cabinet spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said. The German government condemned the Russian “missile strikes” on Ukrainian cities, Hebestreit said.
– Zelensky also had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, discussing the need for strong European and international reaction to the situation. Macron stated his readiness to increase military aid to Ukraine, AFP reported.
– Zelensky also had emergency consultations with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
– The Italian Foreign Ministry condemned the missile strikes on Ukraine and reaffirmed its support to Kiev. The Canadian Foreign Ministry made a similar statement.
Source TASS/Reuters
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