Russia launches new missiles at Ukraine and targets its gas infrastructure

Russia has launched another barrage of drones and missiles against Ukraine, this time targeting the gas infrastructure in western regions. This is the latest attack on Ukraine's crippled power system just as winter approaches. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, said that Russian forces used over 70 drones and 40 missiles in the morning's attack. He said that Ukrainian air defences had shot down 30 missiles or more.

"Another massive Russian assault. "It's winter and the Russians are still targeting our energy infrastructure," Zelenskiy wrote in a post on X Platform.

Gas and energy installations that support normal life for our citizens were among their objectives.

Hundreds of Kyiv residents took shelter in metro stations underground, sleeping on mats, and sitting with their pets on chairs folded into a yoga pose.

Two energy facilities in Ukraine's western Lviv Region, Drohobych, and Stryi, have been damaged, according to the governor. The governor of Ivano-Frankivsk said that air defences had repelled Russian attacks against facilities.

Both stated that no injuries were reported.

Ukrainians use gas primarily for cooking and heating their homes. Gas is stored in the country during summer to be used for winter when production cannot cover demand.

Ukraine's underground storage facilities for gas are located in western Ukraine, including the Stryi region. Since Kyiv refused an extension of a gas-transit agreement with Russia, their role has increased.

Since March 2024, Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukraine's energy sector and other infrastructure, knocking down half of the available generation capacity and forcing rolling blackouts throughout the country.

Ukrainian cities, businesses and residents have rushed to install solar panels, batteries and generators to improve their energy independence.

Zelenskiy's pleas for Ukraine's air defense to be strengthened were reiterated by Zelenskiy on Wednesday when he visited Poland, Kyivs western allies.

We have also discussed the licensing of air defence systems, and the missiles that go with them. This could be one of the most effective security guarantees Ukraine has. It is realistic and essential to implement. This is a realistic and necessary implementation."

(source: Reuters)