Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian attack on his country's energy sector had targeted gas facilities important for supply to the European Union.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that Russia conducted attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, specifically targeting facilities vital for gas supply to the European Union. The Russian Ministry of Defence released images purporting to show air strikes on various energy installations in Ukraine, including electric power stations and gas facilities. These attacks have caused significant damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, prompting concerns over electricity and gas distribution.

The strikes have reportedly affected energy facilities across Ukraine, from the eastern regions near Dnipropetrovsk to the western areas close to the Polish border. Ukrainian authorities have stated that of the 34 missiles launched in these strikes, 21 were intercepted by their air defense systems. The targeted gas facilities play a critical role in the safe distribution of gas to the European Union, highlighting the broader implications of these attacks on energy security.

In response to the escalating attacks on its energy infrastructure, Ukraine has been actively defending itself and also targeting Russian energy facilities. Ukrainian drones have hit at least two Russian refineries in the Krasnodar region. Facing continued Russian aggression, Kyiv has urgently called on its allies for additional support in air defense capabilities. In a recent development, Washington has agreed to supply Kyiv with several Patriot missiles. President Zelensky has emphasized the need for at least seven such systems to adequately protect Ukrainian airspace.



Moscow 'targeted' gas facilities in Ukraine that secure EU supply

These images, released by the Russian Ministry of Defence, claim to show air strikes on Ukrainian energy installations. Electric power stations, gas facilities and supply networks are among the targets, with enough damage to prompt authorities to Russian electricity consumption. The main target of these strikes was the energy sector, various facilities in the industry, both for electricity and gas distribution, in particular those gas facilities that are crucial to ensuring safe distribution of gas to the European Union. Kyiv says these strikes have hit facilities across the country, in the east, near Dnipropetrovsk, but also in the west, near the Polish border. 21 of 34 missiles were intercepted by air defence systems, according to authorities. The war on energy infrastructure is one that Ukraine is also waging on Russia, with at least two Russian refineries targeted by Ukrainian drones in the Krasnodar region. But to continue fending off Russian attacks, Kyiv has been urgently calling on allies for more air defence systems. On Friday, Washington agreed to provide Kyiv several Patriot missiles. Zelensky says Ukraine needs at least seven to protect its skies.

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Ukraine Invasion