Russian troops launched dozens of attack drones along with ballistic missiles and cruise missiles targeting many areas of Ukraine, including the capital Kiev, according to military and local officials.
The airstrikes took place on the night of February 21, focusing on energy infrastructure. Areas around Kiev, the port city of Odesa on the Black Sea coast and central Ukraine all recorded damage.
Mr. Mykola Kalashnyk - Governor of the Kiev region - said that at least 1 person was killed and 5 others were injured. Damage was recorded in 5 districts, with more than 10 houses damaged.
In Odesa, Mr. Oleh Kiper - Regional Governor - said that a nighttime drone attack hit energy infrastructure, causing a fire. The fires were then extinguished.
Mr. Andrii Sybiha - Ukrainian Foreign Minister - declared that Russia is "undermining diplomacy" with large-scale attacks that he called terrorists. On social network X, he called on the international community to impose tougher sanctions on the Kremlin.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia almost attacks the country's energy system every day, targeting thermal power plants and substations. Attacks on power plants, transmission systems and the gas sector are considered an important part of the comprehensive military campaign that Russia launched in February 2022.
Russia believes that the attacks are aimed at weakening Ukraine's combat capability. Meanwhile, Kiev accused the concentration of firepower on civilian infrastructure of causing serious losses to the people, especially in the context of increasing energy demand.
The latest attack shows that energy infrastructure continues to be a hot spot in the conflict, as both sides are still pursuing their strategic goals on the battlefield.
