Russia preparing ‘massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy facilities’

Russian military forces are reportedly preparing for a significant offensive against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, according to the Ukrainian defense ministry. This move comes just days after a devastating attack on a warehouse near Kyiv, which resulted in 38 deaths and injuries to 20 people. The ministry stated that Russian forces have begun preparations for massive strikes against Ukraine's energy facilities, claiming it as retaliation for Kyiv's targeting of Russian energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal had previously warned that "Putin wants to finish off (Ukraine's) energy system," and emphasized that Kyiv would work to strengthen its energy and infrastructure resilience to prevent another winter of blackouts. The defense ministry also reported that Moscow had carried out coordinated strikes against an industrial facility in Kyiv earlier this month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Russian attack on a warehouse in Myla, near the capital, killed 38 people, injured 20, and left four missing, with fires damaging at least 50 residential homes. Additionally, Ukrainian officials believe Russia is planning a new ground attack on Kyiv, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte to provide Ukraine with greater air support.