Russia batters Ukraine power grid amid rising concern Putin could order ballistic missile attack this weekend
Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have once again left the country reeling as freezing winter conditions set in. In a massive blow to the country’s largest energy company, Moscow’s forces unleashed a barrage of 90 missiles, including cruise missiles, and 200 drones targeting plants across Western Ukraine.
The attack, which marks the twelfth mass attack on the Ukrainian energy industry this year, has left at least half of the Ternopil region without power, with equipment damaged at the DTEK civilian energy company. Despite the severity of the assault, no casualties have been reported so far.
Reports this week suggest that Russia may be planning another attack using its latest ballistic missile, the Oreshnik missile. The U.S. National Security Council official warned that the attack could happen as soon as this weekend. However, experts believe that the Oreshnik missile is not a game-changer on the battlefield but rather an attempt by Russia to terrorize Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Estonian Intelligence has raised concerns that Russian forces are making incremental gains in Donetsk near the town of Pokrovsk, potentially gaining access to crucial supply routes. Ukrainian forces have managed to repel attacks on the town of Kurakhove, despite Russian attempts to encircle the area.
The situation in Donetsk has put pressure on the U.S. to continue its support for Ukraine as the Trump administration prepares to transition out. President-elect Trump has criticized Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems to hit targets in Russia, raising questions about the future of U.S. assistance.
President-elect Biden, on the other hand, recently allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to target Russian military positions, a decision that has been welcomed by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and U.S. security experts. They argue that targeting Russian military assets is crucial in defending against Russia’s invasion and protecting Ukrainian civilians.
As tensions escalate in Ukraine, the international community is closely watching to see how the situation unfolds and whether the U.S. will continue its support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The conflict in Ukraine remains a volatile and dangerous situation, with the potential for further escalation on the horizon.
