Ukrainian authorities on Friday reported explosions in at least three cities, saying Russia has launched a major missile attack”= on energy facilities and infrastructure, as reported by news agency AP.
Local authorities on social media reported explosions in the capital, Kyiv, southern Kryvyi Rih and northeastern Kharkiv as authorities sounded air raid alarms across the country warning of a new devastating barrage of the Russian strikes that have occurred intermittently since mid-October.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram that the city is without electricity, AP reported. The strikes targeting energy infrastructure are a part of a new strategy from Russia in order to freeze Ukrainians into submission following several key battlefield losses by Russian forces in recent months.
European Union leaders concluded the last summit of 2022 and agreed to provide 18 billion euros in financing to Ukraine next year besides imposing more sanctions on Russia.
The leaders, on Thursday also agreed to the ninth package of sanctions against Moscow to blacklist nearly 200 other people besides banning investment in Russia’s mining industry, among others, reported news agency Reuters.The fresh round of sanctions on Russia comes amid complaints from hawkish eastern European leaders that some countries were trying to water them down.
The agreements were reached on the sidelines of a leaders’ summit in Brussels and the sanctions would be formally confirmed on Friday. Meanwhile, Russia may likely attack Kyiv next year.
The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces expects a new Russian attack on Kyiv in the early months of 2023, according to an interview with The Economist released on Thursday.
