Russia targets Ukrainian energy facility with North Korean ballistic missiles

Russian forces struck a key Ukrainian energy facility overnight using North Korean ballistic missiles, according to Euronews, UA.NEWS, and صوت الإمارات. Euronews, CBS News, and Українська правда report that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Russia launched 36 ballistic missiles targeting critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defences intercepted only four of the incoming missiles, citing a shortage of interceptor missiles, while CBS News added that 172 drones were also used in strikes affecting Kyiv and 12 other regions. [1][2][7][8][9]

Preliminary technical assessments indicated that Russian forces used North Korean-manufactured KN-23 ballistic missiles in the strike on the main energy site, Euronews reported. CBS News said at least nine people were injured across Ukraine during the overnight bombardment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of deliberately trying to deprive millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heating, and water ahead of winter, according to Euronews. [1][2]

Since invading Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly launched waves of missile and drone strikes targeting civilian power infrastructure, leaving the country with only a third of its pre-war electricity generating capacity by mid-2024. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Russian strikes have repeatedly cut power to tens of thousands of Ukrainian residents during ongoing targeting of energy sites. [12][14][15]

The latest strike comes as negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States prepare to meet on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi for talks aimed at ending the war, CBS News reported. Zelenskyy stated that Moscow is stepping up its attacks on Ukraine and its infrastructure ahead of the scheduled discussions. [2]