Russian forces attacked energy supplies in Ukraine yesterday in what some say is a deliberate ploy to leave the country in the cold this winter.
Ukraine ’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said a wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities by Russian forces had targeted energy supplies in a move chosen to inflict cause as much damage to civilians as possible.
Russia fiercely shelled central Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Lviv in some of the most intense blasts to hit Ukraine since the early days of the war.
Preliminary reports suggest that at least 19 people died and around 90 were injured, as children on their way to school were sent running for shelter.
In a statement, Zelensky said: "The morning is difficult. We are dealing with terrorists. Dozens of missiles, Iranian 'Shahids.' They have two targets. Energy facilities – throughout the country. Kyiv region and Khmelnytsky region, Lviv and Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Frankiv region, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy region, Kharkiv region, Zhytomyr region, Kirovohrad region, the south. They want to panic and chaos, they want to destroy our energy system."
Despite Russia’s claims it has attacked strategic military targets, blasts around four key cities left large parts of Ukraine with blackouts and water shortages.
Authorities in Kyiv reported damage to facilities and power lines in 12 regions of the country, out of 27 in total.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesman for the UN Human Rights Office, warned the recent strikes "amount to a war crime."
She continued: "Damage to key power stations and lines ahead of the upcoming winter raises further concerns for the protection of civilians and in particular the impact on vulnerable populations."
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "These are war crimes planned well in advance and aimed at creating unbearable conditions for civilians."
He said it was part of a "deliberate strategy" by Moscow as winter approaches.
UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat branded the strikes on Ukrainian cities "war crimes" while Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said they were "unacceptable".
Shevchenko Park in central Kyiv, one of the city’s busiest parks usually packed with people and street musicians, was obliterated in the blasts.
Journalist Olga Tokariuk tweeted: "This is the park we used to go to often with my child. She would play on the playground, and then we'll go for crêpes at a kiosk nearby. There was always a queue because they were so good. It's so painful to watch."
