The Guardian – Russia launches revenge attacks as Ukraine offensive gathers pace
Russia has launched “revenge attacks” on Ukraine, reports the Guardian. Infrastructure facilities, including power and water plants, are among those being targeted, after a concerted Ukrainian offensive made important gains, the paper says.
The mayor of Kharkiv city, Ihor Terekhov, said a strike had knocked out power and water to much of the city, in what he described as an act of “revenge” by Russia for Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes. There were reports of blackouts in Dnipro, Poltava and other eastern cities, potentially affecting millions of civilians.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy blamed “Russian terrorists” for the blackouts. “No military facilities [were attacked],” the Ukrainian president said in a statement on social media. “The goal is to deprive people of light and heat.”