Russia launches most intense missile and UAV attack on Ukrainian infrastructure

Russia's November 17 missile attack on a nine-story building in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy forced more than 400 people to evacuate the area.

Ukrainian rescue workers try to extinguish a fire after a Russian missile attack on November 17. (Source: AP)

Rescue workers are continuing to search through apartments for people still trapped in the collapsed building.

Drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have raised concerns that Moscow may be deliberately sabotaging Kiev's power supply ahead of winter.

It was the biggest attack in three months, causing severe damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, disrupting electricity and water supplies in many areas.

Poland and several allies had to mobilize fighter jets to protect their airspace from this large-scale attack.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry asserted that all of its attack targets were related to Kiev's military industry.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, although nuclear power plants were not directly affected, many transformer stations suffered severe damage.

The conflict continues with tensions, leaving many Ukrainians facing a challenging winter and many losses.

In addition, US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by Washington to attack Russian territory. This decision is believed to be a response to North Korea's decision to send thousands of troops to support Russia in the Kursk region.

This is the second time the US has allowed Ukraine to use Western weapons on Russian territory, in addition to the HIMARS system, a shorter-range weapon, to stop Moscow's advance in the Kharkiv region by May 2024.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia deployed a total of 120 missiles and 90 UAVs in a large-scale attack across Ukraine. The UAVs included the Iranian-made Shahed type, along with many cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and air-launched missiles.

According to a report from the Ukrainian Air Force, the country's air defense forces shot down 144 out of 210 air targets.

President Zelenskyy asserted that Russia's targets were energy infrastructure across Ukraine, some of which had been damaged by bullets and falling debris.

In addition, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kiev City Military Department, this attack by UAVs and missiles was the strongest in the past three months. A thermal power plant operated by the private energy company DTEK was "seriously damaged".

Russia has repeatedly targeted Kiev's energy infrastructure since launching a special military operation in February 2022, leading to emergency power cuts and blackouts across Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials regularly call on Western allies to strengthen the country's air defenses to counter attacks and assist with repairs.

In addition, on November 17, another Ukrainian UAV targeted a drone factory in Izhevsk, deep inside Russian territory, but did not cause serious damage.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-trien-khai-tan-cong-ten-lua-va-uav-du-doi-nhat-vao-co-so-ha-tang-ukraine-294171.html