Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized recent airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread blackouts, as part of the Kremlin’s strategy to “demilitarise” its neighbour. Putin made these remarks following a barrage of aerial attacks launched by Moscow on Thursday, specifically targeting energy facilities across Ukraine.
During a meeting at the Kremlin with Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, Putin explained, “We assume that in this way we have an influence on the Ukrainian military-industrial complex.”
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The Russian leader further justified the strikes as retaliation against Kyiv’s alleged targeting of Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, amidst the ongoing conflict. “We have seen recently a series of strikes on our energy sites and we were obliged to respond,” Putin asserted. Putin claimed that Russia refrained from targeting Ukrainian electrical installations during the winter months “for humanitarian reasons,” citing concerns about disrupting essential services like hospitals.
Notably, Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the winter of 2022-2023 led to prolonged blackouts and heating shortages affecting millions of people. Although there were fewer attacks on Ukraine’s electrical grid last winter, a new wave of assaults began in early March, culminating in Thursday’s strikes.
Reports indicate that Russia conducted approximately 40 drone attacks, resulting in the destruction of a power station in the Kyiv region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his calls for additional air defense systems during a visit to Lithuania, underscoring the ongoing security challenges faced by Ukraine amidst the escalating conflict.
