Devastating Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have plunged parts of the country into a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by plunging temperatures. As the South and South East brace for sub-zero weather, residents are facing life-threatening shortages of heating, electricity, and water.
The forecast predicts that Ukraine will experience temperatures dropping below minus eight degrees in the coming days, with Russia intensifying its attacks. This extreme cold has forced locals, particularly in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, to seek refuge in Ukraine’s emergency “resilience centers” for warmth and shelter.
Russia reiterated its stance on Thursday, labeling Western forces in Ukraine as “legitimate targets,” following commitments from France and the UK to deploy troops in case of a peace agreement. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson, cautioned against Western military presence, warning that it would be seen as foreign intervention.
In response to the agreement between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to establish a multinational force to safeguard Ukraine, Russia condemned the move as a “new militaristic declaration.” Regional officials in Ukraine have urged residents to store water and brace for prolonged outages, with emergency shelters offering essential services.
Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko, leading the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, condemned the deliberate attacks on civilians as a form of terrorism to create a humanitarian crisis. In retaliation, Ukraine has targeted Russian energy facilities to disrupt the Kremlin’s funding for the war.
Mykola Lukashuk, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, cautioned that there is no clear timeline for restoring power in the hardest-hit regions of Ukraine, advising residents to stockpile water. Recent intelligence from Kyiv suggested a potential Russian plot to orchestrate a large-scale tragedy and blame Ukraine for civilian casualties.
Amid concerns of a Russian “armed provocation” against an Orthodox Church, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service raised alarms, highlighting the risk of an impending event during Orthodox Christmas celebrations. While the immediate threat was thwarted, the potential for such an incident remains, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
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