Russia resumes airstrikes on Ukraine... Focused attacks on energy facilities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] Russia resumed missile strikes on major cities nationwide, including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, after two days.

On the 17th (local time), according to AP and AFP, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said, "Missiles are currently flying over Kyiv," adding, "Gas production facilities are being bombed, and businesses in Dnipro are also under attack." The attacks reportedly targeted energy infrastructure in Kyiv, the southern port city of Odesa, and central Dnipro.

The Kyiv city authorities announced that two missiles were intercepted over the region, and Oleksiy Kuleba, governor of Kyiv Oblast, stated, "The air defense system was activated in Kyiv." Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office, reported, "Several explosions occurred in Dnipro," noting that "two infrastructure sites were damaged and one person was injured."

Meanwhile, air raid alarms sounded across Ukraine, and city authorities in northeastern Kharkiv and Poltava, as well as western Khmelnytskyi and Rivne, urged residents to take shelter in air raid shelters.

This is the first large-scale airstrike on Ukraine since the 15th, two days ago. On the 15th, Russia launched about 100 missiles, carrying out the largest airstrike targeting energy infrastructure since the start of the war. As battlefield losses increase and winter approaches, Russia continues to intensify missile strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities. Consequently, a severe cold wave is expected to begin in Ukraine this week, raising concerns that damage to energy infrastructure will exacerbate civilian suffering.