Ukraine’s military says Russia’s overnight attack was the largest ever on its critical infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles, targeting the country’s electrical grid — with about 30 of them getting through. Multiple deaths were reported and power outages have been reported across the country.
A hydroelectric power plant that sits on a dam in Kyiv was among one of the targets.
RELATED STORY | Ukraine seeks retired F-16 pilots to fly its jets while it trains new pilots
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if the dam had collapsed, which it didn’t, much of the city would have flooded, leading to countless deaths.
While the attack was taking place, many residents of Kyiv sought refuge in the city’s subway.
The attack is a reminder that Ukraine’s air defenses are inadequate. A unit in western Ukraine posted a video of soldiers using a machine gun to take out a missile. Usually, more sophisticated equipment is used for that type of counter-operation.
Zelenskyy recorded a message on Monday to Western leaders, saying there should be no restrictions on the range of weapons being sent to the country because Russia has no restrictions on the weapons it’s using.
U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the attack in a statement Monday afternoon.
"I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Russia’s continued war against Ukraine and its efforts to plunge the Ukrainian people into darkness. Let me be clear: Russia will never succeed in Ukraine, and the spirit of the Ukrainian people will never be broken," his statement read in part.
President Biden said in addition to ongoing defense and weapons support, the U.S. would devote new energy equipment to Ukraine so it could repair and rebuild infrastructure.
RELATED STORY | Top Ukrainian commander says his forces now control almost 390 square miles of Russia's Kursk region
This attack comes as Ukraine battles inside Russia’s Kursk region, taking out bridges and other infrastructure that would allow Russia to launch more ground crews to retaliate.
Ukraine has not detailed the purpose of fighting inside Russia, whether it’s a move to humiliate President Vladimir Putin or use this as a negotiating tactic.
