Russia launches new missile and drone attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine Ukraine and Russia

After the United States and other NATO allies approved Ukraine's use of weapons, Russia on Saturday (first) fired a total of 100 missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy facilities across the country.

at least 19 people were injuredAccording to what was reported by the Associated Press.

“The enemy fired 53 missiles of various types and 47 attack drones,” the Air Force said, adding that it shot down 35 missiles and all the drones except one.

According to Agence France-Presse, two thermal power plants were damaged in the attack. “It was another very difficult night for the Ukrainian energy sector. The enemy attacked two of our thermal power plants. There was severe damage to the equipment,” energy company DTEK said on Telegram.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began two years ago, Russia has launched hundreds of airstrikes on electrical facilities in the country. According to Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galoshenko, Russia attacked facilities in the regions of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zaporizhia, the news agency explained.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in its daily report that it launched an attack on “Ukrainian energy facilities that support the work of the institutions of the military-industrial complex.”

The attacks came “in response to the Kiev regime's attempts to destroy Russian energy and transportation facilities.”

The Ukrainian military claims it is attacking refineries and military installations on Russian territory in retaliation for daily attacks on its cities and energy grid.

This Friday (31), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg downplayed the country's statements and declared that self-defense does not mean escalation of the conflict. (See video below).