Russia fires dozens of missiles and drones at Ukraine's capital as North Korean troops start fighting in Kursk
CBSNov 13
Russian Attack on Ukraine's Power Grid Triggers Blackouts
Above: A locomotive passes under a destroyed bridge on a heavily damaged railway track in the city on Nov. 16, 2024 in Pokrovsk, Ukraine. Image copyright: Kostiantyn Liberov/Contributor/Libkos/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said Russian forces launched around 120 missiles and 90 drones in a "massive" air attack on the power infrastructure across the country, including in Kyiv and the regions of Donetsk, Lviv and Odesa.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's air defense destroyed over 140 out of 210 air targets. "The enemy's target was our energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine. Unfortunately, there is damage to objects from hits and falling debris," he added.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's renewed campaign to destroy Ukraine's battered power grid shows Moscow's growing desperation and a callous disregard for human life and international law as the war enters its third year. The Kremlin isn't hell-bent on a settlement but on the destruction of the Ukrainian state. The international community must maintain strong support for Ukraine to defend against this aggression.
Pro-Russia narrative
Ukraine has been attacking deep within Russia, including targeting energy installations such as oil storage facilities and refineries, using kamikaze drones. Moscow must use high-precision weapons and strike drones on Ukraine's military airfields and gas production facilities to weaken its forces and send a message that those using Western long-range weapons systems against Russia will face devastating consequences.