Ukrainian authorities warned the population on Monday of the possibility that the country could face a new wave of Russian bombings of critical infrastructure that could affect water and energy supplies, particularly in the capital Kiev.
“It is very likely that the beginning of the week will be marked by such an attack,” spokeswoman for the Ukrainian army’s southern command Natalia Humeniuk, quoted by the French agency AFP, said.
The spokeswoman called the presence of a Russian ship in the Black Sea a sign that an attack could be imminent.
“It is a surface-to-surface missile carrier with eight Kalibr missiles. This indicates that preparations are underway,” Humeniuk said on Ukrainian television.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in a video address on Sunday night that “next week could be just as tough as last week,” referring to Russian bombings that caused massive blackouts in the country, where temperatures plummet as winter approaches.
“Our armed forces are preparing. The whole state is preparing. We are working on all scenarios, including with Western partners,” said Zelensky, urging Ukrainians to be aware of airstrikes warnings.
Zelensky also referred to a “difficult situation” on the frontline, especially in the eastern region of Donetsk, where fighting has been concentrated since the withdrawal of Russian troops from the southern city of Kherson.
After last Wednesday’s Russian attacks, millions of Ukrainians were without power.
National operator Ukrenergo said the country continues to face an electricity shortage affecting 27 percent of households, and emergency power cuts remain in place across Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year, triggering a war that plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
The Kherson region was annexed by Russia on September 30, along with Donetsk, Lugansk and Zaporijia, which is home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
Russia had already annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
Ukraine and the international community in general do not recognize Moscow’s sovereignty over the annexed regions.
Source: DN
