Energy giant Naftogas has reported sustaining “critical” damage in the long-range operation
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| FILE PHOTO. © Sputnik/Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation |
Russian forces have struck multiple Ukrainian military facilities and the gas infrastructure that powers them in an overnight long-range operation, the Defense Ministry reported on Friday.
The ministry said missiles and long-range drones launched overnight from several platforms were used in the barrage and that all designated targets were hit.
Ukrainian state-owned energy company Naftogaz described the attack as the largest strike on gas extraction sites in the country to date, adding that some of the damage was “critical.” The company said sites in the Kharkov and Poltava regions came under attack by about 35 missiles – many of them ballistic – and some 60 drones, and claimed the strikes were “without military sense.” Moscow has said its forces do not target purely civilian infrastructure.
Kiev has emphasized long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and other elements of energy infrastructure as a key element of its strategy and has pressed Western partners to support domestic production of drones and missiles.
Ukraine also intends to export some domestically produced weapons to help cover budget shortfalls. Kiev expects foreign backers to compensate for the remaining deficit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned this week that Ukrainian attacks on sensitive infrastructure, including attempts to damage nuclear facilities, risk retaliation.
“This is a dangerous game,” he said at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi. “People on the other side must realize: if they play it, what would stop us from responding in kind against their working nuclear power plants? They should consider that.”
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