- Missiles were fired over Ukraine early Monday.
- Ukraine has pledged to strengthen its military capabilities in order to counter Russia.
- Enhanced help to Ukraine increased the likelihood of a wider war.
Ukraine vowed to strengthen its armed forces after Russia launched its greatest aircraft strikes on communities since the beginning of the war, forcing civilians to flee to bomb shelters and forcing Kyiv to cease power supplies to Europe.
As missiles ploughed into crossroads, parks, and tourist spots around Ukraine early Monday, 14 people were killed and 97 were injured, according to emergency services.
Explosions were reported in Kharkiv in the east, Dnipro and Kremenchuk in the centre, Zaporizhzhia in the south, and Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, and Zhytomyr in the west, according to Ukrainian officials.
The bombardment of dozens of cruise missiles fired from the air, land, and sea was the most extensive wave of air attacks to hit away from the front lines since the initial volleys on the war’s first day, Feb. 24.
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have authorised “vast” long-range strikes after accusing Ukraine of assaulting a bridge connecting Russia to annexed Crimea. The extent of the strikes, however, indicated that they had been prepared for a longer period of time, according to the US.
Following his meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram that air defence is “the number one priority in our defence cooperation.”
In a late-night speech, he stated, “We will do everything to strengthen our armed forces.” “We’ll make the enemy suffer more on the battlefield.”
Biden informed Zelensky that the United States will provide cutting-edge air defence equipment. The Pentagon said on September 27 that the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System will be delivered over the following two months.
Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, the possibility of a larger war has increased.
According to Antonov, such support, as well as providing Kiev with intelligence, instructors, and battle instructions, increases the risks of a clash between Russia and NATO.
Zelensky, the Monday rush hour strikes were organised to murder people and bring Ukraine’s electrical grid down.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, eleven important infrastructure targets in eight districts were struck, leaving some sections of Ukraine without heat, water, or electricity. He promised to restore the utilities as soon as possible.
Ukraine ceased exporting electricity as it worked to end blackouts at a time when the European Union was already dealing with high power prices that fueled inflation and hampered industrial development.
Setbacks On The Battlefield
Russia launched airstrikes three days after an explosion damaged the bridge it erected after taking Crimea in 2014. Russia blamed Ukraine for the tragic explosion, calling it “terrorism.”
Putin stated that new, unnamed attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have occurred and that it was “absolutely impossible” to ignore such crimes. He has threatened fresh strikes if Ukraine invades Russian territory.
However, the US claimed that such a major Russian operation could not have been organised in a matter of days.
John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokeswoman, “it was probably something they had been planning for quite a while.” That is not to say that the explosion on the Crimea bridge hastened their plans in any way.
Ukraine, which sees the bridge as a military objective assisting Russia’s war effort, praised the explosion without taking credit for it.
Following weeks of military failures, Russian authorities are facing the first sustained internal criticism of the conflict, with state television commentators asking for increasingly stronger measures.
Putin declared annexation of conquered territory, ordered the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of reserve forces, and threatened to use nuclear weapons, Following Ukraine’s victories.
Saturday, Sergei Surovikin, a general in the Russian air force, was appointed commander of the forces in Ukraine, marking Russia’s third top military appointment in the last week. He previously led Russia’s catastrophic air campaign in Syria.
On October 10, 2022, in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a vehicle moves a disabled tank in the Donetsk area of Ukraine.
Russia claims to be launching a “special military operation” in Ukraine to evict nationalists and protect Russian-speaking neighbourhoods. Both the West and Ukraine claim it is an unprovoked assault war.
The Ukrainian defence ministry announced on Monday evening that Russia had carried out at least 84 missile and air strikes, and that 43 cruise missiles and 13 drones had been shot down by Ukrainian air defences.
Russian Ministry of Defense claims that all intended targets were hit. Reuters was unable to confirm any fighting reports independently.
In The Political Scene
The UN General Assembly turned down Russia’s request for a secret vote this week on whether to condemn Russia’s annexation of four partially occupied territories in Ukraine, undermining Russia’s diplomatic efforts.
General Assembly decided to hold a public vote with 107 votes in favour.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, the president of the United Arab Emirates, a member of OPEC+ that rejected the US last week by suggesting significant production cuts, will visit Russia on Tuesday to meet with Putin and advocate for “military de-escalation.”
The White House announced that Biden and the Group of Seven leaders would meet virtually on Tuesday to discuss their commitment to aiding Ukraine.
