Intensified Russian Aggression on Ukraine's Critical Infrastructure
Zelenskyy advocates intensified measures against Russia in light of the upcoming G7 meeting
A Blatant Escalation of hostilities: In a chilling escalation of its assault on Ukraine, Russia has stepped up attacks on civilian energy facilities, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to appeal to the leading industrial nations for increasing pressure on Moscow ahead of the G7 summit in Canada.
An Unrelenting Onslaught:
Citing the brazen continuation of Russian assaults despite promises of peace by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Zelensky declared the attacks as increasingly cowardly. The President accuses Russia of orchestrating these attacks under the cloak of the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. "There's no evidence that anyone in Moscow is preparing to end the war or take diplomacy seriously," he asserted.
The Nuclear Threat:
Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had alerted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US about a potential Russian threat to Ukraine's nuclear power infrastructure, though he declined to share specifics. He castigated Putin for attempting to present himself as a mediator in the Middle East, calling it cynical.
A Call for Tougher Sanctions:
To combat sanctions evasion, Zelensky urged the G7 nations, including Germany, to implement penalties targeting banks and the financial sector that would truly impact Russia. He reiterated his demand for a "real oil price cap" to reduce Russia's energy revenue and intensify the financial toll.
Zelensky to Attend G7:
Expected to attend the meeting as a guest, Zelensky views the summit as an invaluable platform to rally Ukraine's allies for extended military and financial support against the Russian invasion.
A Worrying Trend:
Despite earlier sanctions, Russia's war on Ukraine has persisted for more than three years, with an alarming increase in attacks lately. Since the beginning of the current month, Russia is reported to have deployed over 2,800 drones, nearly 3,000 guided bombs, and approximately 140 rockets and cruise missiles against Ukraine. There were 183 drone attacks and 11 rocket and cruise missile attacks alone in the span of the night from Saturday to Sunday.
Targeted City of Kremenchuk:
Most of the attacks focused on the city of Kremenchuk in the central Ukrainian region of Poltava, where Russians have been shelling an oil processing plant since the war's inception. This facility is crucial for fueling Ukraine's armed forces. The attacks reportedly caused damage to the energy infrastructure, although no casualties were reported. Russian Ministry of Defense likewise acknowledged the attacks.
Shaking the Foundations of Peace: The recurring targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure underscores the pressing need for increased international pressure to bring an end to the senseless devastation and bring peace to Ukraine.
In response to the intensified Russian aggression on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for tougher political measures against Russia, specifically targeting banks and the financial sector, as a means to combat sanctions evasion. Amidst these escalating war-and-conflicts, Zelensky accuses Russia of orchestrating these attacks under the cloak of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, claiming there's no evidence that anyone in Moscow is preparing to end the war or take diplomacy seriously.
