UKRAINE SPECIAL FORCES BLOW UP BRIDGE TO CRIMEA: PUTIN ORDERS STRIKES ON CIVILIAN AREAS, ENERGY TARGETS

 

By Michael Shwirtz, Megan Specia, and Austin Ramzy

New York Times 

KYIV, Ukraine – President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia ordered a far-reaching series of missile strikes against cities across Ukraine on Monday morning, hitting the heart of the capital and other areas far from the front line in the broadest aerial assault against civilians and critical infrastructure since the early days of Moscow’s invasion.

The barrage of strikes – from Lviv in the west to Mykolaiv in the south and Kharkiv in the northeast – slammed into civilian areas and apparently also sought to cripple energy facilities as winter approaches. The explosions blew out the windows of buildings in central Kyiv, set vehicles ablaze and sent residents scrambling for shelter at a time when many were heading for school or work.

The attacks demonstrated that Russia still has the ability to strike deep into Ukraine and terrorize civilians, even as Moscow’s forces struggle on the battlefield in the eighth month of their invasion. Ukrainian troops have reclaimed more than 1,200 miles of territory in the east and south in recent weeks, and Mr. Putin has faced mounting criticism of his army’s performance and growing opposition to his call-up of hundreds of thousands of civilians into military service.

At least 10 Ukrainian cities came under attack, and regional officials said that electrical power stations and power lines were among the main targets. Electricity outages disrupted internet service, and several cities were left without power and central heating, officials said.

Ukrainians had been bracing for retaliatory attack following the explosion on Saturday that damaged a bridge linking Russia with Crimea. The strike embarrassed Moscow and could hinder its ability to supply its occupying forces in southern Ukraine.

Russian hard-liners – who have called for a much tougher approach to the war – celebrated the strikes, saying they were a long-awaited sign that the Kremlin was intensifying its attacks against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.