UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – The nuclear power plant, under Russian control, was targeted by several drones on Sunday and then again by a device on Monday, according to its administration installed by Moscow. Ukraine in return accuses Russia of attacking itself with its drones.
After drone attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Russians and Ukrainians accuse each other. The destruction to the Ukrainian energy system in recent weeks is massive, says a minister. Volodymyr Zelensky warns that his country will lose the war if expected US aid remains blocked in Congress. Le Figaro takes stock of the situation this Monday, March 8.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of drone attacks on Zaporizhzhia power plant
Moscow and kyiv accused each other on Monday of attacking the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, occupied by Russia in southern Ukraine and periodically targeted by dangerous bombings, using drones. This nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe with six reactors, was targeted by several drones on Sunday then again by a device on Monday, according to its administration installed by Moscow. “Attempts by the Ukrainian armed forces to attack the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant continue”she indicated on Telegram, evoking “a kamikaze drone shot down above the power plant” who is “fell on the roof” of reactor number 6, without constituting a danger for the installation. The day before, the Russian atomic agency Rosatom reported that a drone had crashed into the power plant’s canteen, injuring three people, and others on a loading dock and on the roof of one of the reactors.
Ukraine, for its part, accused Russia of broadcasting “false” information and assured that it was Russian forces who were themselves attacking with drones the power station they have occupied since March 2022. The head of the Ukrainian center for combating disinformation, Andriï Kovalenko, blamed a “campaign of provocation and falsification” of Russia aiming to make people believe “that the threat to the plant and nuclear security comes from Ukraine”. A Ukrainian intelligence spokesperson, Andriï Yussof, previously accused Moscow of carrying out “simulated strikes”. “Ukraine has nothing to do with the slightest armed provocation within the power plant”he assured Sunday.
80% of thermal power plants attacked by Russian strikes, according to a Ukrainian minister
Russian strikes have targeted 80% of Ukrainian thermal power plants and half of hydroelectric power plants in recent weeks, the Ukrainian Minister of Energy reported on Monday, denouncing “the biggest attack” against the country’s energy sector. “We can say that up to 80% of thermal power plants were attacked, more than half of hydroelectric power plants. And a large number of relay stations” of electrical transmission, declared Minister German Galushchenko in a press conference.
The ministry’s press service told AFP that the thermal power plants had been “damaged” by these strikes without however being able to specify the level of damage caused. “This is the biggest attack on Ukraine’s energy sector”he added in reference to this wave of strikes which continues almost daily and has notably caused long power outages in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city.
According to the minister, “scale and impact” of this new wave of attacks “are much more important” than those of the campaign led by Moscow the previous winter, when millions of Ukrainians were deprived of electricity and heating by freezing temperatures. He stressed that the Russian army had modified the drones and missiles used for these bombings, making them “even more dangerous”.
Without American help, Ukraine “will lose the war” warns Zelensky
“If Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war”declared Sunday in a serious tone Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a videoconference exchange with ambassadors of the Ukrainian government’s fundraising platform, United24. “Without support from Congress, it will be difficult for us to win, or even survive.” as a country, he insisted, according to a video of his intervention broadcast on his social networks. “If Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked”further warned the Ukrainian president, estimating that Russia, which invaded the neighboring state in February 2022, would then raise the nuclear threat to frighten Western societies.
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The American program of military and economic assistance to kyiv, amounting to 60 billion dollars (55.3 billion EUR), has been blocked in Congress since last year due to divisions between Democrats and Republicans, while looming the presidential election next November. Its adoption is suspended at the goodwill of supporters of former President Donald Trump, who refuse to examine the text as it stands, due to a dispute over the regulation of immigration in the United States.
Molotov cocktails thrown without flaming against the Russian embassy in Vilnius
Molotov cocktails were thrown, without spreading fire, against the Russian embassy in Lithuania for two consecutive nights, the police of this Baltic country said on Monday. The liquid in the bottles did not ignite, but the wall of the building was damaged, police said, without giving further details on the extent of the damage. The two bottles containing a flammable liquid were thrown between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., on the nights of Saturday to Sunday and Sunday to Monday, according to police. The Lithuanian prosecutor’s office said it had opened a criminal investigation. Lithuania, a former Soviet republic, now a member of the European Union and NATO, is among the most fervent supporters of Ukraine invaded by Russia. Its relations are tense with Russia.
China wants to “strengthen strategic cooperation” with Russia
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday that Beijing wants “strengthen strategic cooperation” with Moscow, reported Russian state media, during a meeting with the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov. “China will support Russia’s stable development under Putin’s leadership”said Wang Yi, according to the RIA Novosti news agency, while Lavrov thanked Beijing for “support” brought to President Vladimir Putin after his recent re-election, according to a video published by Russian media Izvestia on Telegram.