Day 250: Russian Missiles Again Target Energy Infrastructure in Kyiv and Other Major Cities

Facts

• A wave of Russian missiles again targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Monday, striking the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, as well as the areas of Mykolaiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad and Chernivtsi.
• Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine’s energy minister, described the development as another "barbaric" attack, adding that, "electric substations, hydropower and heat generation facilities were hit by rockets." Early reports suggest that at least one civilian was killed.
• Ukrainian officials said the country's missile defense systems shot down 44 of more than 50 cruise missiles used in the attacks, but the figures could not be independently confirmed.
• An overnight Russian attack was also reported in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, with local officials stating that Nikopol and Marhanets were struck with rockets, heavy artillery, and drones. One civilian was reported killed and a further civilian was injured.
• While heavy fighting continued in the Donetsk region, primarily near the city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian officials reported that four civilians had been killed and two more injured in the past day. Pro-Russia officials from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) reported that one civilian was killed as a result of Ukrainian attacks in the same time period.
• Elsewhere, after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative over the weekend — citing attacks on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea — Ukrainian officials said that 12 ships carrying grain had nonetheless left the country's ports on Monday.
• However, hundreds more ships remain blockaded. The UN's António Guterres is trying to revive the deal, and has delayed a trip to the Arab League in Algiers to divert attention towards the issue. Russia has called for a UN Security Council meeting on Monday to discuss the subject.

Sources: Guardian and Ukrinform.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by NPR Online News. In withdrawing from the grain deal, Russia is again weaponizing food and exacerbating an already fragile food insecurity situation across the world. Moscow must urgently return to the negotiating table in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal comes after the agreement's terms were blatantly violated, when an attack was made on Russian ships used to safeguard the humanitarian corridor. Given this terrorist act was carried out with the assistance of British specialists, it's unsurprising that Moscow is unwilling to trust western negotiators.

Predictions