Day 326: Dnipro Death Toll Rises To 23

Facts

• Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian missile hit a nine-story building in the eastern city of Dnipro on Saturday, killing at least 23 civilians and leaving over 70 injured, including 13 children, according to the State Emergency Service. Rescue workers were searching for survivors under the rubble on Sunday as more than 40 residents are still missing.¹
• In the last 24 hours, Russian troops reportedly launched three air strikes, 57 missile attacks, and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems 69 times across Ukraine. Local media reported that 21 civilians were killed and at least 74 injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while five people were killed and four more injured in the Donetsk region. Two people were reported injured in Kherson.²
• Meanwhile, Russian missile attacks on energy infrastructure in several cities forced Kyiv to introduce emergency blackouts in most regions of Ukraine. Ukrenergo, which runs the power grid, said on Sunday that power facilities were being restored but admitted the attacks had 'increased the energy deficit.'³
• In his nightly address, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the international community to send additional military aid to Ukraine. 'Is it possible to stop the Russian terror? Yes, it is. Can it be done in any other way than on the battlefield in Ukraine? Unfortunately, no... What is needed for this? The weapons that our partners have in their warehouses and that our warriors are waiting for,' he stated.⁴
• Meanwhile, after Russian forces claimed to have taken control of the salt-mining town of Soledar, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin said that Moscow's military operation is going according to plan, adding, 'I hope that our fighters will please us even more with the results of their combat.'⁵
• On Saturday, Ukrainian forces denied they had ceded control of the town. However, the Institute for the Study of War — a US military think-tank — cast doubt on Kyiv's claim, saying it's unlikely that it still holds positions in Soledar.⁵

Sources: ¹Ukrayinska Pravda, ²UKRINFORM, ³Le Monde.fr, ⁴Euronews and ⁵Reuters.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by HRW. Repeated strikes on the energy infrastructure that Ukrainians depend on for electricity, water, and heat — as winter temperatures plunge — is a central part of the Kremlin’s strategy. Now, by indiscriminately targeting civilian areas, Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. This continuing barbarity must be confronted.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are a direct consequence of the failure of the country's leadership to meaningfully engage in peace talks and their belief they can defeat Russia on the battlefield. These attacks will stop once a more sober position is reached.