Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski denounced Thursday before European Union leaders gathered at the summit in Brussels a new wave of Russian attacks against civilians and infrastructure, putting more than 80 populations and the city at risk Jershon.
In a new intervention by videoconference before the European Council, the Ukrainian president has warned of the situation that the country is going through and has asked to pay attention to possible attacks on the Kajovka hydroelectric power plant and dam.
The offensive against this infrastructure could trigger floods that devastate 80 villages and the city of Jerson, in addition to affecting the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant, European sources have reported on Zelenski’s speech.
“Russian terror against our energy facilities is aimed at creating for Ukraine as many problems as possible with electricity and heat this fall and winter so that as many Ukrainians as possible move to their countries,” the Ukrainian president said.
“The terrorist state — Russia — has already worsened social conditions in your countries, but it wants to make them even worse by provoking a wave of displaced people,” warned Zelensky, who has urged the EU to respond to Moscow’s threats.
After thanking the supply of air defense systems, he has asked the EU to follow the path of sanctions and increase pressure against Russia and countries that collaborate with aggression such as Iran. “More systematic steps are needed,” he has said, after the Twenty-Seven approved restrictions on the supply of drones.
“Russia must pay for this terror, and this must be reflected in the EU’s ninth sanctions package. Iran must be deprived of any possibility or even desire to supply drones,” he stressed.
“Strong message from President Zelensky at the European Council. The Kremlin continues to kill civilians and strikes non-military targets and critical infrastructure,” said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in a message on social networks.
According to the former Belgian Prime Minister, the attacks on civilian targets show the “true face” of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “To the people of Ukraine: the EU is on your side for as long as it takes,” he stressed.
The Ukrainian authorities have denounced this Thursday new attacks with kamikaze drones, in this case against the city of Mikolaiv (south). Among the civil infrastructure, the drones have hit an educational center.