War in Ukraine: several dead in a Russian strike in Kharkiv… update on the situation

Trois personnes ont été tuées et 29 autres blessées samedi dans une frappe russe menée contre un immeuble résidentiel de la ville de Kharkiv. EPA – SERGEY KOZLOV

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Saturday, June 22, 2024, discover the latest news about this conflict.

Energy installations targeted by Russian missiles and drones

Russia launched a new salvo of missiles and drones on Ukraine on Saturday, damaging energy installations in the southeast and west of the country and injuring at least two employees while causing record deaths. ;#39;electricity imports. National operator Ukrenergo said its facilities in the Zaporizhia region (southeast) and Lviv (west) were hit in what is the second major attack suffered this week. Two of its employees were injured and taken to hospital in the Zaporizhia region, the company added. Russia also attacked gas infrastructure in the west of the country, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said. "After eight major enemy attacks on the power system, the situation in the energy sector remains difficult", said the ministry in a press release.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces used long-range missiles and drones fired from air and sea aircraft to hit munitions depots and energy infrastructure described as participating in Ukrainian military production. The Ukrainian Navy said it was the first time since the Russian invasion in February 2022 that Russia launched missiles from the Sea of ​​Azov, rather than of the Black Sea. "It's a turning point", admitted the spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy, Dmitro Pletenchouk on local television. Ukraine will import 33,559 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, the ministry added, a record amount. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 12 of 16 missiles and 13 drones launched by Russia, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Russia has intensified its bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure since March, destroying half of the country's available production capacity and causing a serious energy crisis.

Several dead in Russian strike in Kharkiv

Three people were killed and 29 others injured on Saturday in a Russian strike on a residential building in the city of Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the death toll was three and 29 injured. Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehoubov said four people were seriously injured in the attack. Images posted online showed a building in ruins. "This Russian violence (perpetrated with) guided bombs must stop, and it can be stopped", Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

"Our partners must make important decisions to enable us to stop military aviation and Russian terrorists wherever they are." Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said four strikes had been carried out. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city located around thirty kilometers from the Russian border, has been regularly bombed since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.