In the wake of a "massive" Russian drone and missile assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for a mutual halt to aerial attacks on critical facilities. The intense strike, launched on Friday, targeted energy sites across Ukraine from Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil in the west.
Zelenskyy's plea comes as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its fourth year, with Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow increasingly advocating for an end to hostilities. "Ukraine is ready to go the way of peace, and it is Ukraine that wants peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop the war," Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched at least 58 missiles and nearly 200 drones, causing significant damage to energy facilities. Emergency services in the Kharkiv region were seen battling fires on streets strewn with debris, illustrating the immediate impact of the attacks.
Despite these calls for a ceasefire, the Kremlin has dismissed the possibility of a temporary halt to aerial operations in Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy's proposal has garnered international support. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently hosted Zelenskyy, has expressed backing for the truce initiative.
As the international community watches, the prospect of establishing real peace hinges on both Russian and Ukrainian commitments to stopping aerial and naval attacks. Zelenskyy's continued advocacy for peace underscores Ukraine's desire to end the conflict and restore stability to the region.
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Zelenskyy again urges air truce after 'massive' Russian attack
cgtn.com
