KYIV: Russia launched a uncommon drone and missile assault on western Ukraine in a single day, officers mentioned Thursday (Aug 21), putting targets together with a US-owned electronics plant and injecting additional uncertainty into the efforts to end the war.
The aerial assault on part of Ukraine that has largely averted such centered assaults was one among Russia’s largest this yr and got here amid Moscow’s objections to key elements of proposals that would finish the preventing following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbour.
US President Donald Trump mentioned the battle with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska final week earlier than internet hosting the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the White Home.
In a social media submit on Thursday, Trump criticised his predecessor, Joe Biden, for not offering Ukraine with extra weaponry it must “combat again.”
“It is vitally onerous, if not unimaginable, to win a battle with out attacking an invaders nation,” Trump mentioned. “It’s like a fantastic staff in sports activities that has a improbable defence, however is just not allowed to play offensive. There isn’t a probability of profitable! It’s like that with Ukraine and Russia.”
MULTIPLE ATTACKS ON UKRAINE THIS WEEK
Russia has fired practically 1,000 long-range drones and missiles at Ukraine since Monday’s White Home talks, in keeping with Ukrainian tallies.
European nations are discussing how they’ll deploy army belongings to discourage any postwar Russian assault on Ukraine. However the Kremlin received’t settle for the deployment of any troops from NATO nations, and Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned Wednesday that making safety preparations for Ukraine with out Moscow is pointless.
Putin is able to meet with Zelenskyy to debate peace phrases, Lavrov mentioned Thursday, however solely after key points have been labored out by senior officers in what might be a protracted negotiating course of as a result of the 2 sides stay far aside.
Ukrainian and European leaders have accused Putin of stalling within the peace efforts within the hopes that his greater military, which has been making gradual advances, can seize extra Ukrainian land.
“AS IF NOTHING WERE CHANGING AT ALL”
Russia launched 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles in a single day, the Ukrainian Air Pressure mentioned. The assault principally focused western areas of the nation the place a lot of the army support offered by Ukraine’s Western allies is believed to be delivered and saved. The strikes killed no less than one particular person and injured 15 others, in keeping with officers.
Zelenskyy condemned the assault amid the push for peace, saying it was carried out “as if nothing had been altering in any respect.”
A US electronics plant close to the Hungarian border was struck, in keeping with Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The Flex manufacturing facility is among the largest American investments in Ukraine, Hunder instructed The Related Press.
In the meanwhile of influence, 600 night time shift staff had been on the premises, and 6 had been injured, Hunder mentioned. Russian assaults on Ukraine because it launched its invasion have broken property belonging to greater than half of the chamber’s roughly 600 members, he added
“RUSSIA IS NOT LOOKING FOR PEACE”
“The message is obvious: Russia is just not on the lookout for peace. Russia is attacking American enterprise in Ukraine, humiliating American enterprise,” Hunder mentioned.
Russia’s Defence Ministry mentioned the strikes focused “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial advanced.” It claimed the assault hit drone factories, storage depots and missile launch websites, in addition to areas the place Ukrainian troops had been gathered. Russia has repeatedly denied concentrating on civilian areas of Ukraine.
Within the western metropolis of Lviv, one particular person was killed and three had been injured because the assault broken 26 residential buildings, a kindergarten and administrative buildings, regional head Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on Telegram. The regional prosecutor’s workplace mentioned three Russian cruise missiles with cluster munitions struck the town.
Moscow has proven no indicators of pursuing significant negotiations to finish the battle, Zelenskyy mentioned. He urged the worldwide neighborhood to reply with stronger stress on Moscow, together with harder sanctions and tariffs.
In feedback Wednesday that had been embargoed till Thursday, Zelenskyy mentioned plans for safety ensures will turn into clearer by the top of subsequent week. He mentioned he then expects to be prepared to carry direct talks with Putin for the primary time because the full-scale invasion.
The talks is also carried out in a trilateral format alongside Trump, Zelenskyy mentioned.
A venue for the assembly is being mentioned, and Switzerland, Austria and Turkey are prospects, Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine, in the meantime, has stored up its assaults with domestically produced long-range drones on infrastructure inside Russia that helps Moscow’s battle effort. Amongst different targets, it has hit oil refineries, and Russian wholesale gasoline costs have reached report highs in latest days.
