Russia Launches Missile Attacks across Ukraine
2022-12-30
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1Russia struck several areas in Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, with missiles Thursday.
2It was the biggest Russian attack in weeks.
3Russian forces targeted power stations and other important infrastructure during the freezing winter weather.
4Ukraine's military chief said early reports suggest Russia fired 69 missiles at energy facilities and Ukrainian forces shot down 54 of them.
5Several people were wounded.
6A series of Russian strikes on power and water supplies have increased the Ukrainian population's suffering.
7Russia has launched attacks almost weekly since October.
8At the same time, Russian forces struggle to hold occupied positions and to move forward.
9Ukraine used its air defense systems in Kyiv Thursday to resist the strikes, said area officials.
10Sounds of explosions were heard in the city.
11At least three people were wounded and hospitalized, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
12He warned of power outages in the capital, asking people to save water and to charge electronic devices.
13After more than 10 months of fighting, Russia and Ukraine are in a stalemate.
14The Ukrainian military has reclaimed areas of Russian-occupied territory in the country's northeast and south.
15It continues to resist Russia's attempts to seize all the industrial Donbas area in the east.
16Russia has targeted Ukrainian power stations and other important infrastructure.
17Russia is trying to force Ukraine to negotiate on Russian terms.
18The time between strikes has increased in recent weeks, however.
19Some military experts say Russia is trying to conserve its supply of missiles.
20The Ukrainian military reported success in shooting down Russian missiles and explosive drones after earlier attacks.
21But some still reached their targets.
22Most cities have gone without heat, internet service and electricity for hours or days at a time.
23Many explosions also took place in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which is in eastern Ukraine.
24Other attacks took place in Lviv near the border with Poland, officials said.
25About 90 percent of Lviv was without electricity, the city's mayor wrote on social media service Telegram.
26A Telegram channel connected to the presidential press service of Belarus said a Ukrainian missile landed in Belarusian territory early Thursday.
27It said the missile could have landed there accidentally.
28Nobody was wounded.
29The Belarusian Defense Ministry said later that the missile was shot down by Belarusian air defenses.
30Belarus is a close Russian ally.
31Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday that his nation wants peace talks within two months at the United Nations.
32He said Russia must face a war-crimes court before his country directly talks with Russia.
33He said other nations should feel free to talk with the Russians.
34On Thursday, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman dismissed the proposal as being influenced by the United States.
35Russian officials have said that any peace plan can only go forward if Ukraine recognizes Russia's control over the areas it annexed in September.
36The West does not recognize Russia's claims in Ukraine.
37I'm Dan Novak.
1Russia struck several areas in Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, with missiles Thursday. It was the biggest Russian attack in weeks. Russian forces targeted power stations and other important infrastructure during the freezing winter weather. 2Ukraine's military chief said early reports suggest Russia fired 69 missiles at energy facilities and Ukrainian forces shot down 54 of them. Several people were wounded. 3A series of Russian strikes on power and water supplies have increased the Ukrainian population's suffering. Russia has launched attacks almost weekly since October. At the same time, Russian forces struggle to hold occupied positions and to move forward. 4Ukraine used its air defense systems in Kyiv Thursday to resist the strikes, said area officials. Sounds of explosions were heard in the city. 5At least three people were wounded and hospitalized, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. He warned of power outages in the capital, asking people to save water and to charge electronic devices. 6After more than 10 months of fighting, Russia and Ukraine are in a stalemate. The Ukrainian military has reclaimed areas of Russian-occupied territory in the country's northeast and south. It continues to resist Russia's attempts to seize all the industrial Donbas area in the east. 7Russia has targeted Ukrainian power stations and other important infrastructure. Russia is trying to force Ukraine to negotiate on Russian terms. The time between strikes has increased in recent weeks, however. Some military experts say Russia is trying to conserve its supply of missiles. 8The Ukrainian military reported success in shooting down Russian missiles and explosive drones after earlier attacks. But some still reached their targets. Most cities have gone without heat, internet service and electricity for hours or days at a time. 9Many explosions also took place in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which is in eastern Ukraine. Other attacks took place in Lviv near the border with Poland, officials said. About 90 percent of Lviv was without electricity, the city's mayor wrote on social media service Telegram. 10Peace Talks Appear Unlikely 11A Telegram channel connected to the presidential press service of Belarus said a Ukrainian missile landed in Belarusian territory early Thursday. It said the missile could have landed there accidentally. Nobody was wounded. 12The Belarusian Defense Ministry said later that the missile was shot down by Belarusian air defenses. Belarus is a close Russian ally. 13Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday that his nation wants peace talks within two months at the United Nations. He said Russia must face a war-crimes court before his country directly talks with Russia. He said other nations should feel free to talk with the Russians. 14On Thursday, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman dismissed the proposal as being influenced by the United States. 15Russian officials have said that any peace plan can only go forward if Ukraine recognizes Russia's control over the areas it annexed in September. The West does not recognize Russia's claims in Ukraine. 16I'm Dan Novak. 17Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 18______________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20infrastructure - n. structures such as roads, bridges and power stations that are needed for a society to operate 21stalemate - n. a situation in which opposing sides cannot move forward or do anything effective 22conserve - v. to use things carefully to prevent loss or waste 23drone -n. a flying vehicle that operates without a pilot and that can carry out military operations 24drone - n. a type of small aircraft that flies without a pilot 25annex - v. to add territory to a country or area by declaring control over it