During the night, Russian forces struck the energy infrastructure in the Poltava region. Particularly insidiously, they launched a second missile strike while emergency services were already on site extinguishing the fire. At present, dozens of injuries have been reported. Regrettably, four people have died, including two rescuers. These include Hero of Ukraine Viktor Kuzmenko, who had responded to over 50 incidents of shelling, and Dmytro Skryl, who had served in the emergency services for over 20 years. Our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones.
The Russians also struck the Kharkiv region, injuring four people, one of whom died. In the Dnipro region, they attacked critical infrastructure, injuring three people. In Pavlohrad, power lines were damaged, leaving thousands of families without electricity. There were also strikes in Zaporizhzhia and the Kyiv region, where three people were injured.
Overall, the main targets for Russia this night were our energy infrastructure facilities. It is utterly cynical to request silence for propaganda celebrations while launching such missile and drone attacks in the days leading up to them. Russia can cease fire any day, which would halt the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are required to achieve it. Ukraine will act reciprocally.