Four killed in today's Russian missile attack; Ukraine cannot close skies yet – Zelenskyy

Electrical technicians have been working to stabilise Ukraine's energy system after Russia's missile strikes on December 5, but there have been some fatalities; four people were killed.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his evening video message on December 5

Quote: "I'm reporting on [what happened] today. The main result is that 70 Russian missiles were launched, and most of them were shot down: Kalibr, X-101, etc. I am grateful to all our warriors of the air commands East, South and Center. Well done!

I am also grateful to our partners for the air defence systems we are currently using. Every downed Russian missile is concrete proof that terror can be defeated.

But, unfortunately, we still cannot ensure complete security to our skies; there were several hits. Unfortunately, there are victims. As of this moment, the number of those who died during the day from Russian strikes makes four. My condolences to their families and friends."

Details: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that energy companies immediately started working on restoring power. The greatest efforts are taking place in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv oblasts.

In many oblasts, in order to stabilise the system, it was necessary to implement emergency power shutdowns: from Zakarpattia to Kyiv Oblast, from Kirovohrad Oblast to Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. As of this evening, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy oblasts are experiencing the largest number of power outages.

"But we will do everything to restore stability [in the power system]," said the president.

He also noted that there were power outages in Moldova as well.

"This proves once again that Russia's ability to carry out such massive terrorist attacks is a threat not only to Ukraine, but to our entire region, at least", said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

That is why stopping terror is a joint task, he said.

"Tonight, I will talk about this in my address to the expert community of the American Institute for the Study of War and to all our friends in the United States,"  Zelenskyy said.

Background:

• On 5 December, Russia carried out the eighth massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy system since October 10. The Air Force of Ukraine shot down more than 60 missiles fired by Russia over the territory of Ukraine. Air defence forces shot down missiles over the Kyiv, Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
• However, as a result of this attack, energy facilities were hit in the Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Odesa regions of Ukraine. In particular, two infrastructure facilities in Odesa region were damaged.
• One of DTEK's companies[DTEK is Ukraine’s largest private energy company) ed.] was disconnected from the power system due damage caused by the attack.

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