TRANSCRIPT
Ukrainian officials say three western regions of their country have been left without power, following Russian drone and missile attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russia's strike took place over several hours with President Vladimir Putin saying his country launched 90 missiles and 100 drones in response to Ukraine's firing of Western missiles at Russian territory.
Ukraine's energy system has been a long-term target for Russian attacks, and Associated Press reporter Hanna Arhirova - who's based in central Ukraine - says the country has been finding it more difficult to cope:
"It started attacking Ukraine's energy system two years ago in autumn, and since then Ukraine's energy system was devastated and it has lost a significant part of its infrastructure. That's the reason why rolling blackouts have become a common thing. But every such big attack actually makes it more difficult for the energy system, and people have to cope with longer hours spent in darkness."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of more strikes on Ukraine with Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles, if Ukraine continues its strikes on Russia.
"Currently, the Ministry of defence and the General Staff of the Russian Army are selecting targets for strikes on Ukrainian territory. These could be military facilities, defence industry enterprises, or decision-making centres in Kyiv. Moreover, the Kyiv regime has repeatedly attempted to strike Russian state-important facilities in St Petersburg and Moscow. And these attempts continue."
The Oreshnik missile is equipped to carry six warheads and flies at 10 times the speed of sound.
President Putin claims it can't be intercepted by any modern air defence systems.
Oreshnik can penetrate underground bunkers and releases dozens of submunitions that, according to Mr Putin "turn everything to dust".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his Russian counterpart's comments about new missiles as "sabre-rattling", aimed at disrupting efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants to escalate the situation now so that President Trump (President-elect Donald Trump) fails to end the war. Putin is the only culprit in this war and the only one who believes in war. That is why Putin's escalation now is a form of pressure aimed at eventually forcing the President of the United States to accept Russia’s terms."
In a written statement, US President Joe Biden spelled out his country's support for Ukraine:
"This attack is outrageous and serves as yet another reminder of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defence against Russian aggression. On this day, my message to the Ukrainian people is clear: the United States stands with you. Earlier this year, and at my direction, the United States began prioritising air defence exports so they go to Ukraine first. The Department of Defence has delivered hundreds of additional air defence missiles to Ukraine, as a consequence of this decision, and further deliveries are underway.”
Meanwhile the United Nation's Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča [[Mirra-slau Yensha]] is warning against any further escalation in Ukraine.
He's calling on both sides to use restraint.
"We condemn all attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure irrespective of the weapons system used. We urge all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate, and to refrain from any action or rhetoric that could further intensify this war."
Russia says it will respond decisively to any use of US made longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia.
US deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood says America continues to stand by Ukraine.
"The United States stands with the community of nations in support of Ukraine and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our future is at stake. Russia's war threatens our NATO allies, European security, and the fundamental rights enshrined in the UN Charter."
President Vladimir Putin insists he has set no preconditions to start talks with Ukraine on a possible peace settlement, but that terms he set out in June for a deal remained unchanged.
He said in June that Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Ukraine agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Russia.
Ukraine has rejected those conditions as tantamount to surrender.
