Ukraine accuses Russia of large-scale missile attack, Security Council holds emergency meeting

At least 10 people have been killed and 36 injured in a new wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine. The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the new Russian attacks at the request of the Ukrainian president.

Houses and vehicles destroyed after the Russian attack. Photo: CNN

CNN quoted the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy as saying that Russia's large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure yesterday (November 23) affected most power plants and forced them to stop operating, leaving the vast majority of people without electricity.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, the Russian missile attack has forced all nuclear power plants and most thermal and hydroelectric power plants to go into emergency mode, cutting off power to the national grid. Transmission facilities have also been damaged. As a result, most electricity consumers across Ukraine are in the dark. The power shortage could affect the supply of heat and water.

The ministry said engineers were working to restore power as soon as possible but that the extensive damage would take time.

Many places in Ukraine have lost power. Photo: Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky said the country would rebuild infrastructure damaged by Russian airstrikes and praised the spirit of its people. "We will rebuild everything and overcome all difficulties because the Ukrainian people cannot be broken," Zelensky said in a short video posted on Telegram.

The leader instructed Ukraine’s permanent representative to the United Nations to request an urgent meeting of the Security Council on Russia’s November 23 attacks. The Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at 4 p.m. at Ukraine’s request.

Photo: Reuters

The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on November 23, Russia launched large-scale missile attacks on Ukraine’s vital infrastructure using strategic aircraft and ships of the Black Sea Fleet. Accordingly, 10 Tu-95MS aircraft launched missiles from the Volgodonsk district of Rostov region (Russia) and from the Caspian Sea, as well as from two small missile carriers in the Black Sea into Ukraine.

The Russian military launched a total of 70 Kh-101/Kh-55 missiles and Kalibr cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defense systems destroyed 51 missiles and 5 Russian Lancet drones in southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi confirmed that 10 people were killed in yesterday's Russian attacks. The official added: "In the period from October 10 to November 23, Russia carried out nearly 600 missile attacks on Ukrainian territory."