KYIV: Russia launched a uncommon drone and missile assault on western Ukraine in a single day, officers stated Thursday (Aug 21), placing targets together with a US-owned electronics plant and injecting additional uncertainty into the efforts to end the war.
The aerial assault on part of Ukraine that has largely averted such centered assaults was one among Russia’s largest this yr and got here amid Moscow’s objections to key features of proposals that might finish the preventing following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbour.
US President Donald Trump mentioned the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska final week earlier than internet hosting the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the White Home.
In a social media publish on Thursday, Trump criticised his predecessor, Joe Biden, for not offering Ukraine with extra weaponry it must “struggle again.”
“It is extremely onerous, if not unattainable, to win a conflict with out attacking an invaders nation,” Trump stated. “It’s like an important group in sports activities that has a improbable defence, however is just not allowed to play offensive. There isn’t a likelihood of profitable! It’s like that with Ukraine and Russia.”
MULTIPLE ATTACKS ON UKRAINE THIS WEEK
Russia has fired almost 1,000 long-range drones and missiles at Ukraine since Monday’s White Home talks, in keeping with Ukrainian tallies.
European international locations are discussing how they’ll deploy army property to discourage any postwar Russian assault on Ukraine. However the Kremlin gained’t settle for the deployment of any troops from NATO international locations, and Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Wednesday that making safety preparations for Ukraine with out Moscow is pointless.
Putin is able to meet with Zelenskyy to debate peace phrases, Lavrov stated Thursday, however solely after key points have been labored out by senior officers in what could possibly be a protracted negotiating course of as a result of the 2 sides stay far aside.
Ukrainian and European leaders have accused Putin of stalling within the peace efforts within the hopes that his larger military, which has been making sluggish advances, can seize extra Ukrainian land.
“AS IF NOTHING WERE CHANGING AT ALL”
Russia launched 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles in a single day, the Ukrainian Air Power stated. The assault principally focused western areas of the nation the place a lot of the army support supplied by Ukraine’s Western allies is believed to be delivered and saved. The strikes killed at the very least one individual and injured 15 others, in keeping with officers.
Zelenskyy condemned the assault amid the push for peace, saying it was carried out “as if nothing have been altering in any respect.”
A US electronics plant close to the Hungarian border was struck, in keeping with Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The Flex manufacturing unit is among the largest American investments in Ukraine, Hunder instructed The Related Press.
In the intervening time of affect, 600 evening shift staff have been on the premises, and 6 have been injured, Hunder stated. Russian assaults on Ukraine because it launched its invasion have broken property belonging to greater than half of the chamber’s roughly 600 members, he added
“RUSSIA IS NOT LOOKING FOR PEACE”
“The message is obvious: Russia is just not on the lookout for peace. Russia is attacking American enterprise in Ukraine, humiliating American enterprise,” Hunder stated.
Russia’s Defence Ministry stated the strikes focused “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial advanced.” It claimed the assault hit drone factories, storage depots and missile launch websites, in addition to areas the place Ukrainian troops have been gathered. Russia has repeatedly denied concentrating on civilian areas of Ukraine.
Within the western metropolis of Lviv, one individual was killed and three have been injured because the assault broken 26 residential buildings, a kindergarten and administrative buildings, regional head Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on Telegram. The regional prosecutor’s workplace stated three Russian cruise missiles with cluster munitions struck the town.
Moscow has proven no indicators of pursuing significant negotiations to finish the conflict, Zelenskyy stated. He urged the worldwide neighborhood to reply with stronger strain on Moscow, together with more durable sanctions and tariffs.
In feedback Wednesday that have been embargoed till Thursday, Zelenskyy stated plans for safety ensures will develop into clearer by the tip of subsequent week. He stated he then expects to be prepared to carry direct talks with Putin for the primary time for the reason that full-scale invasion.
The talks is also performed in a trilateral format alongside Trump, Zelenskyy stated.
A venue for the assembly is being mentioned, and Switzerland, Austria and Turkey are prospects, Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine, in the meantime, has stored up its assaults with domestically produced long-range drones on infrastructure inside Russia that helps Moscow’s conflict effort. Amongst different targets, it has hit oil refineries, and Russian wholesale gasoline costs have reached document highs in latest days.
