By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that over 80 Russian missiles were shot down by air defenses amid an overnight attack on the country’s energy infrastructure.
“According to preliminary reports, 93 missiles were launched, including at least one North Korean missile. A total of 81 missiles were shot down, 11 of which were cruise missiles intercepted by our F-16s,” Zelenskyy said on X.
Claiming that Russia also used nearly 200 drones during this time as well, Zelenskyy described the attack as “one of the largest” targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“This is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ‘peace plan’ – to destroy everything. This is how he wants 'negotiations.' … He is neither limited in long-range capabilities nor in acquiring the necessary components to produce missiles,” Zelenskyy further said.
The Ukrainian president also said Thursday night’s “massive” attack must be met with a “massive” reaction, expressing that sanctions against Russia must be strengthened to have a real impact on Russia’s missile production.
“Patriots are needed to shoot down these missiles and prove that terror will not achieve its goals. … Putin won’t be stopped by empty talk – strength is what is needed to bring peace. Strength that is not afraid of its ability to confront and stop evil,” he added.
The Ukrainian private energy provider DTEK said on Telegram that an unspecified number of its thermal power plants were targeted during the airstrike, resulting in serious damage to equipment.
Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said fragments from a downed missile resulted in damage to a private transport company and eight trucks.
In the eastern Ternopil region, the regional military administration said on Telegram that half of energy consumers in the region have no access to electricity.
In a later statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said it launched a mass airstrike on critical fuel and energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that support the operation of the country’s military-industrial complex.
It said the airstrikes were a response to Ukraine’s missile strike on the Taganrog military airfield in Russia’s southern Rostov region on Wednesday, during which Moscow claimed it downed six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles fired by Ukraine.
Ukraine did not comment on Wednesday's incident.