Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that the missile strikes across Ukrainian infrastructure was in response to the drone attack on its Black Sea fleet in Crimea over the weekend.
Addressing a news conference in Sochi on Monday, Putin said more action would follow. “That’s not all we could have done,” he told a televised news conference, according to Reuters news agency.
Russia launched a barrage of missiles towards Ukraine, targeting its critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities on Monday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there were 55 cruise missiles, most of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces.
After the attacks, more than 80 per cent of the residents in Kyiv and other regions were left without power and water supplies “due to the damage to a power facility”.
Watch | Russia blames Ukraine for Black sea attack, 350,000apartments left without electricity and water
Northeastern Kharkiv’s Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram that about 140,000 residents were without power after the attacks, including about 50,000 residents of Kharkiv city, the second largest city in Ukraine.
‘Not suspending grain deal’
Putin clarified Russia has not ended participation in the export of Ukrainian grain deal through Black Sea ports, rather they are suspending it.
“We are not saying that we are ceasing our participation in this operation. No, we are saying that we are suspending it,” Putin told the news conference.
He claimed Ukrainian forces were sending their drones in the same route that grain ships were using.
Also read | Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea: Report
“And thus, they created a threat both to our ships, which must ensure the safety of grain exports, and to the civilian ships that are engaged in this,” he said.
“Ukraine must guarantee that there will be no threats to civilian vessels or to Russian supply vessels,” Putin added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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