Russia-Ukraine war: UK says Russia increased attacks on civilian infrastructure

The British defense ministry warned that Russia has ramped up its attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The increased attacks follow weeks of gains made by Ukrainian troops.

In the ministry’s intelligence bulletin Sunday, they said Russian forces have increased targeting civilian infrastructure regardless of whether or not there are military targets. The latest strikes include a power grid and a dam. The ministry noted that the increased attacks follow the gains Ukrainian forces were making in its counter-offensive in recent weeks.

“In the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect,” tweeted the ministry. “This category of mission has included strikes against the electricity grid, and a dam on the Inhulets River at Kryvyi Rih.”

“As it faces setbacks on the front lines, Russia has likely extended the locations it is prepared to strike in an attempt to directly undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government,” said the ministry.

The Ukrainian military also said that its forces were able to thwart attacks by Russian troops in areas of Kharkiv and Kherson where the counter-offensives were launched, including parts of the Donetsk region. The military said Ukrainian troops were advancing to the eastern bank of the Oskil river in Kharkiv.

During his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine would continue its pressure on Russia, saying that there would be no “lull” even after Ukrainian troops were able to retake areas formerly occupied by Russians.

US General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said Sunday that nations must stay alert, highlighting the risks of escalation, following threats by Vladimir Putin Friday last week that Moscow would respond more forcefully if Russian troops were further pressured. This led to concerns that Russia may resort to small nuclear weapons or chemical warfare.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the mass graves found in Izyum were proof of Russia’s war crimes and said Russia must be held accountable.

Trudeau, who met with British Prime Minister Liz Truss, said the war was on the agenda during their meeting. Trudeau said that the United Kingdom and Canada are among the countries that have been pushing back against Russia’s actions.

Trudeau said that such actions included “war crimes, include absolutely unacceptable war crimes whether we think of what we found in Bucha or the discovery of mass graves in the reclaimed territories by Ukraine.”