Russian Airstrikes Damage Energy Facilities Across Ukraine

Ukrainian officials reported that in missile and drone attacks on Saturday, June 1, Russia damaged energy infrastructure in five regions across Ukraine. According to Reuters, "Ukrenergo," the state electricity network of Ukraine, stated that these attacks affected energy facilities in eastern Donetsk, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, the central Kropyvnytskyi region, and the Ivano-Frankivsk region in the west. The company said, "This morning (Saturday), the Russians carried out another attack on Ukraine's energy facilities. This is the sixth extensive and complex missile and drone attack against Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since March." The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force stated, "Ukraine's air defense shot down 35 out of 53 Russian missiles and 46 out of 47 Russian drones." DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy producer, also reported that two of its thermal power plants were hit during these attacks and that equipment has sustained "serious damage." Regional officials reported that efforts to extinguish fires at several sites are ongoing. There are no immediate reports of casualties. Since mid-April, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, leading to blackouts in many areas of the country and raising the issue of decentralizing electricity production capacity. Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of "Ukrenergo," warned in a televised meeting that "we will certainly face challenges this summer, primarily due to damage to power plants." Meanwhile, with the approval of U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukraine is allowed to use American weapons to target Russian territory. The U.S. authorization is limited to bases in Russia that have targeted the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine in recent attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed this news on Friday, June 1, during a press conference after meeting with NATO foreign ministers. The U.S. Secretary of State did not provide details about the possibility of other targets deep within Russian territory being included. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the U.S. decision, describing it as "a step forward" in defending Ukrainian border villagers. France has also emphasized that Ukraine should be able to target attacking military facilities within Russian territory. Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that Ukraine has every right to use British-donated missiles to attack inside Russian territory. Ukraine can use imported weapons against targets in Russia; the new U.S. authorization allows Ukraine to use its weapons to attack targets in Russian territory. Ukraine signed long-term security agreements with Sweden and Norway. The U.S. sanctioned four entities and one individual involved in the drone program of the Islamic Republic. The G7 expressed "serious concern" over the deepening relations between Russia and North Korea.