Russia attacks civilian targets in Ukraine 167,000 times since start of invasion - SSU

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, russia has carried out more than 167,000 attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.

Artem Bondarenko, the Chief of Staff of the Anti-Terrorist Center at the Security Service of Ukraine, made this statement during his address at the 95th plenary session of the UN General Assembly, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that Russia systematically uses terrorist methods as a tool of state policy. Since February 2022, Ukraine has recorded more than 167,000 attacks on civilian targets. The winter attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are particularly telling examples of Russian terror. Their goal was to deprive millions of people of electricity, heat, water, and other basic necessities for survival in conditions of extremely low temperatures,” Bondarenko noted.

He also emphasized that, in addition to strikes on civilian infrastructure, russia is active in other areas as well. In particular, it constantly carries out cyberattacks and recruits Ukrainian citizens for terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage.

“Ukraine is systematically countering the enemy’s attempts to recruit Ukrainians for sabotage and terrorist acts through online platforms. In most such cases, Russian intelligence services try to exploit vulnerable population groups and minors,” added the the Chief of Staff of the SSU’s Anti-Terrorist Center.

He raised the issue of nuclear safety, as russia regularly poses threats to the operation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Among these threats are military operations near nuclear power plants, strikes on radioactive waste storage facilities, and attacks on energy infrastructure linked to nuclear facilities.

"The occupation and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, combined with Russia’s deployment of nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory, have created an unprecedented situation of nuclear pressure and intimidation that poses a threat to the entire European continent. Ukraine is convinced that effectively countering terrorism in the context of armed conflicts requires strengthened international coordination, the protection of critical infrastructure, and accountability for those responsible for attacks on the civilian population,” Bondarenko concluded.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, russia launched a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv overnight. A woman was killed, and fires engulfed warehouses and garages.

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