The EU and its allies will help Ukraine “repair and replace” energy infrastructure damaged in waves of Russian attacks, European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Simson said that more than 30 percent of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had been affected in recent attacks.
“Ukrainian energy infrastructure is under targeted attack by Russia — a cruel & inhumane tactic to cause human suffering as the winter is approaching,” she tweeted.
Simson said that Ukraine will need “internationally coordinated help” as well as “specific equipment and tools” that would require funding and swift delivery. She said she had assured Zelenskyy that the EU was “reaching out to partners to help with the dedicated support needed.”
Russia launched several major attacks targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure in the past month, with the latest wave of missiles hitting Kyiv and several other regions on Monday. Many Ukrainian cities have experienced power cuts and water outages.
The attacks have sparked fears of severe energy shortages in the country as winter approaches, with Kyiv calling for renewed efforts from Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced air defenses as well as support to shore up its energy supply.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Ukraine’s water supply and electricity infrastructure have seen “significant damage” from Russian strikes.
“Action is needed before winter,” Macron said in a tweet. “We shall swiftly mobilise both the international community and the private sector.
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