“`html
Russia Launches Major Offensive Against Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
A large-scale Russian offensive targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure has commenced, coinciding with a period of extreme cold weather. This follows a brief period of reduced hostilities that some international actors had hoped would lead to a more sustained ceasefire.
Intensified Attacks and Infrastructure Damage
On Tuesday, Ukraine experienced a night of intense attacks as Russian forces launched a massive assault combining 450 drones and over 60 missiles. The primary targets were energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv, according to reports from Al Jazeera. These attacks are occurring as temperatures plummet, reaching as low as -17 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Intentional Timing with Extreme Weather
Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of intentionally timing the offensive to coincide with the severe cold snap. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Moscow deliberately waited for the meaningful temperature drop before striking the power grid. The immediate impact on civilians is substantial,with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reporting that 1,170 residential buildings in the capital are without heating during the cold spell.
In Kharkiv,Ukraine’s second-largest city,Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that the attacks were designed to inflict maximum damage and leave the city without heat during the severe weather. Authorities were forced to cut heating to 820 buildings to drain cooling liquid and prevent irreversible freezing of the entire network.
Contradiction of Diplomatic Signals
The renewed hostilities contradict