Russia, missile counterattack after emergency evacuation order... escalation with no way out

(Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the situation worsens in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, Russia has issued an emergency evacuation order to residents. Amid Ukraine's intensified offensive, Russia has launched a series of missile retaliations targeting Ukraine's key infrastructure, leading to an inescapable escalation of the conflict.

On the 22nd (local time), the Kherson occupation administration appointed by Russia announced via Telegram, "Due to the urgent situation at the front, increased risk of large-scale shelling, and threats of terrorist attacks, all civilians in Kherson must immediately leave the city." The administration urged residents' safety and ordered all subordinate departments and ministries to evacuate urgently.

Following the loss of the eastern strategic point Lyman to Ukraine's counterattack at the end of last month, Russia is also struggling in the southern occupied territory of Kherson.

Recently, an evacuation order was issued to residents living in Kherson, with thousands leaving over several days. Major foreign media reported that the Kherson occupation authorities urgently ordered all remaining residents to leave by the end of the day.

(Photo by Reuters)

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine passes eight months, the war is intensifying day by day.

While Ukraine strengthens its offensive against Russia, Russia continued indiscriminate airstrikes across Ukraine overnight.

Russia's airstrikes have focused on electricity-related infrastructure, causing large-scale power outages nationwide.

More than one million households in Ukraine experienced blackouts, and facing setbacks such as losing occupied territories on the southern and eastern fronts, Russia has recently targeted Ukraine's power facilities as a primary attack objective.

This is interpreted as an attempt to cut off Ukraine's electricity, heating, water, and gas, inflicting suffering on Ukrainians during the harsh winter.

Ukraine's state-owned power company Ukrenergo reported, "Russia has again launched missile attacks on energy facilities in major networks in western Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's large-scale missile attacks.

President Zelensky stated on social media (SNS), "Russia launched a massive airstrike overnight with 36 missiles. Most of the launched rockets were intercepted," adding, "This airstrike is a malicious attack on critical infrastructure and a typical terrorist tactic."

The Ukrainian Air Force also said in a statement that day, "Russia's missile attacks targeting key infrastructure have begun."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.