(5 Apr 2024)
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RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Undisclosed location, Ukraine – 31 March 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Samya Kullab, AP correspondent:
“Russia has recently intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching missiles and drones across the country targeting power plants. I am currently in one of the plants that was hit on March 22nd during an excessively intense attack. As you can see behind me, the damage is quite extensive, and it’s unclear when this plant will be operational again. The attacks did occur at an unusual time. Often we anticipate Russia attacking energy infrastructure at the peak winter season when Ukrainians are in high demand for power because of the cold weather. These attacks occurred around the spring. It signals a new tactic by Moscow to completely destroy Ukraine’s energy security. One plant manager here told us that it seems that Russia seeks to bring Ukraine back to the 17th century with these attacks. At the same time, Russian forces are also advancing steadily and along the front line as forces face, continue to face, severe ammunition shortages. It means that the future continues to look bleak for Ukraine on several fronts.”
++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
Russia is attacking Ukraine’s energy sector with renewed intensity and alarming accuracy, signalling to Ukrainian officials that Russia is armed with better intelligence and fresh tactics in its campaign to annihilate the country’s power generation capacity.
The AP was given access to two thermal power plants damaged in a recent drone and missile attack that plunged large swathes of the country into darkness. The destruction is massive.
Video shot for AP by Vasilisa Stepanenko
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