On 9-10 October 2022, Russia launched at least 84 cruise missile and 24 drone strikes at civilians and energy infrastructure targets across Ukraine, including in the cities and regions of Kyiv, Zhytomir, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, Rivne, Kharkiv, Konotop, Dnipro, Ivano-Frakniv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Khremenchuk, Sumy, Kirovograd and Transcarpathia. 

This latest wave of missile strikes is the most widespread and violent attack Russia has carried out since the early weeks of the war and clearly targets the country’s energy infrastructure, as well as civilians. Dozens of people have lost their lives and many more have been injured.

These Russian missiles were launched from naval vessels in the Caspian and Black seas and the missiles launched from the Black sea illegally violated Moldova’s air space on the way to their targets. This adds an additional layer of strain to regional tensions.

Today, the Lukashenka regime in Belarus announced it will deploy a joint military task force with Russia on the country’s western borders.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest wave of terror unleashed on the Ukrainian people and critical Ukrainian infrastructure by Russia and is deeply concerned by this latest increase in wider regional tensions. 

Ana Otilia Nuțu, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee, said:

“Europe and the world must intensify their military, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine to ensure Ukraine wins this war. What Ukraine needs urgently is for the West to no longer self-deter and hesitate in delivering fast all military equipment that Ukraine is asking for, from air defense to long range missiles. We are appalled by Lukashenka’s move to deploy Russian troops on its territory and thus exacerbate the already tense situation in the region. Lukashenka’ s regime capacity to fuel military escalation in the region must be stopped.”