More than 80% of consumers in Kyiv were without water on Monday and about 350,000 apartments were without power, Klitschko said. Speaking to DW’s Phil Gale, the Ukrainian politician also said the latest barrage of attacks on infrastructure is part of a ploy by Moscow to stoke discontent among everyday Ukrainians.
“We stand up for each and every one of you in Europe”
With governments across Europe facing mounting public pressure over rising inflation and energy costs, Klitschko urged European Union leaders to maintain the vital political and financial aid Ukraine receives. “Please stay with Ukraine. It is very important for us. Because we are fighting and defending not only our homes and our country. We are defending all of you in Europe,” he told DW. The 51-year-old former heavyweight boxing champion became mayor of Kyiv in 2014 in the wake of the Euromaidan protest movement that toppled pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. “We are fighting for the same democratic values,” Klitschko said in Monday’s interview, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not stop invading Ukraine. “It’s no secret that Putin presents himself as someone who collects Russia’s former assets. To rebuild the Soviet Empire, the Russian Empire.”
Attacks left 80% of Kyiv without water: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko
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The strikes show a change in Russian tactics
Klitschko also said he believes Moscow is deliberately targeting civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine because of setbacks on the front lines. “The Russians are changing tactics. They failed on the front lines and right now they are trying to destroy critical infrastructure,” he said. Attacks on infrastructure in Kyiv have left hundreds of thousands of apartments without electricity and water. Speaking to DW, Klitschko said Russian forces are behaving like “terrorists”. “And people are very angry about it and we are ready to defend our homes, our cities and our homeland,” Klitschko said. On Monday, Ukrainian authorities said the country had been hit by “more than 50” Russian cruise missiles. A similar wave of Russian raids on Ukrainian cities took place in early October after an explosion at the Kerch bridge linking Crimea with Russia. The missile strikes come as Ukrainian forces remain focused on liberating Russian-held territory and preventing Moscow’s troops from seizing new territory. Interview conducted by: Phil Gayle Editor: Darko Janjevic
