The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

Lukashenko. Sergei Bobylev / AP  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

Lukashenko: If we attack, we fight with Russia  

 

Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko warns that the country will join the war on Russia's side if an attack were to take place on Belarusian soil, The Guardian reports. 

 

- I am ready to fight on the Russian side from Belarusian territory. But only if someone - if only a single soldier - enters our territory (from Ukraine) with weapons to kill my people.  

 

Lukashenko has repeatedly denied plans to join the war, although the failed Russian offensive against Kyiv early in the invasion was launched from Belarus. 

 

In recent months, Russia and Belarus have expanded their military cooperation and, among other things, held joint exercises.  

 

Russian bomber. AP 

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles  

Russia is said to be planning an escalation of airstrikes  

 

The Russian Ministry of Defense is planning a significant escalation of airstrikes in Ukraine. This is stated by an official source for independent Russian Stories, according to the independent site Meduza. 

 

- Until now, they have held back. Now they have decided to change tactics, says the source.  

Ukraine's air defenses have been significantly strengthened with the help of systems from the West. The source says the new tactic will lead to Russian planes and helicopters being "shot down in droves", but adds that it will also cause problems for Ukrainian forces.  

 

Power outage at restaurant in Butja. Daniel Cole / AP 

 

Russian invasionUkraine's response  

Ukraine: The worst attacks on the power grid are over 

 

The worst Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure are likely over, says Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of the state power company Ukrenergo, according to Bloomberg.  

 

The Ukrainian air defense has improved in parallel with the deterioration of the attack capabilities of the Russian forces, he says. 

 

- The enemy has largely lost their ability to inflict significant damage.  

 

Since September, around 40 percent of Ukrainian power plants have been damaged in Russian attacks, leading to widespread blackouts throughout the country. 

 

Electrician works in Kyiv. Daniel Cole / AP 

 

Russian invasionUkraine's response  

Underground substations are planned in Kyiv  

 

To secure the power supply, Ukrainian authorities and the state power company Ukrenergo plan to move substations to underground bunkers, protected from robots and drones. This is reported by Forbes Ukraine according to the site Meduza. 

 

Oleksandr Charthenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Energy Research, says only the most important of the city's 90 substations will be moved underground. The process involves digging pits for the bunkers, making them watertight and installing ventilation systems.  

 

A source in the energy sector tells Forbes that the first goal is to build two underground stations "as soon as possible". The work is believed to be ready by next winter.