Ukraine’s top diplomat in Washington said his most pressing concern is that Russia will mask its failures on the battlefield by increasing attacks on Ukrainian utilities as winter approaches.
Denys Sienik, charge d’affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy, said Thursday that 54,000 Russian troops were killed or wounded in October.
“Every month we set records,” Mr. Sienik said in a briefing for the D.C.-based Defense Writers Group. “Russians are not advancing on the ground. We have effectively stopped them.”
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He said Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian utilities simply to make life difficult for innocent civilians.
“My biggest fear is that the biggest Ukrainian cities will be without electricity and a water supply and heating, if not for weeks, then for days for sure,” Mr. Sienik said. “It’s not only about air defense capabilities. Russians now are super cruel.”
Olha Stefanishyna was Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. until her dismissal in August. As of now, the position is vacant.
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