Russian Attacks On Ukraine's Energy, Water Supplies 'Particularly Heinous' — State Department

The State Department on Tuesday pledged its commitment to the victory of a sovereign and independent Ukraine, calling Russia's attacks on Ukrainian water and energy supplies "particularly heinous", TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

In the past 36 hours, Russia has launched nearly 100 missiles, attacking Ukraine’s water and energy supplies. "With temperatures dropping, these Russian attacks aimed at exacerbating human suffering are particularly heinous," spokesperson Ned Price told reporters.

The U.S. is working to deliver air defense systems "so Ukraine can continue to repel these attacks," Price said.

The move came as Ukraine, Turkey and the UN have agreed on Tuesday to not plan today for any ship movements in the Black Sea grain corridor in response to Moscow's threats to drop the deal.

Asked by TURAN's correspondent whether Russia has left the deal temporarily, Price said "it doesn’t really matter. Russia has injected such uncertainty into this initiative, so much uncertainty to the point that today the UN had to announce that, as of tomorrow, there would be no ships moving through the Black Sea corridor."

He went on to add, "whether Moscow’s intention was to raise doubt, whether Moscow’s intention was to actually suspend its involvement in this grain deal, it’s an academic debate; it’s an academic question because the consequences are very real. And they are most real for the millions of people around the world who are living in dire need, who are in the midst of food insecurity – in some places a food emergency – and who now will be suffering because of the consequences that Moscow’s statements have wrought"

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.