European Parliament Tags Russia As State Sponsor Of Terrorism

The European Parliament passed a resolution marking Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” saying Russia's deliberate attacks on civilian targets, including energy infrastructure, schools, and shelters, violate international law, Kyiv Independent reported.

Photo Insert: As the resolution was passed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the UN Security Council to stop Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.

As the resolution was passed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the UN Security Council to stop Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. Zelensky said Russian missile strikes have targeted civilians and critical infrastructure as cold weather sets in.

"The UN Security Council was created as the world's most powerful platform for decisions and actions. Therefore, it must give a clear assessment of the actions of the terrorist state," Zelensky said.

On Nov. 24, Reuters reported that Russia has openly acknowledged targeting Ukraine’s civil power and heating systems with long-range missiles and drones. Moscow says the aim is to reduce Kyiv’s ability to fight and push it to negotiate; Ukraine says the strikes on infrastructure are war crimes.

Russia denies its troops deliberately attack civilians or have committed atrocities. The Ukrainian Air Force said it downed 51 out of 70 Russian missiles and five kamikaze drones on Nov. 23. Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching missiles from aircraft and ships in the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and Rostov Oblast.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said on Nov. 23 that Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector have caused damage worth nearly $2 billion.

Shmyhal said 70 repair teams, comprised of over 1,000 specialists, are working on restoring the country’s power grids.

The attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have also caused power outages in Moldova. "Russia has left Moldova in the dark. We will fix the technical issues and we will have power again. All state institutions are working towards this," Moldovan President Maia Sandu wrote on Facebook.

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