The Ukrainian ambassador in Paris does not mince his words.
In an interview with Le
Parisien
published on Saturday, Kiev's representative in Paris believes that Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine are "
not a new strategy
".
These are “
barbaric bombings
”, according to a modus operandi specific to Moscow.
"
It is the choice of a man who has no limits, capable of accepting casualties in his ranks and of killing civilians without scruple
," said the diplomat.
“
Remember the tragedy of Aleppo.
They destroyed infrastructure, bombed hospitals to scare people away and take over empty towns
.”
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The diplomat does not think so well when he says that “
the power cuts in waves are starting
”.
During the night from Friday to Saturday, 36 rocket attacks fell on energy supplier sites.
Faced with these attacks, "
the Ukrainian people are mobilizing very strongly
", and the restrictions requested by the authorities are "
serenely accepted
" by the population, welcomes Vadym Omelchenko.
Since mid-October, Ukrainians have already voluntarily reduced their electricity consumption by 5% to 20% on average on certain days and in certain regions, according to the boss of Ukrenergo.
Destruction of the Kakhovka dam?
Asked about Kherson, a southern city under Russian control where Ukrainian forces are leading an offensive, the diplomat also accuses the Russians of “
using civilians as shields
”.
“
We observed it on several occasions: when the Russians fled, they formed convoys mixing civilians and soldiers to prevent us from bombing
,” he explains.
While the pro-Russian administration has been evacuating civilians since Wednesday, the ambassador sees it as a possible “
signal of a new plan from the Russian leaders
”.
"
We do not exclude that they destroy the Kakhovka dam, to flood the territories
," he says.
Read alsoKherson offensive: why the Kakhovka dam is a vital issue for Ukraine and Russia
The diplomat goes even further: “
We cannot exclude the possibility of a tactical nuclear strike
” when Ukrainian troops take over the strategic city, he warns.
Does the caution of France, which President Emmanuel Macron has warned that he would not respond to in the event of a nuclear attack on Ukrainian soil, disappoint him?
"
I've heard a lot of criticism about it.
I do not share them
,” replies the ambassador.
“
What matters to us is not words but actions.
The position of France satisfies us: a position of full partner
”.
The diplomat finally warns against relays of Russian propaganda in France.
"
Here's how to tell them apart.
If you hear an expert pleading for a ceasefire and urging Ukraine to negotiate, know that you are dealing with this network of Russian influence
,” he says.
Any economist who believes that “
the economic crisis and the energy crisis are closely linked to the war in Ukraine
” is also an echo of Moscow's propaganda.
"
These two things are not so correlated
," said the diplomat, while France expects a harsh winter against a backdrop of energy crisis.