Ukraine "Russia wants to trigger mass migration to the EU by striking power plants"

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that the reason for Russia's attack on power plants in Ukraine is to force people to leave their homes and head west to European Union countries.

Zelensky said earlier this week that Russia had destroyed about a third of the country's power plants, causing power and water cuts as winter approaches. Kiev went on nationwide electricity rationing for the first time on Thursday. The United Nations says 7.7 million Ukrainians, about 19% of the pre-war population, have fled after the February 24 invasion and are living across Europe. Some refugees are struggling to find decent paying jobs. "Russia is provoking a new wave of migration of Ukrainians to European Union countries," Zelensky said in a video address at an EU summit. Zelensky's office released a recording of his remarks. "Russian terrorism against our energy facilities is aimed at creating as many electricity and heat problems for Ukraine as possible this fall and winter so that more Ukrainians leave for European countries," Zelensky said. In response, allied countries should provide more anti-aircraft systems and impose additional sanctions on Iran, which produces some of the drones used by Moscow. Follow Global Economic Developments on Social Media! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Facebook account! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Instagram account! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Twitter account!