Russia trying to make Ukrainians 'suffer,' US officials say
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian power stations shows Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make Ukrainians "suffer" with deliberate attacks, speaking of attacks on Ukrainian power stations.
"He is trying to make sure that the Ukrainian people suffer," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Tuesday. "He's making it very difficult for them."
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder echoed those comments, saying Russia is trying to "inflict pain" on Ukrainian civilians with its strikes on population centers and infrastructure.
"We do continue to see them target, among other things, civilian infrastructure, to include energy related targets -- power grids, for example," Ryder said.
He added, "In terms of why we think they're targeting those areas, I think obviously trying to inflict pain on the civilian society as well as try to have an impact on Ukrainian forces."
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson and Matt Seyler




