At least six people died in Russian attacks overnight in Ukraine, which caused power outages across much of Kiev. Three people were killed in the capital Kiev, two in the central Dnipropetrovsk region and one in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, according to data provided by regional officials.
Six thermal power plants were bombed last night by Russian forces in the Kiev and Kharkiv regions, Moscow's Defense Ministry said. And this despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of an alleged energy truce between Moscow and Kiev. "Russia has never before shown such blatant disrespect towards the US, it does not consider the statements of the American president to be firm," the Ukrainian president wrote on X.
"No one will convince me that the surrender of those who defend their freedom can be defined as peace: only a just peace can last and secures Europe and our interests: therefore the government's position does not change. Support for Kiev, with particular attention to the civilian population, pressure on Moscow and Euro-Atlantic unity remain the pillars of our action". Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in communications to the Senate in view of the European Council.
The Foreign Ministry in Tokyo has summoned the Russian ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev to protest over the arrest of the Japanese journalist Yuki Imai, of the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, accused of "carrying out espionage activities on Russian territory". The man was arrested on the island of Sakhalin and according to the FSB he had worked for the Japanese secret services collecting information on Russian defenses. Japanese authorities have urged Moscow to ensure "fair and impartial treatment" of their compatriot and will demand that he be released.
“The Japanese Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk have submitted a request to the Russian authorities for the rapid provision of information, as well as for consideration of humanitarian reasons and for fair and impartial treatment,” Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.
The Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper said in a statement that it was aware of the news provided by Russian authorities, but was "still verifying the details." “Ensuring journalist safety is our top priority and we are acting accordingly,” the statement read.
For hours, Ukraine was unable to fully use Starlink services and this compromised several military operations. This was made known by RBC-Ukraine, which quotes presidential advisor Sergei Beskrestnov, according to whom the operation of satellite terminals was limited during the night and the StarShield "military package" began to lose broadband connections that allow communication with drones and units in the field. "Our defense forces did not receive any warning of such a restriction, and this led to the interruption of numerous missions," Beskrestnov said. "It is obvious that this action cannot be a coincidence and is linked to the current political situation." The reference is to the suspension of intelligence sharing between Washington and Kiev denounced by Zelensky and denied by Trump, but also to the diesel agreement between Russia and the United States whose counterpart, according to Ukrainian sources, would be a drastic reduction in military collaboration between Ukraine and its main ally.
"Russia has never before shown such a blatant lack of respect towards the USA, it does not consider the American president's statements to be firm." So on X the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Last night's attack was "completely deliberate and demonstrative in its scope, a Russian ballistic missile attack aimed specifically at energy infrastructure, precisely those protected by the ceasefire announced by the US president. Russia has wasted the opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its crazy war of annihilation". Overnight, Zelensky explained, "the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and over 120 attack drones and autonomous munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kiev, the Kiev region and Kharkiv." “We call on President Trump to impose severe sanctions on Russia.” We ask America and everyone in the world not to turn a blind eye to reality to respond - and to respond forcefully. The American President has all the effective and necessary tools to bring peace closer through force, justice and pressure on the aggressor. We call for additional Patriot missile interceptor packages for Ukraine. It is absolutely right that we tell the United States, Europe and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and warmongering actor as Russia. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. Peace can only come through strength, and we ask America to remember this Reagan principle."
The toll from the massive Russian ballistic attack on Keiv during the night is at least 3 dead and 22 injured. The raids hit a residential neighborhood and several energy infrastructures in the city. Several power plants have been targeted in the capital, an energy sector official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Kyiv Independent, as Russia continues to step up its attacks on energy infrastructure ahead of the coming winter months. The first explosions were heard in the capital starting late yesterday evening, when a Russian missile, with almost no warning, hit a nine-story residential building in the Desnyanskyi neighborhood, causing a huge fire, as reported by Kiev Mayor Vitalii Klitschko. At least two people were killed and 21 others injured following the Russian attack on the building, Klitschko said. Among the injured, 16 were hospitalized and four are in serious condition. Between 4.45 and 6.45 in the morning, local time, over a dozen explosions were heard again in the capital, coinciding with successive waves of missile attacks. Kyiv Independent journalists reported brief power outages and flashing lights around 5.30am. Klitschko said at least one other victim was hospitalized in Kiev's Darnytskyi neighborhood, and another person was killed in Kiev's Holosiivskyi neighborhood following the latest waves of attacks. The authorities have not yet quantified the alleged attacks on the power plants, nor the extent of the damage caused.
