Klitschko confirms drone strike on Kyiv Bridge
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has confirmed reports that Russian drones hit a bridge over the Dnipro River in the Ukrainian capital. Two drones hit the support area of the south bridge, Klitschko said on Telegram.
Photos and a video showing an explosion on the bridge had previously spread on online networks. The bridge connects the western and eastern parts of Kyiv in the south of the urban area and is used by both cars and trains of the Kyiv Metro. Traffic had been stopped, Klitschko announced that morning. Engineers are currently examining the condition of the bridge.
Nationwide power outages following Russian attacks
Russian attacks have caused power outages in several Ukrainian regions. The Kharkiv region in the east, Chernihiv and Sumy in the north and Rivne in the northwest, as well as Kirovohrad in the center of the country, said the network operator Ukrenerho. Where the security situation permits, emergency repairs and restoration work are already underway.
Ukrenerho called on people to shift “energy-intensive use” to the daytime hours.
Ukraine reports drone strikes nuclear research facility
According to information from Kyiv, a Russian drone hit the site of a nuclear research facility in the Ukrainian capital. This was announced by the Ukrainian Nuclear Regulatory Authority. Accordingly, the attack occurred on Wednesday evening. A drone hit the grounds of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences.
The facility contains a small research reactor that has been out of operation since the beginning of the war. According to the information, the reactor was not damaged and there was no increase in radioactivity. No systems important for the safety of the facility were damaged.
The nuclear regulator nevertheless accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism.”
Russia expels Hungarian diplomats
Several Hungarian diplomats have to leave Russia. As the Foreign Ministry in Moscow announced, the Hungarian charge d'affaires was informed that "a group" of Hungarian diplomats from the embassy in Moscow and the consulates general in Saint Petersburg and Kazan had two weeks to leave the country.
Estonia blocks transport of grain from Russia and Belarus
Estonia has banned the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its territory. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced this on X. This will implement a measure announced in September, wrote Tsahkna. Estonia will not support Russia in maintaining its trade.
Ukrainian soldiers advance north of Sumy
In the northern Ukrainian region of Sumy, Ukrainian forces have advanced north of the regional capital Sumy. This emerges from the current situation report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Accordingly, geolocated images show a Ukrainian advance near the village of Korchakivka.
Wadephul calls for solution to Black Sea grain exports
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Russia not to hinder grain transport in the Black Sea. »The world urgently needs these exports. If they continue to be prevented by Russia, then there is a risk of hunger, destabilization and the resulting refugee movements, including to Europe," said the CDU politician to the Web.de portal.
Ukraine reports seven dead after Russian attacks
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, seven people have been killed in Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Zelensky said on X that 24 others were injured.
Ukraine estimates war costs next year at 136 billion euros
The Ukrainian government expects war costs to amount to 136 billion euros next year. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyj said this. He warned that the sum is currently not covered by state revenues or financial aid from partner countries that has already largely been approved.
