A drone attack by Ukraine has “wiped off the face of the Earth” a major Russian weapons depot in the Tver region, Ukrainian intelligence sources said.
Sources in the country’s SBU security service told The Kyiv Independent that “an extremely powerful detonation began” at the Russian defence ministry’s warehouse in Toropets following a drone strike.
The depot is believed to have housed Iskander and Tochka-U tactical missile systems, guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition. The attack “literally wiped off the face of the Earth a large warehouse of the main missile and artillery department of the Russian defence ministry,” the source was quoted as saying.
In Kyiv last night, president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the outcome of the attack without directly referring to the incident. “A very important result was achieved last night on Russian territory and such actions weaken the enemy,” he said. “I thank everyone involved. Such precision is truly inspiring.”
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky is expected to meet with US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris when he visits Washington next week, according to reports. Republican nominee Donald Trump has also said he will “probably” meet the Ukrainian president.
Russia launches fresh air strikes on Ukraine’s energy network
Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy facilities in a new wave of air strikes, Ukrainian officials have said, despite a UN monitoring body saying attacks on the power grid probably violated humanitarian law.
Regional officials said civilian infrastructure had also been damaged, and the International Energy Agency warned of an electricity shortfall in Ukraine this winter.
Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down all 42 drones and one of four missiles launched by Russia.
Three people were killed in shelling near Krasnopillia in the Sumy region on Wednesday evening and two were wounded in shelling of the frontline region on Thursday that damaged a medical institution, local prosecutors said.
Ukraine’s energy ministry said power cuts had been introduced in 10 regions, and the IEA said in a report that electricity supply shortfall in the winter months could reach about a third of expected peak demand.
The European Union said a fuel power plant was being dismantled in Lithuania to be rebuilt in Ukraine.
Kyiv says the targeting of its energy system is a war crime, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for four Russian officials and military officers for the bombing of civilian power infrastructure. Moscow says power infrastructure is a legitimate military target.
Russian funds to be used for heating in Ukraine
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen is heading to Ukraine tomorrow, with the promise of €160m (£134m) in fresh energy funds to heat homes, hospitals and schools through the winter.
Much of the funds will come the proceeds of the Russian assets held in the EU. “It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused,” she said.
We’re ramping up drone production, vows Putin
Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ramping up drone production by around 10 times to nearly 1.4 million this year to ensure Russian armed forces grab victory in Ukraine.
“In total, about 140,000 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types were delivered to the armed forces in 2023,” Putin said. “This year, the production of drones is planned to increase significantly. Well, to be more precise, almost 10 times.”
“Whoever reacts faster to these demands on the battlefield wins,” Mr Putin said at a meeting in St Petersburg about developing drone production.
Since Russia sent tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have bought drones abroad and ramped up their own production for a range of targets – from artillery to energy infrastructure.
Nearly 190 clashes in the past day, Ukraine says
Intense battles continued on the eastern Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts as Ukraine’s General Staff recorded 187 combat clashes over the past day.
Residential areas in Kharkiv – near the northeastern border – were also struck by Russian guided missiles, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
But Pokrovsk and Kurakove, both towns near the eastern city of Donetsk, faced the brunt of Russian assaults in the past day.
Ukrainian forces repelled 46 assaults towards the various settlements around the town of Pokrovsk, a key strategic city for the movement of Ukrainian supplies.
On the Kurakhove front, around 50 kilometres south of Pokrovsk and 50 kilometres west of Donetsk, 40 attacks were repelled.
Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region is ongoing, with Russian forces striking their own territory 19 times with 39 guided bombs.
ICYMI: Ukraine boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk released after brief detention in Poland
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk was dramatically led away in handcuffs as he passed through a Polish airport.
Usyk, who was due in London, was detained in Krakow but spoke out soon after to clarify the incident was a misunderstanding.
In footage posted to social media, the heavyweight world champion was seen being led away into a lift by five police officers.
Lessons from Red Sea and Ukraine’s Black Sea fight help prep Navy for possible conflict with China
EU to send 160 million euros from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
The sum of €160 million from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets will be allocated to meet Ukraine‘s urgent humanitarian needs for this winter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced.
She added that a fuel power plant is being dismantled in Lithuania and will be rebuilt in Ukraine, where 80 per cent of the country’s thermal plants have been destroyed.
“We aim to restore 2.5 gw of capacity, which is 15 per cent of Ukraine‘s needs,” Von der Leyen said.
I’ve witnessed the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m
Photos from the frontline
Below we have some of the latest photos from the frontline on Ukraine.
Russia and Pakistan to strengthen economic ties
The two countries hope to boost their bilateral trade, it was announced in a joint press conference in Islamabad.
With Russia facing economic isolation following Western sanctions, trade between Russia and Pakistan hit $1 billion dollars last year.
“Even today, we looked at how to expand our relationship, and overcome this constraint of the banking system, which you know are facing sanctions, which obviously constrains our relationship, the volume of our relationship could have been much bigger,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Moscow will also support Pakistan’s bid to join the BRICS alliance, currently consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan applied in 2023.
Source: independent.co.uk