Russia launches new drone attack on Ukraine: at least three dead and blackouts in eight regions

Russian drones struck multiple locations across Ukraine on Friday, killing at least three people and causing widespread power outages affecting over a million residents. The attacks targeted cities such as Kharkiv, Volyn, and Rivne, with explosions reported at shopping centers, residential areas, and critical infrastructure. In Kharkiv, at least three fatalities were recorded, including a 71-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man, along with 12 additional injuries. The mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terejov, noted that one of the drones struck a major market in the city. Power cuts were reported in eight regions, including the capital, Kyiv, with approximately 370,000 people in the northwestern region of Volyn losing electricity due to damage to the power grid. Officials stated that repairs had restored power to over a million people, though some areas might experience blackouts for up to 24 hours. In Lutsk, the regional capital of Volyn, the mayor warned of prolonged outages. Meanwhile, drone attacks continued throughout the day, damaging a customs terminal and igniting about 10 trucks in the town of Kovel, located on a major road connecting Kyiv to Poland. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 149 long-range drones during the night and early morning, of which 27 were not intercepted and reached unspecified targets. Emergency services worked to extinguish fires caused by the attacks, with footage showing significant damage to infrastructure. In the city of Saporischschja in the southeast, a woman was killed and another woman and a young girl were injured. Two multi-family homes, 18 vehicles, and an educational institution were damaged in the attack. In addition to the attacks within Ukraine, Russian authorities confirmed a large-scale drone attack on the city of St. Petersburg overnight. The governor of the Leningrad region, Alexander Drozdenko, initially reported that 126 drones were shot down, later raising the number to 144. The attack reportedly ignited fires at the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchyi oil depot, with one person killed and five others injured. Operations at Pulkovo Airport were temporarily restricted for safety reasons. The conflict also extended into the Baltic states, with Lithuania issuing a temporary shelter-in-place order for residents in central and northern areas due to an unknown flying object. NATO fighter jets were deployed, and Kaunas Airport was closed. Latvia issued similar warnings for certain border regions, citing potential threats. These developments underscore concerns about the possibility of the conflict expanding into NATO territory. Meanwhile, discussions regarding international support for Ukraine continued. European Union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing assistance and maintaining sanctions against Russia. High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that the EU lacks the capacity to replace the Starlink system used by Ukraine for military communications in the near term. This comes amid reports of restrictions on the use of the American satellite internet service, which Ukraine relies on heavily. President Volodymyr Zelensky called on NATO allies to continue arms shipments and prioritize interceptors for ballistic missiles and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets. The European Council President, Antonio Costa, reiterated the need to increase support for Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia. Ursula von der Leyen highlighted progress in negotiations for Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU, noting that talks on two remaining blocks would begin before year-end. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support received from European leaders, describing them as true leaders who have stood by Ukraine since the beginning of the war. The ongoing attacks and international responses reflect the complex and evolving nature of the conflict, with both sides targeting energy infrastructure as a strategic priority.