Ukraine drone assault plunges occupied regions into darkness
Last night, Ukraine launched about 200 drones toward the occupied regions. Ukrainian missile and drone attacks caused significant power outages in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, controlled by Russia. An electrical substation in occupied Melitopol was also attacked.
Media reports indicate a massive Ukrainian attack on the occupied areas. Kyiv is said to have launched about 200 drones to the southeastern part of the country.
The main targets are occupied Crimea and the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The occupying authorities announced electricity and cellular communication outages in five areas of the left-bank Kherson region.
As a result of Ukrainian shelling in the Zaporizhzhia region, there was severe damage to high-voltage lines and transformer stations. According to Russian Governor Yevgeny Balitsky, quoted by Reuters, the entire Zaporizhzhia region has been deprived of electricity.
An electrical substation in occupied Melitopol was reported to have been attacked, leaving the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region without power.
In the Kherson region, fragments from downed drones damaged two substations, cutting off electricity to over 100,000 residents in 150 towns and villages.
Despite the power outages, Russian authorities assured that the situation does not affect the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe. The plant, occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, is currently in shutdown mode and not generating power. The radiation levels on its premises pose no threat.
Russian media also warn against the transit of drones through towns from Kinburn to Kakhovka.
Negotiations in Istanbul concluded
Talks between Ukraine and Russia aimed at discussing the possibilities of ending the war in Ukraine have concluded in Istanbul. The meeting lasted about an hour, with Turkey serving as the mediator. It was the second round of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
During the talks, Ukraine provided Russia with a list of Ukrainian children abducted to Russia. The head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, reported that the list contains hundreds of children whom Russia has either illegally deported or is holding in temporarily occupied territories. "Today, during the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian side officially gave the Russian side a list of Ukrainian children who must be returned," Yermak wrote on Telegram.
