Summary of Significant Happenings in the Ongoing Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine
In the continuous conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a dramatic surge of incidents was reported recently. These events are essential to comprehend the current status of the prolonged battle.
Military Actions
The military confrontation escalated with Russian forces launching over 450 drone attacks and 45 missile strikes on Ukraine. These strikes were aimed at the energy infrastructure, leading to the unfortunate death of seven individuals.
The attacks were targeted at substations that provide power to two nuclear power plants located in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne. Such actions have been criticized heavily for jeopardizing the nuclear safety of Europe.
Moreover, energy facilities in Kyiv, Poltava, and Kharkiv regions were also targeted, leading to power and water supply disruptions affecting thousands of individuals. A Ukrainian energy company confirmed that this was the ninth attack on its gas infrastructure since the beginning of October.
Russia's defense department acknowledged launching "a robust strike with high-precision long-range air, ground, and sea-based weapons" targeting weapon production and gas and energy facilities. This was claimed to be a response to Kyiv's strikes on Russia.
The Russian defense department also claimed territorial gains around the towns of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, and the capture of the village of Volchye in eastern Ukraine.
Further, it was reported that Russian forces had shot down 15 Ukrainian drones over the Crimea Peninsula, the Black Sea, and Russia's Rostov region. Russian forces also reportedly downed two guided bombs and 178 drones during the day. Another drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region reportedly left at least 20,000 people without power.
Political Developments
In the realm of politics and diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Europe, the G7, and the United States to intensify sanctions on Russia's energy sector following its latest attack.
He pointed out that "Russia's nuclear energy sector is not under sanctions, and the Russian military-industrial complex still obtains Western microelectronics. There must be greater pressure on its oil and gas trade as well."
At the same time, the Ukrainian foreign minister urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to convene a meeting to address the attacks on the substations supplying the nuclear power plants and tackle "these unacceptable risks".
The foreign minister also appealed to India and China to exert pressure on Moscow to halt its "reckless attacks that risk a catastrophic incident".
Meanwhile, Hungary announced that it has secured an indefinite exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports. However, a White House official clarified that the exemption was only for a period of one year.
