While fighting continues in the Russian region of Kursk, the Ukrainian army is under pressure in eastern Ukraine. With winter approaching, a high-ranking visitor from Brussels is expected in Kyiv.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian armed forces have significantly weakened the striking power of the Russian army in the Donetsk region. Nevertheless, the head of state said in his evening address broadcast via video that the situation remains extremely difficult. Heavy fighting is taking place daily in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk sectors. Everything is being done to maintain the combat power of the deployed brigades.
Zelensky also highlighted the fighting that has been going on in the Russian border region of Kursk since August. Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been tied up there and numerous prisoners have been taken, he said. The information provided by both warring parties about events on the battlefield can usually hardly be independently verified.
EU Commission President expected in Kyiv
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected in Kiev this Friday. Zelenskyj announced talks with her about preparations for winter. “Of course, the energy issue is an urgent priority,” he said. The situation at the front, arms deliveries and joint armament projects will also be discussed, he said – as will Ukraine’s path to the EU and further financial support for the country attacked by Russia.
Selenskyj wants to present “victory plan” in USA
Zelensky himself will be received by US President Joe Biden in the White House next week. The meeting – also confirmed by Zelensky’s office – is planned for Thursday, the US government announced. The Ukrainian guest will also meet US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running as the Democratic candidate in the November election. Zelensky announced days ago that he wanted to present Biden in Washington with a “plan for victory” in the war against Russia.
According to his office, Zelenskyy will first speak at the UN General Assembly in New York and hold talks there on the sidelines. In addition to the meeting with Biden and Harris in Washington, a meeting with the Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump is also planned.
Russian bombing raid on northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy
In his evening message, the Ukrainian president also addressed a Russian attack on the city of Sumy in the north-east of the country. According to the Interior Ministry, a woman was killed and at least 13 people were injured. “Russia had to know that this is a nursing home – not a military base, not a military facility,” said Zelensky. The attackers used almost 90 glide bombs against targets in Ukraine over the course of Thursday. “We will definitely respond to the Russian army for this terror, respond in a tangible way.”
The Ukrainian General Staff reported in its report that fighting was continuing. There had been over 90 Russian attacks along the entire front line. The majority had been repelled. However, some of the fighting was still ongoing at the time of the report. The General Staff made no statements about changes to the front line or about the situation in the Russian border region of Kursk.
The Russian army claimed the capture of the village of Heorhiivka in the Kurakhovo sector of the Donetsk region. Ukrainian military observers classified the village as partly contested and partly Russian-controlled.
According to the Ukrainian military administration, 23 civilians were killed in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Kursk region in September. “The Russians have started shelling peaceful residents,” said the representative of the Ukrainian military command, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyy. There was no independent confirmation of this either.
UN warns of long power outages in winter
Meanwhile, the United Nations warned of long power outages in the winter as a result of Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Experts interviewed expected power outages between 4 and 18 hours per day. This will have a particular impact on residents of high-rise buildings who rely on electrically operated pumps for water and central heating on the upper floors.
According to the report, the lack of electricity can also have a massive impact on the operation of sewer systems and sewage treatment plants. In the worst case scenario, with power outages lasting more than three days, untreated sewage will have to be channeled into rivers to avoid backflow. The mass use of emergency generators powered by diesel and petrol is also worsening air quality in Ukrainian cities. The elderly, the sick, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other low-income households are particularly affected by the lack of electricity.
Between March and September, the Russian military systematically attacked power plants, power grids and power distribution facilities in nine waves. The report stated that the electricity demand in winter peak times was over 18 gigawatts. Ukrainian estimates assume domestic production of 14 to 15 gigawatts and a deficit of up to 4 gigawatts, which cannot be fully covered by imports from the EU or neighboring Moldova.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
