Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched overnight strikes on critical infrastructure, including the Kryvyi Rih steelworks and the Zaporizhzhia plant, disrupting energy networks nationwide. The attacks, which occurred overnight, affected both industrial and residential areas, causing widespread power outages. The Russian defence ministry confirmed the strikes, stating that Ukrainian steel plants and power infrastructure were targeted.
A separate attack in Kherson, southern Ukraine, killed one person and injured 19 others, including a child. The regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported the incident, describing it as an air strike. In another incident, Russian strikes in Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Volyn, and Rivne left over 1 million people without power. The attacks targeted both civilian and industrial areas, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
The war, which began in February 2022, has deepened divisions among international financial institutions. At the IMF summit, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov faced backlash when he addressed the steering committee in Russian, prompting several delegates to walk out. The ongoing conflict has also strained diplomatic relations, with the US easing sanctions on Russian energy as it deals with an oil crisis. Meanwhile, Ukraine has appealed to the EU for €70 billion in aid to support its war efforts.
The situation continues to escalate, with both sides reporting increased military activity and civilian casualties. The international community remains divided on how to respond to the ongoing conflict, with some nations calling for more support for Ukraine while others seek diplomatic solutions.
