Ukraine's drone offensive disrupts power in occupied regions
Last night, Ukraine launched approximately 200 drones towards the Russian-occupied regions. Ukrainian missile and drone attacks caused significant disruptions to the power supply in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. An electrical substation in occupied Melitopol was also targeted.
Media reports describe a massive Ukrainian assault on the occupied areas, with Kyiv reportedly sending about 200 drones to the country's southeast.
The main targets include occupied Crimea and the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The occupation authorities announced a lack of electricity and mobile connectivity in five areas of the left-bank Kherson region.
Ukrainian shelling in the Zaporizhzhia region caused serious damage to high-voltage lines and transformer stations. According to Russian governor Yevgeny Balitsky, quoted by Reuters, the entire Zaporizhzhia region experienced a power outage.
An electrical substation in occupied Melitopol is reported to have been attacked, leaving the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region without electricity.
In the Kherson region, fragments of downed drones damaged two substations, cutting off electricity for more than 100,000 residents in 150 towns and villages.
Despite the power supply interruptions, Russian authorities assured that the situation doesn’t 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 producing electricity. 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 conclude
Talks in Istanbul between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia, aimed at discussing the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine, have concluded. The meeting lasted about one hour, with Turkey serving as the mediator. This was the second round of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
During the talks, Ukraine provided Russia with a list of Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia. The head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, reported that the list includes hundreds of children whom Russia 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" - wrote Yermak on Telegram.
