Russian strikes cut power to thousands in Ukraine as Kherson ceasefire to end

According to BBC News, a localized humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine's Kherson region is scheduled to conclude on Sunday night. This temporary pause, which began last Tuesday and was facilitated by the efforts of Pope Leo and US First Lady Melania Trump, permitted residents to evacuate the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Prior to this, civilians had been trapped by mined routes and drones, facing dire shortages of essential supplies. The evacuation process involved a lengthy journey through Russian-held territory and Belarus before individuals could return to northern Ukraine.

Despite the localized truce, broader conflict persists across the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces conducted high-intensity strikes on energy infrastructure across four regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without electricity. In response to these frequent attacks, emergency power rationing and water disruptions have been implemented nationwide. Additionally, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that a separate overnight strike in the Vinnytsia region resulted in two fatalities, including a 13-year-old.

In counter-operations, President Zelensky stated that Ukraine successfully struck a missile fuel production site in the Russian region of Rostov, damaging multiple facilities. As repair crews work to restore power to the tens of thousands still lacking electricity, the Ukrainian government has intensified its appeals to international partners for additional Patriot missile systems. Zelensky argued that these interceptors are vital for defending against Russia's ongoing ballistic missile attacks, which he noted are exploiting current gaps in Ukraine's defensive capabilities.

Source: BBC News — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g1y90p71eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss