Russia launches another massive aerial attack on Ukrainian cities, hitting important infrastructure. In the meantime, the water supply in the capital Kyiv has failed. However, Ukraine claims to have shot down most of the attacking missiles and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, the situation around Ukrainian grain exports threatens to deteriorate. After Russia’s withdrawal from the grain agreement, Ukraine wants to continue transports across the Black Sea – but Moscow does not want to allow this without inspections. The 250th day of the war at a glance.
Russia attacks Kyiv and other major cities
Russia once again fired rockets at numerous Ukrainian cities during the morning rush hour, including the capital Kyiv. There was an air alert across the country, and the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense was active, according to the local authorities. Important infrastructure was hit again during the attacks. Initially, no deaths or injuries were reported. Russia had declared that it was particularly targeting the neighboring country’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine speaks of “energy terror”.
According to Ukrainian sources, the attacks with more than 50 cruise missiles and rockets were aimed at seven areas, including Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Kirovohrad. 44 of the projectiles could therefore be intercepted. The information could not be independently verified.
Selenskyj calls Scholz – and thanks for air defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany on Twitter for its air defense support. “Had a phone call with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Informed about rocket terror by RF.” By “RF” is meant the Russian Federation. He was grateful to Germany “for the air defense provided,” Zelenskyj continued. “We must build an air defense shield over Ukraine.”
Kyiv partly without water supply after rocket hit
In the Ukrainian capital, large parts of the water supply failed as a result of Russian rocket hits. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported in a message on Telegram that 80 percent of the consumption points were affected. Experts tried to repair the damage as quickly as possible. The failure of the water systems was said to be related to damage to the power supply. Klitschko wrote that 350,000 households were also without electricity.
Russian missile hits village in Moldova
During the airstrikes on Ukraine, parts of a fired Russian missile fell into a village near the border in northern Moldova, the Interior Ministry said. In some houses in the town of Naslavcea, windows had burst, and according to initial findings, there were no injuries. According to Ukrainian military information, the Russian missile was intended to hit the hydroelectric power station on the Dniester River near Novodnistrovsk, about ten kilometers away. The Ukrainian air defense shot down the missile as it approached. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova confirmed that the Russian missile did not violate Moldovan airspace.
Moscow sends poorly equipped reservists to the front
According to British military experts, Russia often only sends reservists to the front with poor equipment. “In September, Russian officers expressed concern that some newly mobilized reservists arrived unarmed in Ukraine,” said a report released by the Defense Ministry in London. Photos also suggested that reservists were equipped with outdated weapons that are unlikely to be usable due to poor storage.
Britain warns Russia against using nuclear weapons
Britain has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of serious consequences if nuclear weapons are used in Ukraine. Such a move would change the nature of the conflict, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told MPs in London. “No other country is talking about the use of nuclear weapons. No country is threatening Russia or President Putin,” said the minister. “He should be aware that for Britain and our allies, any use of nuclear weapons would change the character of the conflict. That would have serious consequences for Russia.”
In addition, Cleverly called on Russia not to impede grain exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea. The Russian leadership’s “increasingly desperate statements” served to distract attention from the faltering war effort.
Ukrainian grain exports continue
Despite Russia’s suspension of the grain deal, exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea are continuing for the time being. Several freighters were moving towards Istanbul from the Ukrainian Black Sea coast, as ship tracking services showed. According to the United Nations, these include ships loaded with wheat, soybeans and peas. They are driving it without Russia’s consent through a sea corridor that, according to the agreement, may not be attacked.
Moscow: No passage without inspection
However, Russia does not want to allow further exports via the Black Sea. The agreement “cannot be implemented without us,” said Russian ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebensia at a UN Security Council meeting in New York. At the same time, Moscow “cannot allow ships to pass unhindered without our inspection,” said Nebensia.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in the online service Telegram that it expects “commitments” from Ukraine not to “use the corridor intended for grain exports for military purposes”. The security of “anything in this area” cannot be guaranteed unless Ukraine makes “additional commitments” in this regard.
The agreement on Ukrainian grain exports was mediated by the United Nations (UN) and Turkey in July. Russia suspended them on Saturday, citing Ukrainian drone strikes on its Black Sea fleet on the Crimean peninsula.
UN: No grain carriers involved in drone strike on fleet
The UN, however, ruled out the involvement of grain carriers in the alleged drone attack on ships in the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Grain carriers traveling under the UN agreement were not involved, says UN emergency aid coordinator Martin Griffiths.
Million tons exported via alternative corridors
According to EU figures, more than 14 million tons of agricultural goods from Ukraine have so far been exported via trade routes that were expanded after the start of the Russian war of aggression. In addition, there are 15 million tons of goods that do not come from the agricultural sector, as a spokesman for the Brussels authority said. He cited iron and steel as examples. The so-called solidarity corridors were set up in May. Above all, this is based on a concept of expanding existing trade routes in order to establish alternatives to exports via the Black Sea.
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