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Ukraine suffers from attacks on energy grid

The massive damage to its energy networks is forcing Ukraine to cut electricity across the country on Thursday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called on the citizens of his war-torn country to help. “We will do everything we can to restore our country’s normal energy supply,” he said in his video address on Wednesday evening. “But it takes time and our joint efforts with you.” According to the latest information from the Kiev government, Russian missiles and drone attacks have damaged 40 percent of energy infrastructure in recent days.

The latest developments in the war in Ukraine in the live ticker:

Progress in countering Iranian drones

Ukraine is making progress in defense against Iranian-made Russian drones, Zelenskyy said. In October alone, 233 Shahed-136 drones were shot down. Unfortunately, three energy supply objects were also destroyed on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy discussed with his government how to prevent outages of the damaged networks in the winter. Work is underway on mobile power sources for critical infrastructure in cities and towns, he said.

The population has been asked to use as little electricity as possible between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CEST) on Thursday. In addition, electricity in each area will be turned off for up to four hours at different times, according to utility company Ukrenerho. The reason for the limitations is a lack of power in the system. “We do not rule out the possibility that we will call on your help more often when the cold breaks out,” it sounds.

“Please don’t turn on unnecessary electronic devices!” Zelensky insisted. The time for shutdowns to stabilize the grid will be all the shorter.

Zelenskyy to Ukrainians: Don’t let Russia recruit you!

“The hysteria is growing as Russia’s defeat approaches,” Zelenskyy noted at the declaration of martial law in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions. Russia claims these for itself in violation of international law. “Russia has avoided the word war for half a year, punished its own people for it, and now it itself declares martial law in the occupied territories,” Zelenskyy said. In Russia, the war, which lasted almost eight months, is officially called a military special operation.

With the tightening, there is a growing danger that Russia will force Ukrainians to fight against their own compatriots. “Avoid that if at all possible!” said Zelenskyy. Anyone who can leave these areas must do so. Those called up must lay down their arms and try to desert to the Ukrainians. “The most important thing: save your life and help others too!”

Russian occupiers resettle Ukrainians from Kherson

In the Kherson region, the Russian occupiers fear a massive Ukrainian attack. According to its own statements, it has therefore already resettled 7,000 citizens from the region to the right side of the Dnipro River, as the head of government Vladimir Saldo said. However, the Ukrainian army has made the bridges over the river impassable. The occupation administration called on people to go to the port of Kherson. During the day, small steamers floated from there to the left bank. “Everyone is allowed to bring 50 kilograms of luggage,” the information said. “Pets can be taken.”

Another spokesman for the occupying forces in Kherson, Kirill Stremusov, said all Ukrainian attacks on Wednesday were repulsed. The Ukrainian side has had no information about the alleged major offensive for days.

Steinmeier also does not go to Kiev on the second attempt

According to information from the German news agency, security reasons were decisive for the postponement of the trip of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Kiev. The federal president wanted to meet with Zelenskyj in Kiev on Thursday. The officially unannounced trip should be made good soon, it said.

“We are in close and confidential planning for the Federal President’s visit to Ukraine, which is important for both sides.” Steinmeier’s spokeswoman Cerstin Gammelin and Ukraine’s ambassador to Berlin, Oleksii Makeiev, wrote the same word for word on Twitter. A call from the president has been arranged for Thursday.

In April, Kiev canceled a visit from Steinmeier – reportedly out of anger at his pro-Russian stance. This caused resentment in Berlin in the early stages of the war.

That will be important on Thursday

At a summit in Brussels, the heads of state and government of the European Union are looking for a way out of the energy crisis. Selenskyj must be connected via video. He has announced that he will address the current electricity shortage in his country. Ukraine hopes that foreign partners will give it generators. (con/sda/dpa)