tag

A vast Russian overnight attack on Ukraine killed three people and wounded nearly 30, officials said Saturday, with more than 600,000 households left without power after strikes on the grid as the US attempts to broker peace talks. “While everyone is discussing points of peace plans, Russia continues to pursue its ‘war plan’ of two points: to kill and destroy,” Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote Saturday morning as Kyiv residents surveyed the damage after a heavy night of explosions that mostly targeted the capital. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones in the attack. Moscow has conducted regular large-scale bombardments of Ukraine’s power infrastructure since 2022, but the latest campaign this autumn has pushed Ukrainian cities including Kyiv into a torrid situation, with many households only getting eight hours of power on some of the worst days of blackouts. The deafening roar of generators and the stench of diesel fumes now fill the capital’s avenues, and people use torches at night as streetlights are often out. Ukraine’s energy ministry said the overnight attack had hit power facilities in Kyiv and five other Ukrainian regions. More than 500,000 of the households which lost power were in the capital. Ukraine has been negotiating with the United States on the terms of a peace agreement that Washington is seeking to broker between Kyiv and Moscow to end Russia’s nearly four-year-long war.Kyiv and its European allies say they want peace but pushed back against some of the original terms pushed by the US, with Ukraine unwilling to withdraw from land it currently holds and resisting any restriction on its future ability to join alliances. Yermak was Zelensky’s most important ally but in Kyiv, his opponents say he has accumulated power, gate-keeps access to the president and ruthlessly sidelines critical voices. A former film producer and copyright lawyer, he came into politics with Zelensky in 2019, having previously worked with the now-president during his time as a popular comedian. Yermak was widely considered the second-most influential man in the country and even sometimes nicknamed “vice-president”. “Yermak doesn’t allow anyone to get to Zelensky except loyal people,” a former senior official who worked with Zelensky and Yermak told AFP, describing him as “super paranoid”. “He definitely tries to influence almost every decision,” they added. A senior source in Zelensky’s party said Yermak’s influence over the president was akin to “hypnosis”. Speaking after the raid on Yermak, the European Union backed the work of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. “We have a lot of respect for those investigations which show that the anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine are doing their work,” said European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho. Zelensky had in the summer tried to strip the independence of NABU and SPO, triggering rare wartime protests and forcing him to walk back the decision after criticism from the EU. Yermak had been a stalwart by Zelensky’s side throughout the war. The two men are seen together on official photos of almost all presidential events. According to media reports, their beds stand side by side in the presidential office’s underground bunker, and in their free time, they play table tennis, watch movies or work out. But he is widely unpopular in society and distrusted by two-thirds of the population, according to a March 2025 poll by the Razumkov Centre, an NGO. Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told AFP before Yermak’s removal that he needed to go to shore up Kyiv’s position in talks with the United States. Alluding to the vulnerability of the moment, Zelensky also stressed that he could not afford to make political missteps at this moment. “Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes,” he said. 

The Global Institute for Strategic Research (GISR) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) concluded a high-level policy roundtable examining the implications of the Ukraine war for the Gulf region.Held at Education City’s Minaretein, the event titled “The Ukraine War Through a Gulf Lens” gathered experts, academics, and international observers to analyse critical intersections between the conflict and Gulf interests, particularly in food security, energy markets, and humanitarian diplomacy. The event was also attended by ambassadors and heads of mission from embassies based in Doha.The Ukraine war has created unprecedented global disruptions that resonate deeply across the Gulf region, which stands at the crossroads of global supply chain vulnerabilities and shifting geopolitical realignments. As major energy exporters and food importers, the Gulf states face both opportunities and risks as a result of this development.Additionally, Qatar's successful mediation efforts in various international crises uniquely position it to lead conflict resolution, particularly in addressing the humanitarian dimensions of family separation and civilian protection.Following opening remarks by ambassador Dr Mohamed Ali Chihi, executive director, GISR, proceedings moved on to a roundtable titled “Exploring Common Interests: Ukraine and the Arab States”. The session explored historical foundations and current Ukraine-Qatar relations, with a focus on Qatar's role as a mediator. It also analysed president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent diplomatic outreach on Palestine, Syria, and Sudan as a strategic bridge for engagement with Arab and Gulf states and mapping future areas for Ukraine-Arab collaboration. This was followed by a roundtable on “Lessons from Ukraine: Regional & International Security”.Dr Chihi stated: “This event holds particular significance as it reflects Qatar’s role as a major diplomatic actor, committed to advancing dialogue and peaceful solutions to some of the world’s most complex crises. In the context of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, it also reinforces HBKU’s position as a leading hub for public policy dialogue, championing independent analysis, engaging policymakers, and fostering a diversity of thought to address pressing global challenges through an Arab perspective and a forward-looking vision.”Another roundtable, “Regional Vulnerabilities: Energy Security in the Shadow of War,” spotlighted the impact of the war on global energy markets and implications for Gulf producers. It also assessed the geopolitics of energy infrastructure, examining the short and long-term impacts of primary and secondary sanctions on Russian oil and gas. A subsequent roundtable titled, “Regional Vulnerabilities: Food Security in the Shadow of War” assessed the impact of the war on global grain markets and Gulf food import strategies and explored regional cooperation mechanisms for crisis response.

Ukraine drones hit Russia's Orenburg gas processing plantGas from Karachaganak is being processed at the Orenburg plantShell, Eni, Chevron are among Karachaganak stakeholdersA Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Orenburg gas plant has forced neighbouring Kazakhstan to reduce production at its Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field by 25% to 30%, two industry sources told Reuters on Monday.One of the world's largest gas processing plants, Orenburg was forced to suspend its intake of gas from Kazakhstan after the attack, Kazakhstan's energy ministry said on Sunday.Ukraine confirmed it hit a gas plant in the Orenburg region, some 1,700 kilometres east of the Russian border with Ukraine, and an oil refinery in the Samara region.Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russian refineries and other energy facilities since August to try to disrupt fuel supplies and deprive Moscow of funding.Output at Karachaganak on Monday was down to between 25,000 metric tons (196,500 barrels per day) and 28,000 metric tons from the usual level of 35,000-35,500, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.They said Orenburg, which is controlled by gas producer Gazprom, might resume some gas intake from Karachaganak on Monday. However, they declined to say when normal levels of supply would be restored.Oil and gas output at Karachaganak are closely linked, meaning the field is not able to produce much oil if its gas production is down.Apart from processing at Orenburg, Karachaganak gas is used for re-injection to maintain reservoir pressure as well as for power generation at local facilities.Karachaganak produced around 263,000 bpd of oil in 2024. It is exported by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium via a Russian Black Sea terminal, as well as through Russia's Druzhba pipeline to Germany.The field is operated by a consortium which includes US major Chevron (18%) and European energy firms Shell (29.25%) and Eni (29.25%).Russia's Lukoil (13.5%) and local firm KazMunayGaz (10%) also hold stakes.The consortium, Gazprom, and Kazakhstan's energy ministry did not reply to requests for comment.Kazakh authorities agreed with Karachaganak shareholders in 2024 to build a new gas processing plant at the field with annual capacity of up to 4 billion cubic metres, expected to start operations in 2028.However, the project has been suspended under the current consortium, and the government is seeking new investors, aiming to attract Kazakh companies.Industry sources has said that oil and gas condensate production at Karachaganak declined in September by 24% from August to 200,000 bpd amid maintenance at the Orenburg plant.

More than 1 million had suffered power cuts in UkraineTwo killed, 20 people hurt, officials sayTransport delays and blackouts disrupt life in KyivRussia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's energyEmergency crews restored power to many parts of Ukraine after an overnight Russian drone and missile attack on Friday struck energy facilities, plunging large districts of Kyiv and other areas into darkness and cutting water supplies.In the latest mass attack targeting the energy system as winter approaches, electricity was interrupted in nine regions and over a million households and businesses were temporarily without power across the country.In southeastern Ukraine, a seven-year-old was killed when his home was hit and at least 20 people were injured.In Kyiv, an apartment block in the city centre was damaged by a projectile, while on the left bank of the Dnipro that divides the capital, crowds waited at bus stops with the metro out of action. People filled water bottles at distribution points."We didn't sleep at all," said Liuba, a pensioner, as she collected water. "From 2:30 a.m. there was so much noise. By 3:30 we had no electricity, no gas, no water. Nothing."Ukraine's energy ministry said more than 800,000 customers had at one point suffered power cuts in Kyiv.By Saturday morning, the private power company DTEK said electricity had been restored to most of Kyiv residents, but local problems remained. It said power had also been restored in areas outside the capital and in Dnipropetrovsk region in the southeast.Authorities reported Russian attacks in different parts of the country throughout Friday. An official in the northern Chernihiv region said one person was killed when a car belonging to the local energy utility was hit by a drone.Ukrainians are bracing for a tough winter, as the full-scale war launched by Russia's February 2022 invasion nears its fourth anniversary. Russia has intensified attacks on the energy system in recent weeks, striking power plants and gas production facilities, and local authorities are struggling with the scale of repairs."They can't demonstrate anything real on the battlefield... so they will attack our energy sector," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv.Calling for more support from allies, he said that 203 main energy facilities in the country needed air-defence protection.Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk met G7 ambassadors and representatives of some of Ukraine's biggest energy companies to discuss how allies could help protect the country against further attacks and repair the damage."The blow is strong, but it is definitely not fatal," Zelenskiy said.Speaking later in his nightly video address, he said Putin had deliberately launched the attack when world attention was focused on the "valuable opportunity" to move towards Middle East peace after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza."This marks a new record of Russian depravity, to intensify terrorist strikes and target civilian lives at such a moment," he said.Ukraine's air force said it had downed 405 of 465 drones and 15 of 32 missiles in this attack. Ukraine's stretched air defences are no match for regular barrages on such a scale.According to Zelenskiy, Russia waited for bad weather to attack and the inclement conditions reduced the efficiency of Ukraine's air defences by between 20% and 30%.Russia said its overnight strikes were in response to Ukraine's attacks on Russian civilian facilities.Ukraine regularly launches drone strikes against Russia's military and oil installations, although they are generally on a far smaller scale. Kyiv says it wants to force Moscow to negotiate a peace deal in good faith.For many Kyiv residents, the day started with power cuts, disruptions in the water supply and transport delays."We had no power or water when I left my house. I can't get to work because the subway is not operating and buses are overflowing," Anatoliy, a 23-year-old student, told Reuters.Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the assault was among the heaviest concentrated strikes on energy infrastructure and reported significant damage.Her deputy, Oleksiy Kuleba, said two million customers in Kyiv temporarily faced problems with water supplies.DTEK said its thermal power plants had suffered significant damage without providing details.

At least four killed and dozens injured in mass Russian attackUkraine says more sanctions are needed against RussiaAttack on Kyiv is one of most sustained of the war so farMoscow says it targeted military-industrial enterprisesRussia launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine early on Sunday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, in one of the most sustained attacks on the capital since the full-scale war began.Neighbouring Poland closed its airspace near two southeastern cities and its air force scrambled jets in response until the danger had passed.Ukraine's military said that Russia launched 595 drones and 48 missiles overnight and its air defences shot down 568 drones and 43 missiles. It noted that the main target of the strike was the capital Kyiv.President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the attack, which lasted more than 12 hours, damaged a cardiology clinic, factories and residential buildings.Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday it had carried out a "massive" attack on Ukraine using long-range air and sea-based weapons and drones to target military infrastructure, including airfields.Moscow has denied targeting civilians in its war against Ukraine, although thousands have been killed and residential areas extensively damaged by its attacks.Zelenskiy again urged the international community to act decisively to cut off Russia's energy revenues that fund its invasion. Ukraine has so far failed to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to impose punitive sanctions on Moscow."The time for decisive action is long overdue, and we count on a strong response from the United States, Europe, the G7, and the G20," he said on the Telegram messaging app.Kyiv awoke to loud explosions, drones flying overhead and air defences booming. Smoke from one of the strike sites drifted across the morning sky as the air raid alert ended at 09:13 a.m. (0613 GMT), nearly seven hours after it began.Reuters journalists visited an area in the suburbs of Kyiv, where rows of newly built homes were almost totally destroyed, and parked cars flattened by falling debris.Residents sifted through the wreckage of an apartment block after their windows were blown in by the force of a blast.Some people hurried to metro stations underground, from where they followed events on their mobile phones.Attacks on such a scale have stretched Ukraine's limited air defences throughout 2025. Zelenskiy said on Saturday an additional Patriot missile system from Israel had been deployed and he expected two more to arrive this autumn.He and other officials have asked international partners for more to protect Ukraine's skies, but air defence systems are limited in availability and other nations are keen to bolster their defences amid perceived threats from Russia.Zelenskiy said Sunday's attack targeted several regions, including the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, where authorities said at least 16 people were injured.Emergency services said at least four people were killed, while 67 people were reported wounded across the country by local authorities.Among the fatalities was a 12-year-old girl, although that has not been officially confirmed, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Kyiv Wednesday there was a chance to end the war in Ukraine via negotiations "if common sense prevails", an option he said he preferred, but that he was ready to end it by force if that was the only way.Speaking in Beijing at the end of a visit that resulted in an agreement on a new gas pipeline to China, Putin said he perceived "a certain light at the end of the tunnel", given what he said were sincere efforts by the United States to find a settlement to Europe's biggest land war since World War Two."It seems to me that if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to end this conflict. That is my assumption," Putin told reporters."Especially since we can see the mood of the current US administration under President (Donald) Trump, and we see not just their statements, but their sincere desire to find this solution... And I think there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel. Let's see how the situation develops," he said."If not, then we will have to resolve all the tasks before us by force of arms." However, Putin indicated no willingness to soften his long-standing demands, including that Kyiv abandon any idea of joining Nato and that it end what Moscow says is discrimination against Russian speakers.He said he was ready to hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskiy if the Ukrainian president came to Moscow, but that any such meeting had to be well prepared and lead to tangible results.Ukraine's foreign minister dismissed as "unacceptable" the suggestion of Moscow as a venue for such a meeting.FAR APARTZelenskiy has been pressing to meet Putin to discuss the terms of a possible deal even though the two sides remain far apart. He has urged Washington to impose further sanctions on Russia if Putin does not agree.Trump - who has been trying to broker a peace settlement - has also said he wants the two leaders to meet and has threatened, but not yet imposed, secondary sanctions on Russia.Putin, whose economy is showing signs of strain after being hit with sweeping Western sanctions, said he would prefer to end the war diplomatically, "by peaceful means", if possible.Russia claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions, a claim Kyiv and most Western countries reject as an illegal land grab backed by a colonial-style war of conquest.