Ukraine is continuing to strengthen its air defense. While negotiations continue for further “joint steps” in this direction, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on X that, thanks to Berlin, he has increased the component of Patriot, the American long-range air defense missile systems. Meanwhile, in Russia an attack by Ukrainian drone has caused a fire on an oil tanker and in the infrastructure of the port of Tuapse. Today, thousands of Ukrainian homes were left without electricity due to a Russian attack that occurred during the night in the Zaporizhzhia region. A situation shared by other regions of the country. Meanwhile, the defense of Pokrovsk continues, essential for Ukraine to keep the last strip of Donbass still under its control: after Kiev sent its special forces and intelligence units, some Russian units prevented a breakthrough, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Russia insists that Ukrainian troops are"surrounded," a claim Kiev has already denied.
Air defense
“ I thank Germany and personally Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint step to protect human lives from Russian terror,” Zelensky announced via social media, confirming the receipt and installation of the US-made air defense systems supplied by Berlin. “We have been preparing this air defense strengthening for a long time, and now the agreements reached have been implemented. I thank everyone who contributed,” he added. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Russian air strikes are Vladimir Putin's “main strategy.” “Our capabilities will be able to ensure security not only for Ukraine, but also for our partners , when necessary.”
Oil tanker fires
Tuapse is home to a major oil export terminal and a refinery belonging to Russia's state oil company Rosneft. The Ukrainian drone strike that started the fires, Ukrainian intelligence officials told the local Associated Press. Images on social media appear to show flames engulfing port facilities and the tanker on the Black Sea, with several fires visible throughout the port area. Officials said five drone strikes had been recorded and that the operation was carried out by special forces from the Security Service of Ukraine (GUR) and other defense forces. Local Russian authorities said that “ two foreign civilian vessels ” were damaged.
Regions without electricity
Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov said that nearly 60,000 people had suffered power outages and two people had been injured in the attacks. He posted photos of buildings reduced to rubble on Telegram. Other regions also experienced rolling blackouts following the airstrikes, Ukraine's national energy company Ukrenergo reported. Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported that the partially occupied Donetsk region was also without power, as were parts of Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions. “It is clear that Moscow aims to inflict damage primarily on our population. That is why we are actively working to ensure reliable support for our energy sector this winter. We already have concrete agreements with our partners. Through contributions to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine or by providing the necessary equipment, the United States, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Spain, and the European Commission are already supporting us,” Zelensky said.
