- Russian drone strikes on energy facilities in Odesa and Chernihiv left nearly 60,000 Ukrainians without power, while Ukraine vowed deeper retaliatory strikes inside Russia.
- Ukraine accused Moscow of exaggerating battlefield gains, as Zelenskiy pressed for stronger U.S., European, and G20 backing.
Russian drones struck power facilities in northern and southern Ukraine overnight, cutting electricity to nearly 60,000 residents. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded by ordering retaliatory strikes deep inside Russia.
Both sides have intensified airstrikes three and a half years into the war. Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy and transport infrastructure, while Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries and pipelines. After meeting Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrsky, Zelenskiy posted on X: “We will continue our active operations in exactly the way needed for Ukraine’s defence. The forces and resources are prepared. New deep strikes have also been planned.”
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that Russian drones damaged four energy facilities in the Odesa region, leaving 29,000 residents without power early Sunday. The port city of Chornomorsk suffered the most damage, and Russian strikes destroyed homes and administrative buildings, Governor Oleh Kiper said. He added that authorities run critical infrastructure on generators and confirmed one person sustained injuries.
A civilian bulk carrier flying the Belize flag struck an unknown explosive device near the port and sustained minor damage, two sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
In northern Ukraine, Governor Viacheslav Chaus said Russian drones hit the Chernihiv region, damaged energy infrastructure, and cut power to 30,000 households, including parts of Nizhyn. The Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched 142 drones overnight. Ukrainian air defence intercepted most, but the drones struck ten locations. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that its forces hit Ukrainian port infrastructure used for military purposes.
Russian forces failed to capture any major Ukrainian city despite claiming a successful summer offensive, the Ukrainian military said, adding that Moscow exaggerated its territorial gains. The Kremlin accused European powers of obstructing U.S. peace efforts and vowed to continue operations until Kyiv showed readiness for negotiations.
Moscow launched two large-scale attacks over the past week, killing dozens of civilians and destroying homes and urban infrastructure. Zelenskiy stressed that Russia wants war alone and called on the United States, Europe, and G20 nations to maintain strong pressure. The U.S. special envoy to Ukraine said Russian attacks undermined peace efforts, and Pope Leo urged all parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than conflict.