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Ukraine’s electricity grid operator has warned of hours-long blackouts as Russia cripples energy infrastructure with renewed artillery and missile attacks that have cut power to 40 percent of the population at the start of winter. Ukrenergo said outages could last several hours with cooler temperatures putting additional pressure on networks. “You always have to prepare for the worst. We understand that the enemy wants to destroy our power system in general, to cause major outages,” said CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi. In the northeastern region of Kharkiv, overnight shelling and shelling of critical infrastructure destroyed energy equipment, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. Moscow’s attacks in recent weeks have left millions without heating and electricity. Meanwhile, Kyiv said Putin lost another 350 troops, bringing the toll to more than 83,400. British intelligence suggests Russian forces are rearranging defenses against more major Ukrainian breakthroughs, suggesting Moscow fears more casualties. Separately, a leading Ukrainian human rights researcher released a video of an alleged torture chamber used by Russian forces in Kherson, where captive locals were given electric shocks.
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Putin backs idea of Turkish ‘gas hub’
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the idea of creating a Turkish “gas hub” with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a phone call, the Kremlin says. Putin first proposed the creation of a natural gas base in Turkey in October as a means of redirecting supplies from the damaged Nord Stream pipelines and exporting them to the European market, an idea backed by Mr Erdogan. The Kremlin said the two sides also discussed the agreed extension of the Black Sea grain deal, a deal that has helped Turkey ensure the safe passage of grain exports through blockaded Ukrainian ports. “Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the importance of a comprehensive and full implementation of this ‘package’ agreement,” the Kremlin said. Jane Dalton November 18, 2022 3:00 p.m 1668781827
Our experts analyze Poland’s missile site, Ukrainian minister says
Ukrainian experts are working at the site in the border region of southeastern Poland where a rocket killed two people, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. He tweeted that Ukraine would continue “open and constructive” cooperation with Poland over Tuesday’s incident, in which two people were killed. Warsaw and its Western allies say evidence from the scene suggests the explosion was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile that was deflected in pursuit of a Russian missile. Kyiv denies this, saying it has evidence of a “Russian trace” in the blast. “Ukrainian experts are already working at the scene of the tragedy in Przewodów caused by the Russian missile strike against Ukraine,” Mr. Kuleba wrote. Jane Dalton November 18, 2022 2:30 p.m 1668779979
Power outages are set to increase further, operator warns
Power grid chiefs are warning of further blackouts after Russian forces renewed artillery and missile attacks on the power grid. Grid operator Ukrenergo said outages could last several hours. “You always have to prepare for the worst – we understand that the enemy wants to destroy our electricity system in general, to cause major blackouts,” Ukrenergo CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi told Ukrainian state television. “We need to prepare for possible long outages, but at the moment we are introducing timetables that are planned and we will do everything we can to ensure that the outages are not too long.” The power situation in critical facilities such as hospitals and schools has stabilized, he said. Overnight shelling and rocket attacks on Kharkiv’s critical infrastructure destroyed equipment, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine’s power and energy facilities in recent weeks have left millions without heating and electricity, fueling fears of what the dead of winter will bring. On Tuesday, Russia launched a nationwide barrage of more than 100 missiles and drones that knocked out power to 10 million people. The attacks also affected neighboring countries such as Moldova, where half a dozen cities suffered temporary power outages. (AP) Jane Dalton November 18, 2022 1:59 p.m 1668777408
Ukraine raids targeting military and energy infrastructure. says Russia
Russia’s Defense Ministry says its strikes in Ukraine today targeted military and energy infrastructure, according to Russian news agencies. It also reported that missile manufacturing facilities were hit. Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 13:16 1668775548
EU Trade Commissioner in Ukraine
The European Union Trade Commissioner visits Kyiv for talks with the President of Ukraine on EU support to the country: Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 12:45 1668773675
No talk of summit between US and Russian presidents, Kremlin says
There is no talk of a summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 12:14 1668771995
Putin and Erdogan have a telephone conversation
Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that an announcement would be made soon, without giving details. Turkey’s presidency said Mr Erdogan should revive repeated diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 11:46 1668770435
Russian activist dedicates award to anti-war protesters
A jailed Russian opposition activist honored by a human rights group dedicated his award to the thousands of people arrested or detained in Russia for protesting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The UN Observatory awarded Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was jailed in April, its highest human rights award. His wife accepted the award and read a letter from her husband saluting journalists, lawyers, artists, priests, politicians, soldiers and others “who refused to remain silent in the face of this atrocity, even at the cost of personal freedom.” .
Imprisoned Russian activist honored with human rights award
A jailed Russian opposition activist honored by a human rights group dedicated his award to the thousands of people arrested or detained in Russia for protesting President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 11:20 1668768875
Pictures from Kherson
Here are some images from the southern city of Kherson since the retreat of Russian troops: A man plays the guitar and sings songs to the people of Kherson (Getty Images) A damaged vehicle lies at the bottom of an office complex used as headquarters for Russian forces (Getty Images) Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 10:54 1668766475
Putin at the Armenia summit
Vladimir Putin will visit a summit of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization next week in Armenia, the Kremlin said. Zoe Tidman18 November 2022 10:14
