Russia continues to target Ukrainian strategic infrastructures every night. The Air Force reported that Moscow launched 172 drones and two missiles since yesterday afternoon, causing damage to electrical infrastructures and delays in some trains.
The Kirovohrad region has been one of the most affected. "So far, the regional capital and 44 localities in the Oleksandrivka community have been partially disconnected from the power supply," announced Governor Andriy Raykovych. Some homes were damaged, and emergency services reported several fires.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba also reported the Russian nighttime attack on the railway infrastructure. "Last night, the enemy launched a massive drone attack in an attempt to disable the substations supplying the railway network," he wrote on Telegram.
"These attacks have a clear objective: to disrupt passenger and freight transport, destabilize transportation operations, and exert additional pressure on the population and the economy," he lamented.
Merz: "Russia Wants to Destabilize Our Free Societies"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday that Russia's violation of Polish and Romanian airspace is part of a long trend of testing limits and sabotage by Vladimir Putin, as reported by Reuters.
"Russia insidiously wants to destabilize our free societies," Merz declared to the Lower House of Parliament, the Bundestag, adding that a peace agreement in the Ukraine war cannot come at the cost of political sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kiev. "A dictated peace, a peace without freedom, would encourage Putin to seek his next target," he added.
Zelenski Pays Tribute to Emergency Personnel
"Today is the day of those who, despite everything, save lives and always come to the rescue. Our emergency teams are among the first to arrive at the sites of Russian attacks, rescuing people from the rubble, extinguishing fires, and providing support. Here in Ukraine, we know we can always count on your help, anywhere and anytime," he wrote on his X account.
"I thank all the personnel of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. I thank all those who have chosen this difficult but very important mission: to save others. We always remember all the rescuers who gave their lives helping and saving our people. Glory to Ukraine!"
Russia Shoots Down Eight Ukrainian Drones Across Four Regions
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that their Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down eight Ukrainian fixed-wing drones last night across four regions bordering Ukraine, as reported by Efe.
According to the military report, the unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed over the regions of Rostov (three), Bryansk (three), Voronezh (one), and Kursk (one).
Metsola Travels to Kiev and Expresses Support for Ukraine
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, arrived in Kiev on Wednesday for another visit to the Ukrainian capital with the aim, as she stated, of conveying the institution's support to the country.
"Back in Kiev. After 1,300 days since the start of the aggression, I am in Ukraine with a message of strong support from the European Parliament," wrote the Maltese politician on social media.
Metsola added that the European Parliament will continue to stand by the Ukrainians. The President of the Eurochamber has been characterized by her constant support for Kiev since the beginning of the war.
Russia Launches 172 Drones Against Ukraine
Russia launched a total of 172 drones and two missiles against Ukrainian territory since yesterday afternoon, in a new day of attacks that resulted in damage to Ukrainian electrical infrastructures causing delays in some trains.
According to the state railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, the damages from the Russian attacks on electrical substations have caused delays on some routes in the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The Ukrainian Air Force report stated that their defenses neutralized 136 of the long-distance drones launched by Russia. 36 drones and missiles were not intercepted and hit thirteen locations, as reported by Efe.
Fire Extinguished at Zaporiyia Fuel Depots
A fire that broke out at the fuel storage facilities of the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant after a Ukrainian attack has been extinguished, as reported by the RIA agency citing a plant representative.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on Tuesday that their team at the plant heard bombings near the site and observed black smoke rising from three nearby areas.
"The Objective of the Attacks is to Pressure the Population and Economy"
Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba also reported that Russia attacked the railway infrastructure in last night's attack, without specifying the location.
"Last night, the enemy launched a massive drone attack in an attempt to disable the substations supplying the railway network," he wrote on Telegram.
"These attacks have a clear objective: to disrupt passenger and freight transport, destabilize transportation operations, and exert additional pressure on the population and the economy," he emphasized.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Ukrainian State Railways, Ukrzaliznytsia, deployed over 20 reserve locomotives after the attack.
Drone Attack in Kirovohrad Region
Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian drone attack overnight on the Kirovohrad region partially cut off the power supply and affected railway operations, as reported by Reuters.
"So far, the regional capital and 44 localities in the territorial community of Oleksandrivka have been partially disconnected from the power supply," wrote regional governor Andriy Raykovych on the Telegram messaging app.
Some private homes were also damaged, and train travel was disrupted, he added. Emergency services reported fires in three different locations and confirmed no casualties.