Russia has launched multiple attacks with 48 missiles and 470 drones primarily targeting regions in central and western Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force on their Telegram channel. Ukrainian authorities and media have reported explosions in regions like Lviv and Ternopil. Volodymyr Zelensky confirms ten dead and 40 injured.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has announced emergency power cuts in various areas of the country so that energy sector workers can urgently repair the damages caused by Russian missiles and drones.
Simultaneously, ten residential buildings have been damaged, and 36 people have been injured in the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, which was targeted by Russian drones.
Kremlin Avoids Commenting on Possible Peace Plan for Ukraine Agreed with the US
The Kremlin avoided commenting on the new peace plan for Ukraine being secretly negotiated with the United States, without the participation of Ukraine or its European partners, according to the American media Axios.
"In this case, there is no news that I could share with you," said the Russian Presidency spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, when asked by journalists about possible negotiations with Washington on the matter.
Peskov mentioned that "there were discussions" about the Ukrainian conflict in Alaska, where the Presidents of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the United States, Donald Trump, met on August 15, but added that there is nothing more to add.
Orbán Calls the EU's Idea of Jointly Financing Ukraine Absurd
The Prime Minister of Hungary, the ultranationalist Viktor Orbán, described as "absurd" and "impossible" the proposal of the European Commission (EC) to resort to a joint credit from EU countries to grant Ukraine a subsidy.
"(EC President) Ursula von der Leyen has once again asked the Member States for more money to finance Ukraine and the war," Orbán stated on the social network Facebook, adding that "Brussels' magic solution" would be a common European credit. According to the Prime Minister, "this is more than impossible. It is absurd."
Brussels suggests that EU countries grant Ukraine a subsidy of 90 billion euros or a credit financed through joint debt issuance if an agreement is not reached to provide the country with a loan funded by Russian assets frozen by sanctions.
Poland to Close the Russian Consulate in Gdansk
The Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, announced on Wednesday that he will withdraw consent for the operation of the last operational Russian consulate in Poland, in Gdansk, in response to the railway sabotage last weekend.
"It was not just an act of sabotage, but also an act of state terrorism. We will respond, and not just diplomatically," said Radoslaw Sikorski to lawmakers, indicating that the response will be given in the coming days.
The weekend explosion on the Warsaw-Lublin line, connecting the Polish capital with the Ukrainian border, followed a wave of fires, sabotage, and cyberattacks in Poland and other European countries since the start of the large-scale invasion in 2022.
Power Line Restored at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
One of the external power lines of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was restored on Wednesday, as reported by the Russian-appointed management in a statement.
The nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March 2022 when Russian forces occupied much of southeastern Ukraine. Currently not generating electricity, it depends on external supply to keep the nuclear material cooled and prevent the risk of meltdown.
The Dniprovska line resumed operation after being disconnected earlier this month by the plant's protection systems, the statement indicated.
Zelensky Arrives in Turkey to Revive Peace Negotiations with Russia
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, arrived in Turkey on Wednesday to hold talks to boost diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the war caused by the Russian invasion.
Initially, Zelensky was scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump's Special Representative for Russia and the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, although according to the American publication Axios, his presence has been postponed. Turkish media also cast doubt on the American's presence in Ankara today, although there is no official communication on the matter.
It was confirmed yesterday that Russia will not participate today in talks expected to address "efforts to establish a ceasefire and achieve a lasting solution, particularly within the Istanbul Process," stated the Turkish Presidency's communication office.
Russia Shoots Down 65 Ukrainian Drones over Four Regions and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down last night 65 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over four regions of the country and the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as reported on Wednesday by the Russian Ministry of Defense on their Telegram channel.
"During the night of November 18, from 23:00 to 7:00 (GMT+3) on November 19, the anti-aircraft defense systems intercepted and destroyed 65 Ukrainian unmanned vehicles," the military report stated.
According to Defense, the highest number of downings occurred over the waters of the Black Sea, where 16 drones were shot down. Another nine devices were destroyed over the Sea of Azov.
The remaining drones were intercepted and destroyed over the regions of Voronezh (14), Krasnodar (14), Belgorod (11), and Bryansk (1), all neighboring Ukraine.
Romania Scrambles Fighters after Ukrainian Drone Incursion during Russian Attack on Ukraine
Romania activated fighter jets on Wednesday after a drone violated its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, reported the Ministry of Defense.
This EU and NATO member, which shares 650 km of border with Ukraine, has repeatedly seen remnants of Russian drones falling on its territory as Moscow attacks Ukrainian port facilities across the Danube River, facing Romania.
The ministry noted that radar first detected the signal of a drone eight km inside national airspace, near the towns of Periprava and Chilia Veche, in Tulcea County.
Zelensky States Nine Dead from Russian Missile Attacks
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that the recent Russian drone and missile attacks have left at least nine dead in the Ternopil region.
"Russia launched 470 drones and 48 missiles tonight," lamented Zelensky. The attacks caused damage to energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure in at least five regions.
Spain Far Behind Allies in Military Aid to Ukraine
Spain's modest contribution to Ukraine's defense added another 300 million in unspecified "defensive" equipment yesterday, including anti-aircraft missiles toprotect Ukrainian cities from the formidable Russian missiles and drones. Unfortunately, this ammunition only lasts a few nights of bombardment in this bloody war of attrition.