Ukraine: ‘Moscow has attacked a merchant ship in the port of Mykolaiv’

Russia has attacked a merchant ship in the port of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, off the Black Sea coast. This was reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, which stated that the ship was being used by the Ukrainian armed forces. For its part, TASS reports, again citing the ministry and without providing further details, that overnight Russian military drones struck Ukrainian port infrastructure and vessels used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the Russian military department – the news agency adds – the attacks on the facilities continued throughout the night using remotely piloted aircraft.

Moscow is also pressing ahead with its plan to weaken, if not destroy, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure well before the onset of the harsh winter. From 9 am this morning, emergency power cuts have been introduced in some regions. As reported by Ukrinform, the news was announced by NPC Ukrenergo on Telegram. “Due to the difficult situation in the energy system caused by successive Russian bombardments, emergency power cuts have been introduced in some regions of Ukraine,” the report states. Energy sector technicians are working to restore a stable electricity supply as soon as possible.

The Russian army then attacked Zaporizhzhia at dawn with guided bombs, killing one person and injuring nine others, including a teenage girl. The regional prosecutor’s office reported this on Facebook, adding that the attacks lasted from 4.50 am to 5.59 am and targeted the city’s civilian infrastructure. The enemy attacks – the Prosecutor’s Office stated – damaged residential buildings, an extracurricular education centre and vehicles. Furthermore, “a 48-year-old man died as a result of the attack and nine other people were injured, including a 14-year-old girl.”

The Ukrainians continue to attack Russian border regions. Two people were killed and four others, including a child, were injured following a bombardment carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Belgorod region. According to TASS, this was reported by the regional operational headquarters. According to the statement, a couple died in the village of Razumnoye after a shell struck their private home. Four people were injured: a man suffered acoustic trauma and superficial abrasions to his back and shoulder, whilst his wife and 10-year-old son sustained injuries attributable to acoustic trauma. One house was completely destroyed; an adjacent property suffered partial damage to the roof, broken windows and damage to the fence.