Russia and Ukraine engaged in reciprocal strikes against each other's energy infrastructure overnight, resulting in severe disruptions on both sides of the conflict. In Ukraine, the city of Dnipro experienced a near-total blackout following Russian attacks that damaged critical facilities. According to the private energy company DTEK, emergency power cuts were implemented early Friday across Dnipro and the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the military administration in the region, stated via Telegram that more than 350,000 residents were left without electricity as crews worked to restore supply.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces targeted Russian energy assets, setting fire to an oil refinery in Novokuibyshevsk within Russia's Samara Oblast. The facility, which produces jet fuel for the Russian armed forces, was hit by a drone attack. Earlier on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed two Russian Su-34 fighter jets and struck an Iskander missile launcher.
Zelenskyy issued a stark warning regarding future Russian aggression during an evening address from Kyiv. He revealed intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing new high-speed ballistic missile attacks and urgently called on Ukraine's allies to supply more air defense interceptors, specifically for Patriot systems. "We now have intel about the Russians preparing new ballistic missile attacks," Zelenskyy said, emphasizing the need for capabilities to counter these threats while awaiting decisions from international partners. Ukraine currently faces an acute shortage of interceptors needed to shoot down incoming Russian ballistic missiles.
The violence has continued to claim civilian lives in recent days. Officials reported that at least 14 people were killed early Thursday in an attack on a rail platform in Dnipro, with at least six additional deaths occurring in strikes later that day. Despite the ongoing hostilities, a six-day local ceasefire in Kherson in southern Ukraine appeared to hold for a third day, fostering cautious optimism about the possibility of a broader truce.
Diplomatic efforts remain active but challenging. While previous attempts at a peace deal have been unsuccessful, a new round of U.S.-brokered negotiations is expected next month in Abu Dhabi, with both sides stressing the necessity of security guarantees. However, tensions have risen between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump in recent weeks. The Trump administration has taken steps perceived as favoring Russia, including easing economic sanctions. Reuters reported that the Pentagon has advised NATO allies to reduce public criticism of Russia. Additionally, Trump accused Ukraine of raising fuel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 through attacks on Russian energy facilities. An "energy ceasefire" announced by Trump on October 11 failed to produce meaningful results.
Sources: CNBC Markets.