Ukraine: At least 26 killed in Russian strikes on aid center

The multiple attacks took place in the village of Komyshuvakha, about 35 kilometers east of the city of Zaporizhzhia and a dozen kilometers away from the frontline. Russian planes reportedly launched more than 10 glide bombs during the assault.

Ukrainian emergency services confirmed that two members of a rescue crew were among the dead, falling victim to the so-called double-tap strike in which a location is targeted again specifically to hit first responders.

Ceasefire accusations

The attacks came less than 24 hours after a localized six-day humanitarian ceasefire in and around the town of Oleshky in the neighboring region of Kherson had expired. Ukraine's General Staff accused Russia of using the break in fighting to rearm its forces and rotate troops.

In a social media post, the Ukrainian military stated: Defense Forces of Ukraine ensured that the ceasefire was observed and acted exclusively within the framework of the agreements reached. The enemy, by contrast, used the humanitarian pause to improve its positions. Residents in the Kherson region were warned to be vigilant as attacks were expected to intensify.

The Kremlin dismissed the critique, calling such activity normal practice and suggesting Ukraine could have used the ceasefire to re-group as well.

Energy crisis and evacuations

Ukraine energy provider DTEK announced emergency power cuts in Kyiv and surrounding regions following Russian attacks that left over 200,000 Ukrainians without power. The company stated that equipment in the region has been seriously damaged due to enemy attacks.

Ukraine's military reported evacuating about 170 people from the Kherson region before the ceasefire expired. Among those evacuated were 22 children and 21 individuals requiring mobility assistance. Kherson's regional governor urged remaining residents to avoid red zones where the threat of Russian strikes remains extremely high.

Diplomatic maneuvers

Zelenskyy offered to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries if Washington provided Patriot interceptor missiles. Speaking to Fox News, he said: We said that if you want us not to attack Russia's refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid.

The Ukrainian leader proposed that if Washington provided the missile systems for one month, Kyiv would cease refinery attacks for the same period. Ukraine has been warning for weeks that its supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles were dwindling.

Meanwhile, the US was reportedly pushing to restore Russian natural gas sales to Europe via Ukraine as part of talks aimed at securing an energy ceasefire before winter. The proposal involved selling Russian gas via a US intermediary to circumvent European sanctions.

Cyber attacks

Emergency alert apps in both Ukraine and Russia were hacked, officials confirmed. Ukraine's air force reported that an air raid alert app was hacked with fake alerts sent warning of nuclear and chemical threats. Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications blamed Russia for the hack.

Hours later, Moscow announced that the mobile app of the Russian Emergencies Ministry had been hit by a massive cyberattack that enabled attackers to send false information to the public. Authorities in both countries were working to fix the issues.