NU.nl regularly provides an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: the whole of Ukraine is without electricity, because Russia continues to bomb the energy grid. And the European Union has agreed on sanctions against Iran. There is now sufficient evidence that the country has sold devastating drones to Russia.
On Thursday, anti-aircraft sirens sounded again in many places in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that 25 places were bombed.
Russia continues to bomb the country’s energy grid. According to the Kremlin, the attacks have continued for the past 24 hours. The wave of heavy shelling began on 10 October.
These attacks have repercussions on Ukraine’s energy supply. Ukrainian authorities rationed power across the country for the first time since the war began. Previously, parts of the population had to take rations. The national energy company Ukrenergo has urged Ukrainians to “charge everything” before the electricity goes out at 7 am.
Power outages can last up to four hours. Authorities are asking residents to charge phones, flashlights and batteries and provide “warm socks, blankets and soft toys for family and friends.”
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Before Russia has destroyed about 30 percent of Ukrainian power plants since 10 October. On Wednesday evening, he claimed in his video message that the early morning attacks caused further damage. Three more power plants are said to have been destroyed.
Germany offers the Ukrainian brigade a training post
Germany will train a Ukrainian brigade of up to 5,000 people before spring. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday at the Bundestag in Berlin. According to the head of government, Germany wants to make it clear that it also wants to contribute to the long-term effectiveness of the Ukrainian army.
On Monday, EU foreign ministers agreed to train some 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers together. The headquarters will be in Germany.
The EU takes a decision on Iranian sanctions
The European Union is punishing an Iranian drone manufacturer and three generals from that country for attacking the Russian army in Ukraine fight drones supply. The EU is also targeting four previously sanctioned Iranian organizations and companies, warns the current EU president Czechia.
The EU imposes punitive measures, among others, on the chief of staff of the Iranian army. It plays a key role in cooperation with Russia. He is also in charge of the Iranian drone program. A general in charge of the purchase contract with Russia and another general in charge of the Iranian drone command are also punished.
The three generals cannot enter the Member States and can no longer access goods stored in the European Union. Furthermore, EU citizens are not allowed to do business with them. The latter two measures also apply to Shahed Aviation Industries, the manufacturer of the unmanned aircraft.
The sanctions came “in record time,” the Czech Republic noted with satisfaction. On Monday, some EU countries demanded further evidence that Iran is behind the deliveries of the Shahed drones, among others. These drones have claimed many lives in Ukraine. Member States now believe that Iran’s involvement has been sufficiently demonstrated.
