Russia targets Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy imposes new sanctions - Weekend brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
Russia has once again attacked Ukraine's energy sector, resulting in longer and more frequent power outages across the country. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed new sanctions against Russia, while China is meeting the US halfway on rare earth metal exports.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Drones, Kinzhal missiles and Kalibr cruise rockets - Combined attack on Ukraine main points
On November 8, Russian forces launched a massive strike across Ukraine, using drones, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Kalibr cruise missiles, according to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine provides a detailed report of everything known about the consequences of the enemy’s combined attack.
Emergency power cuts were imposed twice in Kyiv, while Kremenchuk was left completely without electricity. Kharkiv also experienced a blackout that evening, and the city's metro system was out of service for two days in a row.'
Russia targets Ukraine's landmark biomass plant in overnight drone strike
On the night of November 9, Russian forces attacked the first large biomass-powered thermal power plant in Ukraine, reports Andriy Grinenko, Founder, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Clear Energy Group.
He said the attack targeted the plant the company built in 2016. Three Russian drones struck it overnight.
"It became a benchmark for the industry — the first large biomass plant to prove to Ukraine that energy independence starts with local resources," Grinenko wrote.
Zelenskyy slaps 'special' sanctions on Russian officials and publishers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has signed new sanctions measures, which he called "special."
He stated that the restrictions target representatives of Russian government structures, "wallets" of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, collaborators, and individuals involved in looting temporarily occupied territories.
The president noted that Russia is trying to prolong the war while simultaneously legitimizing the occupation of Ukrainian territories, including through propaganda and false “sanctions” decisions against Ukrainian officials.
China suspends export ban on critical industrial materials to US until 2026'
China has suspended its export ban to the United States on gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials, and other rare earth metals, which had been prohibited since December 2024.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on November 9 that it would suspend the export ban until November 27, 2026. Previously, the exports had been blocked since December 2024.
The ministry also announced it would suspend end-user and destination checks for the export of "dual-use" graphite to the United States. The suspension will last for one year.
Massive blackout hits Belgorod, thousands of Russians left in darkness
In Belgorod, Russia, a massive blackout occurred on the evening of November 8, leaving at least 20,000 residents without power. Russians reported what they claim was a missile strike, according to Russian media.
The attack targeted the Luch thermal power plant in the city. The strike damaged gas turbine units at the plant, causing them to stop working. The Luch plant supplies electricity to Belgorod and nearby settlements.
Parts of Belgorod remain without power. Governor of the Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov said more than 20,000 people are affected. He also claimed that Russian air defenses "intercepted" the aerial targets and blamed "debris" for the situation.
Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missile outmatches US Tomahawk in range and warhead
The Ukrainian cruise missile Flamingo, now being produced by the company Fire Point, outperforms the American Tomahawk on some measures. It exceeds the Tomahawk in range and warhead size.
The Flamingo, with a stated range of 3,000 kilometers and a warhead of more than one ton, is one of Ukraine's newest weapons. It uses a Soviet turboprop engine and can fly at about 900 kilometers per hour.
White House denies Orbán's claim of indefinite US sanctions exemption
The administration of US President Donald Trump has denied claims by the Hungarian side that Budapest was allegedly exempt from American sanctions on the import of Russian oil and gas. Washington emphasized that the exemption applies only for one year, according to Reuters.
According to the agency, discrepancies arose following the visit of a Hungarian delegation to the United States. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó wrote on Facebook that the negotiations were “completely successful” and claimed that the prime minister had allegedly secured an unlimited exemption from sanctions.
