Russian deadly attack on Ukraine, blackout in Belgorod after missile attack - Weekend brief
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On the night of September 28, Russia launched coordinated strikes on several Ukrainian cities, causing damage and casualties. Meanwhile, explosions in Russia’s Belgorod caused a citywide and regional blackout.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Massive Russian strike on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia leaves dozens wounded
On the night of Sunday, September 28, the Russian Federation carried out a coordinated strike on multiple Ukrainian cities. Reports indicate damage to buildings and casualties.
As a result of the attacks, four people were killed, including a 12-year-old girl who was crushed by a concrete slab. At the cardiology institute, a nurse and a patient lost their lives. Another person died at the site of a strike on civilian infrastructure.
Across Ukraine, more than 70 people are currently reported injured. At some locations, the strikes devastated entire neighborhoods. During recovery operations, structures collapsed, injuring two rescuers who are receiving medical assistance.
More than 1,500 rescuers and police officers have been deployed to eliminate the aftermath.
Russian Belgorod plunged into total blackout after massive missile strikes
On Sunday evening, September 28, powerful explosions rocked Belgorod in Russia, triggering a blackout across the city and parts of the surrounding region, according to Russian Telegram channels.
Posts on local channels indicate the explosions occurred around 6:45 PM local time. Preliminary reports suggest unidentified missiles struck the Belgorod CHP (Combined Heat and Power plant) and the Luch electrical substation.
Telegram channels also report blackouts in Stary Oskol, Gubkin, Shebekino, Chernyanka, Korocha, Dubovoye, and Severny.
Moldova election first results: Who's taking the lead
On Sunday, September 28, Moldova held parliamentary elections. Vote counting is underway, and the first results are already in, according to Moldova's Central Electoral Commission.
As of 10:15 PM Kyiv time, over 25% of votes had been counted across 612 polling stations. Preliminary results show two parties leading the race:
- The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by Maia Sandu, with 39.59%;
- The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc with 31.83%.
Trump changes rhetoric on Russia-Ukraine war - New York talks highlight of week
Although negotiations on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war have reached a lull, a landmark meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and the US took place this week.
RBC-Ukraine reports on what surprised everyone about Trump during this meeting and whether it will have any practical consequences.
Drones reportedly spotted at NATO-linked base in Norway and near Dutch airport
On Saturday, September 27, two more NATO countries reported sightings of unidentified drones — Norway and the Netherlands.
Media reports say that on Saturday morning, police officers and military personnel spotted drones at Ørland Air Base.
Police Chief of Staff Mattis Hamborg said the observations lasted two and a half hours. The drones were observed at least twice.
Meanwhile, NOS reported that an object resembling a drone was seen at Schiphol Airport today. The Polderbaan runway was closed for about 45 minutes after pilots and plane spotters suggested they had seen a drone.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil pumping station 1,000 km deep, sparking major fire, sources
Long-range drones from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Tingovatovo oil pumping station in Russia's Chuvash Republic on the night of September 27, disabling the station, sources told RBC-Ukraine.
The station’s operations were temporarily suspended to assess the extent of the damage, and the republic's head confirmed the attack.
