Ukrainska Pravda

Zelenskyy: Russia has attacked energy infrastructure in four oblasts, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without power

Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian oblasts on the night of 31 October-1 November. As of this morning, hundreds of thousands of households remain without electricity.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: Zelenskyy said that substations, transformers and power lines in Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi oblasts had come under attack.

Repair crews are working on the ground to restore the electricity supply.

Zelenskyy also reported that Russia has launched 1,940 attack drones, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs and 44 missiles, 36 of them ballistic, against Ukraine over the past week.

The president stressed that the Russians are trying to exploit the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.

Quote: "Every day, we communicate our need for Patriot missiles to America, Europe, and other partners who can help. And this month, the United States and European countries made new decisions on additional packages for Ukraine. But these deliveries cannot take years."

Details: Zelenskyy said Russia is relying on ballistic missile strikes this winter, so decisions to strengthen Ukraine's air defences must be implemented now.

Background:

• Russian strikes damaged energy infrastructure in Zhytomyr and Kyiv oblasts.

• On the night of 31 October-1 November, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Vinnytsia Oblast, including on energy infrastructure facilities. In Vinnytsia, a mobile phone mast, windows in apartment blocks and other civilian facilities were damaged.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.

pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/11/01/8060713/

#Ukraine #News #UkraineWar

Trump-Putin diesel deal has not lowered US fuel prices – WSJ

Average US diesel prices have risen by 7 cents since US President Donald Trump reached a deal with Russia on diesel supplies.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Details: According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of a gallon of diesel in the US reached US$6.35 on Wednesday 28 October (about US$1.68 per litre), up from US$6.28 per gallon when Trump announced the deal.

On 9 October, Trump wrote that Russia was expected to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets in October, a further 500,000 tonnes in November, and another 1 million tonnes immediately afterwards.

However, the newspaper reported that analysts remain sceptical that the deal will help bring down high diesel prices in the US and worldwide.

Experts also say Russia may be unable to export the promised volumes of diesel because of the poor condition of its oil refineries and export restrictions.

Even if Russia manages to do so, the promised volumes would cover only a fraction of the global shortfall. They amount to just over 100,000 barrels per day in October and around 125,000 barrels per day in November. In 2025, Russia was able to ship around 800,000 barrels per day.

Background:

• On 22 October, the first tanker carrying 40,000 tonnes of Russian diesel set sail for New York. The vessel is expected to arrive in the US on 7 November. Two more tankers were subsequently added.

• One of the three tankers is under sanctions imposed by the EU, the UK and Canada.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!

pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/29/8060230/

#Ukraine #News #UkraineWar

China to license export of engines for Russian Geran drones

China has introduced export licensing for certain categories of drones, along with their components and technologies.

Source: Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, citing a clarification from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce

Details: Vlasiuk said the new rules will take effect on 18 November and will cover, among other things, the engines used in Russian Geran attack drones.

Quote: "Formally, the core of Russian long-range attack drones has fallen under control. This includes engines for Gerans, turbojet engines for jet-powered modifications, autopilots and jam-resistant navigation. However, whether anything will change in practice depends on how these rules are applied."

The remains of a jet engine from a Russian Geran-4 drone
Photo: Anna Shtopenko / UP

Details: Vlasiuk stressed that licensing does not equate to an export ban, adding that "general permits for up to three years are envisaged for 'reliable' exporters, alongside broad grounds for refusal".

At the same time, Vlasiuk noted that the new requirements largely do not apply to components for mass-produced frontline FPV drones.

"The new thresholds do not cover motors and speed controllers for FPVs, batteries, cameras or fibre optics. Production equipment is not covered either," he explained.

A Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine used in Russian Geran-3 attack drones
Photo: War&Sanctions

Vlasiuk described China's decision as an opportunity for Ukraine, since Beijing is officially taking responsibility for controlling specific categories of goods.

"We will demand that the new rules be applied to known suppliers of the Russian defence industry. Together with our partners, we will track licences, transit channels and re-exports," he stated.

Vlasiuk said the introduction of the new rules is big news and grounds for cautious optimism.

Background:

• Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russia had begun learning to produce Chinese Telefly TF-TJ2000A jet engines for the Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones. They are assembled from Chinese kits at the Alabuga industrial facility.

• It was also reported that Russia is experiencing problems in procuring Chinese jet engines for drones. According to Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), this is the result of sanctions imposed by Ukraine and its partners.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.

pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/27/8059924/

#Ukraine #News #UkraineWar