During a nighttime attack on 25 October, Russian kamikaze drones may have targeted the Khmelnytkyy nuclear power plant, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily video address to Ukrainian citizens
President Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian air defense shot down all Russian kamikaze drones over the Khmelnytkyy Oblast (western Ukraine) close to the nuclear power plant.
“Khmelnytskyy Oblast, the city of Slavuta. The Shaheds [Iranian-made kamikaze drones used by Russia against Ukraine – ed.] were shot down, but many buildings have sustained damage: shattered windows, doors, and roofs of the buildings. It is most likely that the Khmelnytskyy nuclear power plant was the target of these drones, as the blast wave smashed windows, including those on the territory of the nuclear power plant,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Zelenskyy, two dozen local residents were injured in the Russian nighttime drone attack on the city of Slavuta. Every Russian strike is an argument that pressure on Russia is insufficient, Zelenskyy said.
“This strike towards the nuclear power station is another reminder to all our partners of how important it is to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and how dangerous it can be when Russia can bypass international sanctions. Many components in the attack drones used by Russian terrorists, as well as in their missiles, originate from various countries, and various companies, including Western ones. The effectiveness of sanctions against Russia is literally a defense against terrorism,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy announced that he will discuss the strengthening and expansion of sanctions against Russia with EU leaders during the European Council meeting on 26 October.
Zelenskyy also commented on Ukrainian ATACMS strikes at the airfields in Russian-occupied Berdiansk and Luhansk last week.
“After our troops struck the airfields in Berdiansk and Luhansk, we see that the occupiers are relocating their aviation further. Specifically, they are attempting to redeploy it from the territory of our Crimea. This is a good sign. First, the Russian fleet flees, and now Russian aviation is fleeing. The habit of running will be very useful for Russia. Because they will have to flee all our land. Without exceptions,” Zelenskyy said.
Overnight into 25 October, at 1 p.m., Russia attacked the Khmelnytsky Oblast with Shaheds for the fourth day in a row. As a result, 16 people were injured.
On 17 October, Ukraine used US-provided ATACMS long-range missiles to strike Russian-controlled helicopter airfields in the occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk. It was the first time Ukraine’s Armed Forces used ATACMS missiles. In a nightly address that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that ATACMS “have proven themselves.”
Related:
- Another Russian strike on Khmelnytskyi Oblast hits nuclear plant area, injuring 16
- Zelenskyy: Ukraine will respond to Russia’s critical infrastructure strikes
- Oryx confirms Ukraine destroyed nine Russian helicopters with ATACMS missiles
- Ukraine’s Defense Minister: ATACMS have significant impact on the battlefield
- Operation Dragonfly: Ukraine claims destruction of Russia’s nine helicopters at occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk airfields