Russian forces carried out a deadly attack in Odesa overnight, damaging critical infrastructure and leaving thousands of residents in the southern Ukrainian city without heating.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing in Kyiv over the future of foreign military aid following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election.
However, Ukraine’s Defense Minister stated today that the military’s objective remains unchanged: the liberation of all territories occupied by Russia.
“Ukraine is fighting to liberate all territories occupied by Russia, and any claims to the contrary are false,” said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Friday.
“First and foremost, we are fighting for our values, freedoms, and national interests. Territorial integrity is part of these values,” Umerov said during a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart in Oslo.
When asked about reports suggesting that Ukraine is shifting its war objectives, Umerov dismissed these statements as false and part of Russian propaganda.
“We remain focused on protecting our people and nation, and on liberating territories under temporary occupation for nearly a decade. Crimea and Donbas are part of Ukraine,” he emphasized.
While Ukrainian forces are losing ground in the east, Kyiv is increasingly concerned about the future of foreign military aid following Republican Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections and his pledges to end the war.
The Russian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said yesterday that Russia is open to negotiations to end the war if they are initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the extent of Western aid to Kyiv and promised to swiftly end the conflict, though he has not provided details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently stated that peace can only be achieved after all Russian forces withdraw and all territories occupied by Moscow, including Crimea, are returned.
Meanwhile, authorities reported on Friday that a massive Russian attack on the southern city of Odesa killed one person and injured 10 others, leaving thousands of residents near the Black Sea port without electricity and heating.
“We were in the shelter, waiting. This is probably the most destructive attack I’ve witnessed in the war,” said Natalya, a local resident.
“A Shahed drone hit a building near a music school. We don’t know what was inside, but the situation looks severe,” explained Viachislav, another resident.
Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper stated on Telegram that the attack also damaged heating infrastructure in a maternity hospital.
For over two and a half years, Odesa and Ukraine’s southern port have been repeatedly targeted by Russian attacks.
A senior UN official warned on Friday that further Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy supply system could trigger a new wave of mass displacement.
As the war approaches its third winter, civilians are at greater risk due to Russian strikes on the energy sector and donor fatigue, said UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale.
“The real concern is whether the energy sector will be targeted again. This could be a turning point for further mass displacement, both internally and externally,” he told reporters in Geneva.
Since the war began in February 2022, 3.6 million Ukrainians have been displaced internally, and over 6 million have fled the country.
Around 65% of Ukraine’s energy production is currently out of service due to Russian attacks, a situation more severe than in 2022 and 2023, Schmale added.
