International

‘Massive’ Russian attack causes Ukraine blackouts

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2024

The Russian attacks forced people into air raid shelters across Ukraine

‘Massive’ Russian attack causes Ukraine blackouts

A “massive” Russian missile and drone attack has targeted power infrastructure across Ukraine, the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

At least 10 people were killed in the strikes, which hit the capital, Kyiv, as well as multiple targets in several regions including Donetsk, Lviv and Odesa.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its thermal energy plants had suffered “significant damage”, resulting in blackouts.

The country’s state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, says it will enforce “restriction measures” for the whole of Ukraine on Monday.

The co-ordinated assault overnight on Saturday was largest of its kind since early September, according to authorities and local media.

In total, around 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched, Zelensky said on Telegram.

“Peaceful cities, sleeping civilians” and “critical infrastructure” were targeted, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.

The Russian defence ministry reported that it had hit all its targets, saying that its attack was on “essential energy infrastructure supporting the Ukrainian military-industrial complex”.

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“Russian terrorists once again want to scare us with cold and lack of light,” was how President Zelensky put it.

Of course, anything that seeks to deny power to factories producing weaponry inevitably harms civilians too – indirectly, through the loss of electricity and frequently water, and directly, as missiles or fragments of missiles rain down from the sky.

The governor of the Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, said there had also been disruptions to heat and water supplies, although the latter was gradually being restored. Hospitals and other critical infrastructure were operating using generators.

Further east, the city of Mykolaiv was also hit. The region’s leader, Vitaliy Kim, told the BBC that the people were resilient there, despite being attacked regularly.

“People are in a good shape and want to defend themselves. We do not want to lose our homes,” he said.

In Kyiv, fragments from intercepted missiles and drones fell in several places, but there were no reports of injuries.

The attack was the eighth large-scale one targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities this year, DTEK said in a statement, adding that its plants had been attacked more than 190 times since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials fear the most recent strike could signal another concerted Russian attempt to deplete the power grid as winter arrives.

Having already endured two-and-a-half bitter winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainians are bracing themselves for another.

“Here we go again” were the words of an official at one of Ukraine’s private energy companies, summing up the mood across the country on Sunday.

Through ingenuity and sheer determination, Ukraine has managed to survive each winter assault so far. There is every chance it will again, although its generation capacity is now less than a half of what it was in February 2022.

Poland, Ukraine’s neighbour to the west, scrambled fighter jets to patrol its own airspace as a security precaution.

“Due to a massive attack by Russia, which is carrying out strikes using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones against sites located, among other places, in western Ukraine, operations by Polish and allied aircraft have begun,” Poland’s Operational Command said.

Hungary, which neighbours both Ukraine and Poland, was also on alert after drone attacks struck the westernmost Subcarpathian region – about 20km (12 miles) from the Hungarian border.

The country’s defence minister said the “situation is being monitored continuously”.

These latest attacks come as both Ukraine and Russia continue to try to anticipate how US President-elect Donald Trump will act once his administration takes power in January.

Trump has consistently said his priority is to end the war and what he describes as a drain on US resources in the form of military aid to Kyiv. He has not said how.

The US has been the greatest supplier of arms to Ukraine. Between the start of the war and the end of June 2024, it delivered or committed to send weapons and equipment worth $55.5bn (£41.5bn), according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organisation.

There are fears in Kyiv that it may come under pressure to negotiate an end to the war that may favour Russia’s advances – Moscow continues to control a large swathe of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky has said he is certain the war with Russia will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have under the new Trump presidency.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently told Russian state media of “positive” signals from the incoming US administration. But Russia has denied that a phone call took place in which Donald Trump reportedly warned the Russian president against escalating the war.

However, for all the talk of the possible changes coming when Donald Trump enters the White House, Sunday’s attacks seem to indicate that, for now at least, the war’s grim realities are not changing.

Meanwhile, the leader of Germany – another Ukrainian ally – has defended a phone call he had with Putin on Friday, something Kyiv criticised as an attempt at appeasement.

“It was important to tell him [Putin] that he should not count on the support of Germany, Europe and many others in the world for Ukraine waning, but that it is now also up to him to ensure that the war comes to an end,” Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.

He added that the Russian president had given no indication of a shift in his thinking on the war.

‘Massive’ Russian attack causes Ukraine blackouts

BBC

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International

Iran Threatens Strikes on US, Israeli Banks, Tech Giants

Published

55 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Threatens Strikes on US, Israeli Banks, Tech Giants

Iran has vowed to launch strikes against economic and banking targets linked to the United States and Israel, while also identifying major technology companies as potential future targets, in a sharp escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict. The warnings follow a reported strike on an Iranian bank in Tehran, which Iranian officials say was hit by US and Israeli forces, killing an unspecified number of employees.

According to Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya military command, the attacks give the country “free rein to target economic centres and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime.” The military urged civilians in the region to avoid going within one kilometre of bank buildings, warning of the heightened risk of strikes.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the bank strike was a serious provocation, adding, “Our powerful armed forces will exact retribution for this crime.” Iranian state media, including the Tasnim News Agency, also published a list of potential future targets in the Gulf and Israel, naming offices and data centres of tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, IBM, Oracle, and Palantir.

The escalation comes after Amazon Web Services data centres in the UAE were reportedly struck by Iranian drones last week, disrupting cloud services across the region. Tasnim described the situation as an “infrastructure war”, signalling Iran’s intent to expand the conflict beyond conventional military targets to economic and technological infrastructure.

Analysts say this development could have far-reaching consequences for regional security, global financial stability, and digital networks, though the current threats remain largely warnings rather than confirmed attacks on US or Israeli economic interests. The situation highlights the increasing vulnerability of critical economic and tech infrastructure amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Iran Threatens Strikes on US, Israeli Banks, Tech Giants

International

UN Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan as Russia, China Abstain

Published

1 hour ago

March 12, 2026

Trends Admin

UN Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan as Russia, China Abstain

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan, amid growing international concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East. The resolution, presented by Bahrain and co‑sponsored by 135 UN member countries, passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained, allowing the measure to move forward without a veto.

The resolution emphasises “strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence” of the GCC states and Jordan. It declares that Iran’s attacks “constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.” It also specifically condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure, noting that these strikes resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian buildings, highlighting the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

Bahrain’s UN envoy, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, welcomed the resolution, saying it demonstrates the Security Council’s commitment to maintaining international peace and security. “It proved that the Council is committed to maintaining international peace and security. We express our deep gratitude to all member states of the United Nations that co‑sponsored this resolution. Their number amounted to 135 countries,” he said. He noted that the overwhelming international support reflects a collective recognition of the threat posed by Iran’s attacks against the Gulf states and Jordan.

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While the resolution received broad backing, both Russia and China abstained. Analysts suggest their decision reflects geopolitical caution, balancing diplomatic ties with Tehran against the need to avoid appearing to endorse actions condemned by the international community. Neither country formally opposed the resolution, allowing it to pass without exercising veto power.

The UNSC action follows a surge of Iranian missile and drone attacks on GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, as well as Jordan, targeting military and civilian infrastructure. These attacks have raised global security concerns, disrupted critical services, and affected energy markets, particularly with threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic oil transit route. The escalating situation has prompted calls for diplomatic engagement from leaders in the European Union, the G7, and other international bodies to prevent further conflict and stabilise the region.

Experts warn that continued hostilities could further destabilise the Middle East, disrupt global oil exports, and threaten maritime security in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors. The resolution reflects strong international condemnation of Iran’s actions and underscores the importance of coordinated diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions while ensuring compliance with international law.

UN Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan as Russia, China Abstain

International

Iran Warns Oil Could Hit $200, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Published

1 hour ago

March 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Strait of Hormuz Crisis - Iran Threatens to Stop Gulf Oil Shipments

Iran Warns Oil Could Hit $200, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Iran has warned that it will not allow “a single litre of oil” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of the United States, Israel and their allies, raising fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies and a potential surge in global oil prices to $200 per barrel.

The warning was issued by Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, who said Tehran could target any vessels carrying oil destined for countries it considers hostile if tensions in the region continue to escalate.

“Let us firmly reiterate that we will never allow even a single litre of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of the US, the Zionists and their partners,” Zolfaqari said.

“Any vessel or oil shipment intended for America, the Zionist regime or their hostile allies will be a legitimate target for us.”

The comments come amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States following warnings from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who threatened that Iran would face “death, fire and fury” if it attempted to disrupt international shipping through the critical maritime corridor.

Zolfaqari warned that the expansion of the conflict could send crude oil prices soaring, noting that instability in the region directly affects global energy markets.

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“With the expansion of war in the region, you should prepare for $200 per barrel because the price of oil depends on security in the region, and you are the source of insecurity,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and serves as one of the most strategic chokepoints in global energy trade.

An estimated 20 percent of the world’s oil supply—around 18 to 20 million barrels per day—passes through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a major concern for global markets.

A blockade or prolonged disruption could significantly impact exports from major Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Energy markets have already reacted to the rising tensions, with Brent crude oil prices briefly crossing $100 per barrel, the highest level in several months, as traders respond to fears of supply disruptions.

Maritime security agencies have also reported increased attacks on commercial vessels transiting the region, raising concerns over the safety of shipping routes in the Gulf.

Amid the growing crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that its 32 member countries will release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves in an effort to stabilise markets and prevent severe supply shortages.

According to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, the coordinated action represents the largest emergency oil release in the organisation’s history.

The move surpasses the 182 million barrels released in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the scale of concern over the current Middle East crisis.

Energy analysts warn that while emergency reserves could temporarily ease pressure on markets, the most important factor for stabilising prices remains the restoration of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing in Nigeria over the potential impact of the crisis on domestic fuel prices.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce a temporary cap on petrol prices to protect Nigerians from rising fuel costs driven by global oil market volatility.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned that the Middle East crisis could worsen Nigeria’s already severe cost-of-living crisis.

“ADC calls on the Federal Government to immediately introduce a temporary and time-bound cap on petrol prices to prevent further increases that continue to push the cost of living beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

The party also criticised the government’s plan to distribute 100,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kits, arguing that the figure represents less than one percent of Nigeria’s more than 11 million vehicles.

According to the party, the programme is further constrained by the limited number of CNG refuelling stations across the country, making the transition away from petrol difficult for many motorists.

ADC warned that while global oil market volatility may be triggered by external shocks, it should not be used to justify unchecked fuel price increases in Nigeria’s already fragile economy.

Analysts say any prolonged disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger one of the biggest energy shocks in decades, with global consequences including higher fuel prices, rising inflation and increased transport costs.