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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Donald Trump has said that a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will not deter him from his position on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, even as authorities continue investigating the motive behind the attack.

Speaking to reporters at the White House after the incident, Trump said: “It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran,” while noting that investigators had not yet established whether the attack was connected to the conflict.

He added that, based on initial information, he did not believe the shooting was related to Iran, though he acknowledged that “you never know” and described the suspect as a “lone wolf” pending further investigation.

The comments came hours after a major security scare at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., where an armed suspect breached outer security areas during the high-profile dinner attended by top U.S. officials and journalists.

According to law enforcement, the suspect — identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California — allegedly opened fire outside the ballroom area before being intercepted by Secret Service agents.

Officials confirmed that a law enforcement officer was struck but survived after being protected by a bullet-resistant vest.

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The president also struck a somber tone, saying the incident highlights the risks of public office. “Being president is a dangerous profession,” he said, adding that attempted violence is “part of the job” for someone in his position.

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed that the suspect is facing initial federal charges related to firearm use and assaulting an officer, with additional charges expected as investigations continue. She also said the suspect is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the ballroom as guests ducked under tables and security agents rushed to evacuate officials. The event was ultimately cancelled for the night.

Among those evacuated were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all of whom were confirmed safe.

Trump later suggested that the world remains “violent” and reiterated that individuals in powerful positions are often targeted. He also said more details about the suspect’s motive would be released as the investigation develops.

Authorities are continuing to examine how the suspect managed to approach a heavily secured national event, with security agencies launching a full review of protocols at the Washington Hilton venue.

The annual dinner — typically a gathering of journalists, celebrities, and political leaders — was abruptly suspended as security forces secured the area and evacuated attendees. It is expected to be rescheduled.

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Trump Reveals CCTV of Suspect After Shooting Scare in Washington

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April 26, 2026

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the suspect in the shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Trump Reveals CCTV of Suspect After Shooting Scare in Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump has released CCTV footage and photographs of the suspect involved in the shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an incident that triggered panic at one of the most high-profile political gatherings in Washington, D.C.

The footage, shared shortly before the president addressed the media, appears to show the suspect — identified by law enforcement officials as Cole Tomas Allen — rushing through a secured section of the Washington Hilton hotel where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place.

In the video, the man is seen moving quickly toward the ballroom entrance, appearing to bypass metal detectors and other security layers as armed Secret Service agents close in to intercept him. The breach has raised fresh concerns about security at high-profile U.S. events.

Trump also released still images showing a shirtless man lying face down in a foyer area with his hands restrained behind his back, believed to be the suspect moments after he was apprehended.

Describing the incident, the president labeled the suspect a “would-be assassin,” claiming he was heavily armed and had forced his way past a key security checkpoint. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the attack as an assassination attempt, with investigations ongoing into the suspect’s motive.

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The incident caused widespread panic inside the venue, with guests — including top government officials, journalists, and dignitaries — diving under tables or fleeing as what sounded like gunshots rang out.

Among those evacuated were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all of whom were confirmed safe.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said there was no indication of additional suspects and reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat. Authorities believe the suspect may have acted alone.

Security agencies have since launched a full investigation into the Washington Hilton security breach, focusing on how the suspect managed to penetrate multiple layers of protection at such a heavily secured event.

The annual dinner was abruptly disrupted as officials prioritized safety, with the incident underscoring growing concerns around U.S. political event security amid heightened global tensions.

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Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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Gunman Sparks Chaos at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump Evacuated Safely

Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A dramatic security breach triggered widespread panic on Saturday night after an armed man stormed the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., where Donald Trump and several senior U.S. officials were उपस्थित.

The suspect, identified by law enforcement sources as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, reportedly approached the Washington Hilton armed with guns and knives before rushing toward the ballroom entrance.

According to officials, the situation escalated when the attacker attempted to breach a security checkpoint, prompting a swift response from Secret Service agents. Reports indicate that the suspect opened fire near the venue, causing chaos among attendees gathered inside the ballroom.

Guests at the high-profile event — which hosts leading journalists, politicians, and dignitaries — described hearing gunshots and immediately diving under tables or fleeing for safety. The incident unfolded rapidly, with security personnel moving in to neutralize the threat before the suspect could access the main hall.

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A law enforcement officer was struck during the confrontation but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, authorities confirmed.

The Secret Service quickly evacuated President Trump alongside Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. All were confirmed safe and unharmed.

Speaking shortly after the incident at the White House, Trump described the attacker as a “sick person,” adding that early intelligence suggested the suspect acted alone. “When you’re impactful, they go after you,” he said.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat, stating that authorities had “no reason” to believe others were involved.

Security agencies have since launched a full investigation into the security breach at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, focusing on how the suspect managed to get close to one of the most heavily guarded political events in the United States.

The annual dinner — a major fixture in the U.S. political calendar — was abruptly halted following the incident, as officials prioritized the safety of attendees amid heightened U.S. security concerns.

The development comes at a sensitive moment for the Trump administration, with several top officials present at the event amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and global security challenges.