© Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at a joint press conference with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (not seen), as Russia attacks Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi
(Reuters) – Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control, was hit by shelling on Sunday, drawing criticism from the UN nuclear chief who said the attack could cause a major nuclear disaster. Moscow and Kyiv both blamed the other for the bombing.
POWER SUPPLY
* Ukraine’s electricity is improving despite Russian attacks on power plants and there is no need to panic, the energy ministry said on Saturday, a day after the government said nearly half of Ukraine’s power was out of power, officials said. Kyiv warned that the capital could face a “total shutdown” of the electricity grid this winter.
TRAIN THE ASCENT OF KHERSON
* Jubilant Ukrainians poured into Kherson by train Saturday for the first time in more than eight months as residents of the newly liberated southern city greeted them on the platform with flowers and national flags.
* Explaining the damage caused by the Russian army, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced on Saturday that the evacuation of people who want to leave Kherson and the surrounding areas will begin soon.
STRUGGLE
* At least 60 Russian soldiers were killed in a prolonged attack by Ukrainian military forces this week, Kyiv said on Saturday, the second time in four days that Ukraine has said it has killed more people in a single incident. Russia’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
* Five people were injured in a Russian demonstration at a service station where bread was distributed in the town of Bilozerka, west of the city of Kherson, a senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
* Reuters could not immediately confirm the military reports.
Corn seed
* A large area of corn in Ukraine may be left to freeze in the fields due to problems with the harvest and lack of fuel, APK-Inform expert said.
DIPLOMACY, WAR AIM
* New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his first visit to Kyiv on Saturday, pledging to continue aid to Ukraine that was the focus of his predecessor, and offering a new air defense package to help shoot down Russian drones.
* Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine were designed to destroy Kyiv’s air defenses and end control of the country’s airspace, a Pentagon official said Saturday.
* Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has given a glimpse of “the brutality and chaos that is possible,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday in a speech to a Canadian defense forum.
