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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
William Mata

Ukraine fears that Russia is planning airstrikes on nuclear facilities after overnight drone attacks

Ukraine has warned of possible Russian strikes on nuclear sites following an overnight barrage of 80 attack drones.

Kyiv claims 71 drones were shot down, with six more disabled electronically.

In Kharkiv, Russian strikes on high-rises injured 20 people and levelled several buildings.

This follows Friday's attack that wounded 15, including two children, in three areas of the city.

Ukrainian intelligence fears nuclear power stations may be targeted as the war enters its fourth winter.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said Moscow is planning further strikes.

A firefighter extinguishes a burning vehicle after a Russian strike (AP)

He tweeted: “According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Kremlin is preparing strikes on Ukrainian nuclear energy critical objects ahead of winter.

“In particular, it concerns open distribution devices at (nuclear power plants and) transmission substations, critical for the safe operation of nuclear energy.”

Andriy Yermak, president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, added on Telegram: “This is preparation for a possible nuclear disaster scenario. Russia is a terrorist.” 

There has not been any immediate comment from Moscow on the state of play.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with US representatives this week to discuss the ongoing war and its future. 

He said: “If we could direct all our precision towards defending our state, if there were enough missiles and permissions that partners could provide for this, the overall situation in the war would be better for our security. 

“The answer to the question ‘When will the war end?’ is actually in when our partners’ resolve will not lag behind what we can do for our defence, our independence, our victory.”

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