Zelenskyy says Ukraine struck Russian defence facility in Rostov
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said Kyiv had struck a Russian defence industry facility in the Rostov region, targeting an enterprise involved in missile production, as the war between the two countries continued.In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the Kamensky Combine had been hit along with two Russian air defence assets, a Pantsir-S2 system and a command and staff vehicle of the S-400 Triumf system. He estimated the total value of the damaged air defence equipment at around $70 million.“Our long-range sanctions have targeted the Rostov region. The Kamensky Combine, a Russian defence industry enterprise involved in missile production, was hit. A Pantsir-S2 system and a command and staff vehicle of the S-400 Triumf system were also hit. The total value of the air defence assets struck is around USD 70 million,” Zelenskyy wrote.He thanked Ukraine’s Security Service and other units of the Defence Forces for carrying out the operation, saying Kyiv was responding to Russian aggression.“I thank the warriors of the Security Service of Ukraine @ServiceSsu and other units of the Defence Forces for their accuracy! We are justly defending ourselves against Russian aggression and doing everything to reduce Russia’s capability to continue it,” he said.The claims about the strikes and the extent of the damage were not independently verified.In a separate post, Zelenskyy said Russian attacks had damaged energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions — Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without electricity.“Overnight alone, our energy infrastructure came under Russian attack in four regions: Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi. Substations, transformers, and power lines that supply electricity to our people’s homes were targeted. Repair crews are working everywhere. As of now, hundreds of thousands of families remain without power. Massive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s other critical infrastructure are also continuing unabated,” he wrote.The Ukrainian president said Russia had launched 1,940 attack drones, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs and 44 missiles of various types against Ukraine over the past week. Of the missiles, 36 were ballistic, he said.“This past week Russia has launched 1,940 attack drones, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, and 44 missiles of various types against Ukraine, including 36 ballistic missiles. The intensity of the strikes is extremely high, and the Russians are trying to take maximum advantage of the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors,” Zelenskyy said.Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s international partners to expedite the delivery of additional air defence systems and ammunition, particularly Patriot missiles.“Every day, we communicate our need for Patriot missiles to America, Europe, and other partners who can help. And this month, the United States and European countries made new decisions on additional packages for Ukraine. But these deliveries cannot take years. Russia is destroying infrastructure and killing our people right now, and it is betting on ballistic missiles this winter. Accordingly, decisions on air defense must also be implemented now. I thank everyone who supports the defence of Ukrainian skies,” he wrote.Kyiv is set to receive 500 PAC-3 interceptors from the United States.Meanwhile, amid efforts to revive negotiations, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had never refused to hold talks with Zelenskyy, ANI reported.Asked by Russian outlet Vesti whether Putin would answer a call from the Ukrainian president, Ushakov said: “I think he would answer, of course. Putin has never refused to talk.”He added that Zelenskyy had been sending signals through various channels and could travel to Moscow if he wanted to negotiate.
