In a mid-week overnight attack on Ukraine, Russian forces launched 56 drones and a missile at energy infrastructure in the southern region Mykolaiv.
The attack on Mykolaiv region governor Vitaliy kim caused some consumers to lose power, but no one was injured.
The Ukrainian air force reported that it also made five attacks on infrastructure in areas near the frontline. It reported that 22 drones had been shot down, and that it had lost track of 27 drones which likely fell onto Ukrainian territory due to active electronic warfare measures. Two more drones entered Belarus.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said that drone debris fell in the yard of a Kindergarten in the capital. The authorities in Kyiv, and the surrounding area, reported no damage or casualties as a result of the attack.
Authorities in the northeastern Sumy Region said that a drone attack damaged two cars and caused a fire to break out at an administrative building.
The Russians have been destroying critical infrastructure in Ukrainian cities, ahead of the winter season. Kyiv has intensified its pleas to its allies for more air defense.
Russia denies that it targets civilians despite the fact that it has killed thousands of people during its two-and-a-half year war with Ukraine.
Six Russian soldiers who fled the war are granted French visas
Six Russian soldiers who fled from the war in Ukraine were granted temporary visas while they applied for political asylum in France. Human rights activists have described this as the first significant case of a large group of deserters being allowed into an EU country.
According to an organization which assists soldiers fleeing Russia and the accounts of the deserters, the men arrived in Paris in separate flights in the last few months, after initially fleeing Russia in 2022 and in 2023.
“When I landed on French soil, it was the very first time I could fully breathe. I felt a calmness and freedom…the worse was behind me,” Alexander told The Guardian, a former Russian soldier who was sent into Ukraine and deserted in the summer of 2023.
Rights activists and groups who help soldiers flee say that since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, tens or thousands of Russian soldiers deserted, or refused to fight.
The West has been grappling with the question of whether to accept Russian deserters. Questions have lingered over whether they should be treated as heroes, security risks or war criminals. The EU and its members have discussed publicly offering asylum to Russian Deserters. However, no decision has yet been made and it is difficult for deserters who want asylum.
Media reports reveal details about the new EU migration plan. Changes will impact Ukrainians
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has announced a new 10-point plan for the EU to combat illegal migration. The plan includes changes that will have an impact also on Ukrainians.
Source: European Pravda citing Polish radio station RMF FM Von der Leyen, in a letter sent to EU heads of government and state two days before the summit, announced “innovative methods to combat illegal immigration”.
The European Commission President proposed, in particular, exploring the idea of creating centres for migrants outside the EU who are not eligible to claim asylum.
It is the first occasion that the European Commission has endorsed a proposal, which was primarily supported by Poland. Italy already runs similar centers in Albania.
Ursula von der Leyen introduced new regulations to streamline the process of returning migrants who do no qualify for asylum back to their home country and make it more efficient.
She also emphasized that one of the key responsibilities of the commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration is to combat hybrid attacks from Russia or Belarus. This effort includes, among other things, negotiating agreements and visa policies with airlines that fly to Minsk.
The exact details of the new rules for the long-term residence of Ukrainian refugees have not yet been announced.
The two-day summit in Brussels of EU leaders of state and governments, which began on Thursday, will focus largely on migration.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
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