In the past 24 hours, Russia and Ukraine have attacked each other's energy infrastructure coinciding with the peace talks in Abu Dhabi. These attacks have resulted in widespread blackouts in Ukraine and disruptions in Russian refineries.
Disruption in Ukraine's Power Grid
Ukraine's power grid came under attack on the night of November 9, leading to emergency blackouts in Kyiv and eastern regions. These attacks resulted in power outages in the cities of Dnipro and Kamianske. Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that the aim of these attacks was to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro River.
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Reports of Widespread Damage
Ukrenergo announced on November 8 that 12 provinces in the country were without electricity. Damage to facilities in Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv Oblasts has been reported severely, and emergency blackouts have also been implemented in Sumy, Poltava, and Kharkiv Oblasts. On November 10, a blackout schedule is in effect across Ukraine, and industries are under capacity restrictions.
Attacks on Russian Refineries
On the other hand, Ukrainian drones attacked the port of Ust-Luga in Leningrad Oblast in the early hours of November 10. This port is considered the largest port in Russia on the Baltic Sea. Additionally, the Kirishi refinery, the second-largest refinery in Russia in this province, was targeted on November 8 and caught fire.
Reduction in Russia's Oil Refining Capacity
Two industrial sources told Reuters that the recent wave of attacks since late October has disrupted nearly one-third of Russia's oil refining capacity. Over the past week, the operations of 9 out of 35 major refineries in Russia have been affected, with the nominal capacity of the damaged facilities estimated at 2.2 million barrels per day. Russian refineries were processing about 700,000 tons daily, equivalent to nearly five million barrels of crude oil at the end of October, which is now estimated to have dropped to 200,000 tons per day.
Trilateral Talks and Future Outlook
The first day of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States took place on November 9 in Abu Dhabi, which Volodymyr Zelensky described as constructive and substantive. This meeting marks the first trilateral dialogue since February.
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