Claimed image of fires at the Marine Oil Terminal in Russian-occupied Crimea following a Ukrainian missile strike, October 7, 2024
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Ukraine — “If Crimea Falls, Putin Cannot Hide From Russian People”
Saturday’s Coverage: Kyiv Strikes St. Petersburg Oil Terminal Again
UPDATE 0705 GMT:
The Kremlin claims Donald Trump offered to help resolve the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov maintained that Trump said his envoys — real estate developer Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — are prepared to make another visit to Moscow.
Embroiled in its war on Iran, the Trump camp has suspended its involvement in talks with Ukraine and Russia held early this year. Putin’s senior financial advisor Kirill Dmitriev sought to bring Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow in June but was unsuccessful.
Ushakov said Putin gave Trump a “realistic assessment of the battlefield situation”.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump, congratulating him on the 250th anniversary of US independence as well as discussing frontline developments and diplomatic efforts to end the invasion.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for past US assistance, highlighting political backing and military aid: “We deeply appreciate that America stands with us in defending our independence.”
UPDATE 0701 GMT:
Ukraine’s air defenses downed 115 of 129 drones launched by Russia overnight. Four UAVs hit three locations.
The Russians also fired four missiles, all of which failed to reach their targets.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine’s strikes have again cut power in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Kyiv’s overnight attacks targeted several substations, including in Bakhchysarai and Zymyne. Earlier, the peninsula was blacked out by strikes on energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian military has almost cut off Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014, with damage to almost all bridges from Russia and occupied areas of southern Ukraine. Attacks on refineries have sharply restricted fuel, with gasoline sales banned except for the Russian military and essential services.
On Friday, Ukraine struck two Russian airbases, damaging or destroying at least seven warplanes. In the second attack on the Saky airbase within a week, seven hangars were hit.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Ukrainian drones struck 12 power substations, 10 of them in Crimea, and one gas distribution station in Russian-occupied areas.
Zelensky Meets Wounded Troops in Odesa
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky President Volodymyr Zelensky met wounded soldiers and veterans in Odesa on Saturday.
Zelensky presented awards to the troops undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. “It is good to see you. Thank you for your service, for defending our country, and for your courage. We are proud of you and wish you a speedy recovery.”
Zelensky also met medical personnel, presenting them with the Order of Danylo Halytskyi and medals.
First Lady Olena Zelenska later joined her husband in a gathering with veterans and graduates of Ukraine’s Superhumans rehabilitation center in Odesa.
The specialist clinic was established in Lviv in western Ukraine and has opened branches in Odesa and Dnipro.
