Ukraine's new missiles, drones cause gas shortages in Russia, Zelenskyy says
Kyiv (AP): Strikes on Russian oil facilities by Ukraine's newly developed long-range missiles and drones are causing significant gas shortages in Russia, while on the battlefield a recent Ukrainian counter-offensive has derailed Russia's plans to capture parts of the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.
Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile has hit dozens of Russian military depots, Zelenskyy said. The Ruta missile drone, meanwhile, recently struck a Russian offshore oil platform more than 250 km away in what Zelenskyy called “a major success” for the new weapon.
Also, swarms of Liutyi and Fire Point long-range drones — up to 300 units in one operation — have hit Russian energy facilities, and Ukrainian forces recently fired Neptune and Flamingo missile systems at Russia, the Ukrainian leader said.
Russian fuel shortages and higher imports indicate that Ukraine's attacks are working, Zelenskyy said at a news briefing Wednesday. His remarks were embargoed until Thursday.
“The main thing is that (Russia is) now importing gasoline — that's a signal,” he said. Ukrainian intelligence reports show Russia has boosted imports from Belarus sixfold and removed import duties, while also bringing in fuel from China.
“According to our data, they've lost up to 20% of their gasoline supply — precisely after our strikes,” Zelenskyy said.
Russian officials have made no public comment about possible gas shortages.
The successes with weapons designed and manufactured by Ukraine are a welcome development for Kyiv after more than three years of fighting Russia's invasion, as Moscow deploys its bigger army and economic resources in an attempt to crush its neighbour.
Ukraine has received Western military aid but has been frustrated by restrictions imposed by the United States and European allies on deep strikes into Russia, out of fear of escalating the war.
Ukraine has poured huge efforts into weapons development and has fast become a global centre for defence innovation.
Zelenskyy said he wants the United States to provide Ukraine with additional long-range weapons, specifically naming American-made Tomahawk missiles that can carry large warheads but which Washington has previously refused to provide.
US President Donald Trump, who has been frustrated in his efforts to end the war by Russian objections, said earlier this week that he has “sort of made a decision” on whether to send Tomahawks to Ukraine. He did not elaborate.
“At the last meeting I did not hear no,'” Zelenskyy said of his request for Tomahawks, adding that US officials had agreed to work on the question at a technical level.
A delegation led by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is due to travel to the US early next week for talks about air defence, energy cooperation, sanctions and the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war effort.
On the battlefield, Zelenskyy said the most intense fighting remains around Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region, where Ukrainian troops have launched a counter-offensive operation he described as “very difficult but very timely — and successful”.
“This operation derailed Russia's summer offensive campaign,” he said, adding that what he said was Moscow's plan to occupy much of the Donetsk region by November had failed.
Russian commanders have been ordered “to take Pokrovsk at any cost,” he said, citing intercepted Russian military communications.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine has contingency plans to protect its natural gas infrastructure, which has been the target of heavy Russian attacks in recent weeks as winter approaches.
“We have Plan A and Plan B,” he said. “Plan A is to rely more on our own extraction. Plan B... is to switch to imports. We understand the volumes, the cost of those imports, and where to get the necessary funds.”
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Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
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The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
