Russian attacks on nine regions of Ukraine knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of households and wounded at least 15 people, officials said Friday, the same day a new UN report showed that civilian casualties from Russia’s invasion have climbed steeply. Fears already were mounting that a sharp deterioration in relations between Ukraine and the US this week could leave Ukraine further exposed to Russia’s escalating assaults with winter approaching, the AP reports.
The UN human rights office in Kyiv said its monthly count shows at least 328 civilians were killed and 2,105 wounded last month, a total that is 85% higher than in September last year. The report said intensifying Russian attacks in October already have killed dozens of civilians, including children. “The first two weeks of October were among the deadliest periods for civilians in years,” said Danielle Bell, head of the UN office. Also on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels who share his concerns about Russian aggression and Moscow’s wider plans on the continent. The leaders applauded Zelensky when he entered the meeting room, pledged to maintain support for Ukraine, and urged the US to pressure Russia.