Russian Attack Damages Energy Facility, Cuts Power in Ukraine's Sumy Region

A soldier of a mobile anti-aircrafts brigade holds an unexploded Russian cluster bomb in the Khmelnytsky region on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Florent VERGNES / AFP)
A soldier of a mobile anti-aircrafts brigade holds an unexploded Russian cluster bomb in the Khmelnytsky region on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Florent VERGNES / AFP)
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Russian Attack Damages Energy Facility, Cuts Power in Ukraine's Sumy Region

A soldier of a mobile anti-aircrafts brigade holds an unexploded Russian cluster bomb in the Khmelnytsky region on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Florent VERGNES / AFP)
A soldier of a mobile anti-aircrafts brigade holds an unexploded Russian cluster bomb in the Khmelnytsky region on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Florent VERGNES / AFP)

A Russian overnight air attack damaged an energy facility in Ukraine's northern Sumy region, cutting power to 50,400 consumers, Ukrainian officials said.
Ukraine's air force said on Telegram that its air defense systems destroyed seven out of the eight Russia-launched drones.
Russia also sent a Kh-69 guided air missile, the air force said, but added that as a result of its forces' countermeasures, the missile "did not reach its target.”
According to Reuters, the energy ministry that reported power cuts did not specify the weapon that damaged the facility. According to its statement on Telegram, power has so far been restored to about 24,500 consumers.
There were no casualties in the attack, the region's military administration said on Telegram.
Russia renewed its long-range strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this spring, targeting thermal and hydropower stations as well as gas storage facilities.
Ukraine says such strikes have destroyed 9 Gigawatt of power generating capacity across the country, which has led to blackouts in many regions and affected GDP growth.



Zarif Softens Critique of ‘Strategic’ Law After Khamenei Endorsement

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference, March 10, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference, March 10, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/File Photo
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Zarif Softens Critique of ‘Strategic’ Law After Khamenei Endorsement

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference, March 10, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference, March 10, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/File Photo

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has announced that President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s government is ready to negotiate to restore the 2015 nuclear deal.
This comes alongside adhering to the “Strategic Action Plan to Lift US Sanctions and Protect Iranian Nation’s Interests,” which led Iran to suspend many of its nuclear commitments.
Zarif, appointed by Pezeshkian to lead a committee for selecting candidates for 19 key government positions, had previously criticized the “Strategic Action Plan.” However, he has now stated that the law is binding and must be followed, calling his earlier stance “personal.”
In a recent message to the UN, Zarif held the US and three European countries accountable for their failures under the deal, which he says harmed the Iranian people and triggered legislative reactions.
Zarif emphasized that it is in these countries’ interest to correct their behavior and allow Iran to benefit from the agreement. He added that Iran has taken compensatory actions within its rights under the deal.
Despite this, Zarif stressed that Pezeshkian’s administration is open to good faith negotiations based on the nuclear agreement and Iranian laws to ensure both sides uphold the deal.
Zarif’s change of position seems to align with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s support for the 2020 law.
Khamenei has urged parliamentarians to approve Pezeshkian’s government and avoid disputes, stressing the need for a unified stance on major issues.
Pezeshkian had previously expressed his intention to review and amend the law with parliament.
Zarif had criticized the law for blocking US President Joe Biden’s return to the nuclear deal and suggested that Iranian oil sales have been facilitated by the Biden administration’s flexibility.
He also predicted that if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the November elections, he might return to a maximum pressure strategy.
Khamenei’s recent reaffirmation of support for the law, which mandates government compliance and could lead to legal action against non-compliant officials, is the first since the elections.
In a related development, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Reza Najafi said indirect negotiations with the US, mediated by Oman, are ongoing. However, he noted that the US is not ready for serious talks on lifting sanctions due to its internal issues.
Najafi highlighted that Pezeshkian’s positions suggest negotiations will continue, but the US needs to be ready for serious discussions, and the future US administration’s policy will be crucial. He reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to continue talks.