Almost a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout the east and south.
Putin's forces pulled out of key positions in November, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops led a counteroffensive targeting the southern port city. Russian drones have continued bombarding civilian targets throughout Ukraine, knocking out critical power infrastructure as wintersets in.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 17, 2022, 5:55 AM EDT
Zaporizhzhia plant disconnected from power grid
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was disconnected from the power grid after Russian shelling on Monday, Energoatom said.
A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, on Oct. 14, 2022.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
The plant’s diesel generators were started after a “short-term voltage drop,” the energy company said.
“We once again appeal to the international community to urgently take measures for the demilitarization of the ZNPP as soon as possible,” Energoatom said in a statement.
-ABC News’ Yulia Drozd
Oct 17, 2022, 3:50 AM EDT
2 trapped under rubble after drone strikes, Kyiv mayor says
Eighteen people were rescued and two were trapped under rubble after a Russian drone struck central Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Air raid sirens started blaring in the capital at about 6:30 a.m. on Monday, accompanied by at least three explosions from drone strikes.
A drone is seen in the sky seconds before it fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
A Ukrainian soldier looks on as a drone appears in the sky seconds before it fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
People react as a drone fires on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
A non-residential building in the Shevchenkinskyi district of the city was on fire, Klitschko said. At least one residential building had also been struck, Kira Rudik, a member of Ukrainian Parliament, said on Twitter.
Firefighters work after a drone fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP
“Critical infrastructure severely damaged. Ruined buildings,” Rudik said. “We have no time for statements about support. We need air defense asap.”
-ABC News’ Angus Hines
Oct 17, 2022, 3:38 AM EDT
Ukraine shoots down 37 drones, military says
Ukrainian forces shot down 37 Russian drones and three cruise missiles overnight, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.
Oct 17, 2022, 1:39 AM EDT
Drones strike Kyiv, mayor says
Multiple blasts struck Kyiv on Monday morning, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Air raid sirens were sounding in the capital, he said. He asked people to shelter in place.
Police block the perimeter at the scene of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct. 17, 2022, after some explosions rocked Kyiv in the early morning.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
Smoke rises from a partially destroyed building in Kyiv on Oct. 17, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images
Klitschko shared a photo on Twitter of what he said was the wreckage of a Kamikaze drone.
