Fri Sep 20 08:48:24 UTC 2024: ## Russian Strikes on Sumy Care Center and Energy Grid Condemned, EU Pledges Aid
**Sumy, Ukraine** – Russian forces launched a series of attacks on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Thursday, targeting both a care center for the elderly and the region’s energy infrastructure, resulting in at least one civilian death and multiple injuries.
A Russian guided bomb struck a five-story building housing elderly patients, killing at least one person and injuring 12 others. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under the rubble. Photos from the scene showed elderly patients being evacuated from the damaged building.
The United Nations condemned the attack on the power grid, stating that it likely violated humanitarian law. This attack follows a pattern of Russian strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy system, particularly in the Sumy region, which has experienced power outages in recent days.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that Ukraine faces its most challenging winter yet in terms of energy supply due to the ongoing Russian attacks.
In response, the European Union announced a $180 million aid package for Ukraine, including $111 million derived from frozen Russian assets. The funds will be used for energy repairs and investments in renewable energy, as well as providing humanitarian aid for shelters and heating. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “it is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused.”
Meanwhile, US congressional leaders and the Biden administration are nearing an agreement to extend a $6 billion military aid package for Ukraine. President Biden and Vice President Harris will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 26th.
On the battlefield, Ukraine’s air defenses successfully intercepted all 42 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks targeting various regions. Ukrainian forces also shot down a Russian guided missile.
Russia, however, claims to have destroyed several Ukrainian drones over its territory. The exchange of attacks follows a Ukrainian drone strike on a warehouse in Russia’s Tver region, which sparked a large fire and forced evacuations.
Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, referred to the incident, saying a “very important result was achieved on Russian territory” that weakened the enemy. He also claimed Ukrainian forces had diminished Russia’s capability to launch attacks in the eastern front’s Donetsk region.
First Piper 