Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration faced a significant shake-up on Saturday as several key aides were dismissed, including his top aide Serhiy Shefir. The ongoing reshuffle, which has been occurring for several months, saw the removal of three advisers, as well as two presidential representatives overseeing volunteer activities and soldiers’ rights. The reasons for the personnel changes were not immediately provided.
The changes in Zelenskyy’s administration come amidst escalating tensions with Russia, as the country launched new attacks on Ukraine. Overnight, 12 drones and four missiles were fired into eastern Ukraine, while a barrage of 38 missiles, 75 air raids, and 98 multiple rocket launcher attacks occurred over the last 24 hours. The attacks resulted in the destruction of the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in the eastern Kharkiv region, leading to power outages for approximately 120,000 people.
Russia has been targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent days, causing significant damage in multiple regions. The toll of Friday’s mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across Ukraine was revealed on Saturday, with one civilian reported dead in the Kherson region and another resident of the Dnipropetrovsk region succumbing to injuries sustained from shell wounds.
The intensified attacks have heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Zelenskyy’s administration facing continued challenges on both the domestic and international fronts. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments expected in the days ahead. Stay tuned to ‘The Puck Drop’ for the latest updates on this evolving crisis.
