Russia claimed on Wednesday that its forces had launched attacks on multiple Ukrainian targets, including natural gas transmission systems, while Ukraine reported on Wednesday that it had hit Russian targets including command posts and artillery systems.
Russia's Ministry of Defense said in its latest briefing that its forces continued to advance deep into Ukraine's defensive lines, clashing with Ukrainian troops at different locations, destroying equipment including tanks and armored vehicles, and striking warehouses storing drones and natural gas transmission systems.
It said that Russian air defense systems intercepted and shot down 51 Ukrainian drones over regions including Rostov Oblast in southern Russia and Bryansk Oblast in the west.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said 143 clashes had taken place in frontline areas and its forces had attacked Russian command posts and artillery systems.
The press office of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine reported that Ukrainian forces shelled the area near the plant on Wednesday. The attacks caused no casualties, and the radiation levels in the surrounding areas remain normal, posing no threat to people or the environment, it said.
The administration department at the nuclear power plant said it strongly condemned these attacks, while Ukraine has yet to respond to the reports.
Also on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Ukraine and the prospects for bilateral ties at the Kremlin, said Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov.
"As for the topics covered, then, first of all, of course, it is the Ukrainian crisis. And the second topic is the prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia," Ushakov said, adding that the talks were "very useful and constructive."
Russia hits Ukrainian natural gas transmission systems, Ukraine strikes Russian military targets
