Ukraine faces a worsening energy crisis after a series of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure brought nationwide shortages of power and heat. On Thursday, authorities began limiting supplies of electricity between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Officials say one-third of Ukraine’s power stations have been recently hit by missile and drone attacks. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Thursday cited “abundant evidence” that Iranian military trainers are helping Russian forces carry out drone strikes.
Ned Price: “We assess that Iranian personnel, Iranian military personnel, were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations. Russia has received dozens of these UAVs so far and will likely continue to receive additional shipments in the future. … We’re concerned that Russia may also seek to acquire advanced conventional weapons from Iran.”