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• Kyiv blames Russian attack for power cut at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

  The U.N. nuclear watchdog reported that all external power lines supplying Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is occupied by Russia, were down Friday. Ukraine blamed Russian artillery for the destruction of the last powerline. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Europe's largest nuclear power plant is now running on diesel generators. It has not been operating, but it still needs power to cool its nuclear fuel. IAEA warned repeatedly of the danger of a catastrophic incident at Zaporizhzhia. This is a city located near the frontline of the Ukraine war. The six reactors have been shut down but the nuclear fuel still needs cooling, and this requires constant power. IAEA reported on X that "Ukraine’s ZNPP has lost all offsite power today at 17:36, the 9th time in military conflict and the first since late 2023." The ZNPP relies on its emergency diesel generators to provide power, highlighting the extremely precarious situation in nuclear safety. German Galuschenko wrote on Telegram, Ukraine's Energy Minister, that a Russian strike cut off the plant. "The enemy has struck the powerline connecting the temporarily occupied nuclear plant (Zaporizhzhia) with the integrated energy system of Ukraine." The IAEA and the Russian management of the plant did not initially give a reason for the shutdown. "The reason for the disconnect is being clarified. The station's equipment is safe and under staff control. The management installed in Russia said that no violations of safety conditions had been observed. Reporting by Francois Murph, Ronald Popeski and Peter Graff.

• Minister: Serbia wants to waive sanctions on the Russian oil company NIS for a fifth time

  Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Serbian Mining and Energy Minister, said that the talks between Belgrade and Washington over delaying sanctions against Russian owned Serbian oil company NIS a fifth consecutive time were marred by difficulties. NIS has secured a fourth reprieve that is set to expire July 29. This puts Serbia in an unstable position, as it attempts to balance energy security with geopolitical demands. Djedovic handanovic, Serbia's minister of state for RTS TV, said that negotiations are tough because they are between two powerful countries, Russia and America. NIS is owned by Gazprom Neft, a Russian company, and Gazprom. It operates Serbia's sole oil refinery, which supplies a large part of the country's crude oil needs. Sanctions could threaten its crude supply. The facility's annual capacity is 4.8 million tonnes. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury placed initial sanctions on Russia's petroleum sector on 10 January, and gave Gazprom a 45-day deadline to sell its NIS holdings. The U.S. Department of the Treasury didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comments on the talks. She said, "We will use all the means available to continue dialogue with both parties... to defend our position." Gazprom Neft, in an effort to avoid sanctions, transferred to Gazprom a stake in NIS of approximately 5.15% on February 26. Gazprom owns 11.3% of NIS. The Serbian Government owns 29.87% of NIS, while the rest is held by small investors. NIS imports 80% of the oil it needs via Janaf, Croatia's pipeline operator. The rest is covered by the crude oil produced in Serbia. (Reporting and editing by Bernadettebaum; Aleksandar Vasovic)

• What were the names of the two pilots that flew the Air India jet which crashed?

  In a preliminary report, investigators investigating a fatal Air India crash stated that the aircraft's fuel switches had been briefly flipped into the off position. This caused confusion in the cockpit which focused attention on the Boeing 787 pilots. Here is a short profile of both pilots, based on media reports and the preliminary investigation report: CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL The 56-year old pilot had a valid airline transport pilot's license until May 14, 2026. He was cleared to fly in the role of pilot-in command on a number of aircraft, including the Boeing 787, 777 and Airbus A310. He has a total of 15,638 flying hours. Of these, 8,596 were spent on a Boeing 7. According to a report in the Times of India, Sabharwal called his family at the airport and assured them that he would call again once he landed in London. He was described as a gentleman by a pilot who briefly spoke with him. FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER The 32-year old had a commercial license that was issued in 2020, and it was valid until 26 September 2025. He was cleared to fly the Cessna 172, Piper PA-34 Seneca and Airbus A320 as well as Boeing 787 as a co-pilot. His total flying time was 3,403 hrs. One-hundred and twenty eight hours were spent as a copilot on a 787. Indian media, citing his family, reported that Kunder has been a passionate flyer since his school days. In 2012, he began working as a pilot. He joined Air India as a pilot in 2017. Reporting by Abhijith and Adityakalra, editing by Jamie Freed

• US port operators try to reduce the expected high tariffs on Chinese-built cranes

  The U.S. Seaport Operators are requesting extra time for the implementation of pending tariffs against towering ship to shore cranes. They expect that President Donald Trump’s administration will follow through with a promise to ban this vital cargo handling equipment. In early this year, the United States Trade Representative proposed tariffs up to 100 percent on these cranes. This was after China sucked up market share to gain commercial and military dominance in the oceans. China, through its state-owned Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries(ZMPC), has now dominated the global market. It has also supplied 80% of ship-to shore cranes to the United States. ZPMC operates more than 200 cranes across two dozen U.S. port locations, including Houston Los Angeles, and New York. Each crane costs between $10 million and $20 million. The Trump administration has made it a priority to stop this trend. In meetings, officials said they would put an end to these purchases. Carl Bentzel is the president of the National Association of Waterfront Employers, which represents terminal operators, and other groups. Bentzel responded, "I have been operating on the assumption that this is the minimum." When asked if he anticipated the tariff rate would be around 100%, Bentzel replied, "I have been operating under that position. This is basically a ban on using Chinese-made cargo equipment." USTR and White House didn't immediately comment. Trump isn't the first U.S. president to pressure ports to purchase cranes at higher prices from manufacturers who have ties with U.S. Allies. These include Konecranes in Finland, Mitsui E&S in Japan, and Liebherr, based out of Switzerland. Joe Biden placed 25% tariffs in 2024 on cranes that connect ship to shore from China after the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency all publicly announced that China had sought to preposition vulnerabilities in American critical infrastructure including port equipment. Officials from the United States also warned that software, modems and other technologies in this equipment could be used to spy on military operations or as kill switches for port operations. Ports and terminal operators continue to buy Chinese cranes despite their lower cost. The inaction of the port operators is based on the desire to save money in the short term. However, they are underestimating the cost in the long run. William Henagan was the director for critical infrastructure in the National Security Council during Biden's tenure. In May, U.S. port operator and ZMPC representatives wrote to USTR to say that security concerns related to cranes were out-of-proportion to the risks. In May, USTR received letters from U.S. port operators and representatives of ZMPC stating that security concerns related to the cranes were out of proportion with the risk. NAWE, an industry organization that represents terminal operators, has been working hard to reduce the impact of new tariffs. They are asking for exemptions on previously ordered cranes, and for a transitional period before the new duties take effect. Bentzel stated, "We have chosen to work together."

• Ships use a message to avoid Red Sea attacks: 'All crew Muslim'

  After the Houthis' deadly attacks on commercial ships this week, commercial ships still sailing in the Red Sea broadcast messages about their nationality or even religion to their public tracking systems so as to avoid being targeted. The Red Sea is an important waterway for oil, commodities and other goods. However, traffic has declined sharply ever since the Houthi began their attacks on Yemen's coastline in November 2023. This was in support of the Palestinians during the Gaza War. After months of calm, the group has sunk two ships and Abdul Malik al-Houthi, its leader, reiterated that no company transporting goods to Israel will be allowed passage. Recent days, more ships that sail through the southern Red Sea or the Bab al-Mandab strait added messages to the public tracking profiles of their AIS. These can be viewed by clicking on a ship. The messages have mentioned an all-Chinese management and crew, as well as the presence of armed guards. MarineTraffic's and LSEG's ship tracking AIS data show that some messages read "All crew Muslim" while others make it clear that the ships have no connection with Israel. Sources in maritime security said that this was an indication of growing desperation, but also believed it would not make a difference. One source claimed that Houthi intelligence was "much more advanced and forward-looking". Shipping analysis revealed that vessels in the larger fleets of the two ships attacked and sunk this week by the Houthis had called on Israeli ports over the last year. Sources in maritime security said that even though shipping companies are required to do a thorough due diligence check on any possible tangential links with Israel before they sail through the Red Sea the risk of an attack is still high. The U.S. Central Command reported that in March 2024 the Houthis fired ballistic missiles at the Chinese-operated Huang Pu despite having previously said they would not target Chinese vessels. Houthis also targetted vessels that trade with Russia. In a recent report, Aon Insurance Brokers stated that despite declared ceasefires areas like the Red Sea or Bab al-Mandab Strait are still considered high-risk. Ship operators must take continuous monitoring and adaptable security measures. Insurance costs for goods shipping through the Red Sea have more than doubled in recent weeks, and some underwriters are suspending coverage on certain voyages. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, the number of vessels passing through the Strait of Aden at the southernmost tip of the Red Sea, which is a gateway into the Gulf of Aden was 35 on July 10 and 32 on July 9. This compares with 43 vessels on the first of July. This compares to a daily average sailing of 79 in October 2023 before the Houthi attacks started. Seafarers are essential to global trade. They keep countries stocked with fuel, food and medicine. The UK-based Seafarers' Charity stated this week that seafarers should not be required to risk their life to do their jobs. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Cawthorne, with additional reporting by Renee Maltezou)

• Sources say that Macquarie has shortlisted Brookfield, Stonepeak, and Air Liquide for its $3.6 billion S. Korean Gas firm.

  Three people familiar with the matter have confirmed that Macquarie Asset Management is shortlisting Brookfield Asset Management, Stonepeak, and French gas supplier Air Liquide to compete in the final round of bidding for South Korean industrial gases firm DIG Airgas. Sources who declined to name themselves because the information was confidential said that binding bids are expected around the end or early August for South Korea's largest industrial gas producer. Macquarie hired Goldman Sachs to manage the sale. The deal could be worth up to $3.6 Billion, according to a report in June. Macquarie Air Liquide Brookfield Stonepeak Goldman JPMorgan and JPMorgan all declined to comment. If the deal is successful, it would be the biggest investment for Brookfield and Stonepeak in South Korea, as both companies have a strong focus on infrastructure. Brookfield acquired SK Airplus in 2022, a gas-production facility that supplies SK Hynix (the world's 2nd largest memory semiconductor manufacturer). Stonepeak, based in New York, does not appear to have a portfolio of industrial gases in Asia on its website. According to its website, Air Liquide, based in Paris, has been operating in South Korea since 1996. It supplies gases for a variety of industries including chemical, construction and food and beverage. DIG Airgas, located in Seoul, has earnings of between $170 and $180 million before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Macquarie anticipates that a sale will value the company at 18-20 multiples core earnings, according to a previous source. DIG Airgas, a company founded in 1979, produces industrial gases, electronic gasses and gas equipment. Macquarie purchased the company formerly known Dausung Industrial Gases from South Korean private equity group MBK Partners in 2019 for 2,5 trillion won ($1,85 billion), local media reported. Reporting by Kane Wu, Yantoultra ngui. Mark Potter (Editing)

• Bulgarian prosecutors investigate gas deals with Turkey

  Sofia's city prosecutor announced on Wednesday that it had investigated a gas deal in 2023 between Bulgargaz, Bulgaria's state-owned gas company, and Botas of Turkey. The office also searched the former energy minister's home. Bulgargaz signed a 13 year deal with Botas in 2023 that allowed Bulgargaz the use of Turkey's LNG Terminals for cargo shipments. These would then be transported to Bulgaria via Botas’s gas network. Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy, said in May that Bulgargaz was still in debt because it had to pay for capacity it didn't use. Bulgargaz paid Botas 600 million leva ($359 millions) so far. The prosecutor's office stated that "currently, procedural and investigational actions are being conducted to collect and verify the evidence." The prosecutor's office said that the house of a single individual was searched. The investigation is focused on the contract between Bulgargaz EAD, a Bulgarian energy company and Botas in Turkey. It also examines the circumstances of its conclusion and if the contract has caused harm to the state. The website novinite.com reported that former energy minister Rosen Hristov who signed and negotiated the deal said his home had been searched, and investigators had taken away his laptop and phone. In his statement, he denied all wrongdoings and claimed that the investigation was political motivated. Botas was unable to provide any comment on the investigation. The deal with Botas is part of an effort to diversify Bulgaria's gas supply and find cheaper sources. Bulgaria was totally dependent on Russian Gas until 2022.

• Sources: Saudi Aramco and Commonwealth LNG in negotiations for an offtake agreement

  Four people said on Wednesday that Saudi Aramco, the oil giant, is in discussions with Commonwealth LNG about buying liquefied gas from its Cameron, Louisiana facility, to help it strengthen its position in super-chilled fuel markets. Two people have said that the talks are about 2 million tonnes per annum. Aramco as well as Commonwealth LNG have not responded to comments immediately. Aramco wants to increase its LNG portfolio, which is expected to grow by 50% globally by 2030. This is especially true in the United States where LNG capacity will almost double within the next four-years. Rio Grande LNG, NextDecade and other U.S. companies have already signed agreements with Aramco.

• After mysterious explosions, the Greek tanker fleet increases ship inspections in Russian ports

  Six Greek shipping and security companies report that Greek shipping companies visiting Russian ports have boosted their vessel's defences following a series mysterious explosions in the last few months which damaged tankers connected to Moscow's oil trading. Two Greek sources who are familiar with the strategy say that the measures include underwater inspections of foreign objects by divers. The West has imposed sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the war in Ukraine. Separately, the Group of Seven major countries has capped the price of oil exported by Moscow at $60 per barrel. This is the lifeline of the Russian economy. A large amount of Russia's crude oil is exported now by a "shadow fleet" (or unregulated fleet) of tankers. However, shipping data indicates that Greek-owned vessels, which are part of the largest tanker fleet in the world, also carried Russian crude. Greek shipping companies maintain that transporting Russian crude oil within the G7 cap is a legal trade. The explosions that occurred on at least six ships this year, which called in Russia's Baltic Sea Port of Ust-Luga, and its Black Sea Port of Novorossiysk, have shaken the market. One of the Greek sources who refused to be named due to the sensitive nature of the issue said that vessels waiting outside Russian anchorages or other zones would move their position at different times in order to make it less predictable. Crews were alert to any movement around their ship. Two other sources said that remote underwater inspections of the hulls and other measures were being considered. No official results have yet been released from the various investigations into these incidents, but security sources claim that some of the explosions were probably caused by limpet mines. These are magnetized mines that attach to targets. Three sources who advise the industry but are not directly involved with the investigation said that they were looking into the possibility of Ukrainian teams being involved in some blasts. This is because Kyiv has objected to Greek ships transporting Russian oil. Ukraine has not commented on these incidents before. Both its military intelligence agency, and its security services declined to comment about this story when contacted. The latest incident occurred on 6 July, when the Eco Wizard LPG tanker (liquefied petrol gas) experienced a series blasts in Russia's Ust-Luga Port. The transport ministry in Moscow said that a small leak of ammonia liquid occurred while the tanker was loading. A dive inspection was scheduled. Stealth Gas, a Greek-based company, declined to comment. Other sources claimed that the explosion was caused by an explosive device. An explosion damaged the Greek oil tanker Vilamoura earlier last week as it was sailing near the coast of Libya. According to TMS Tankers, an external explosive device was most likely responsible for this incident, citing a preliminary investigation. When asked about the investigation that was launched in January after the tanker Seacharm suffered damage in a February blast, the Greek authorities refused to comment citing the classified nature of the information. The Italian authorities who opened a terrorist investigation at the time into the damage caused to another tanker called the Seajewel have not provided any updates since. MEDITERRANEAN CONNECTION According to the data analysis, four of the tankers which suffered explosions this year had Greek operators, with another one located in Cyprus. The incident was the first in many years to involve non-military ships in the central Mediterranean. Corey Ranslem of Dryad Global's maritime cyber defence and risk information company, Dryad Global in Britain, said that vessels with Russian port callers were "increasingly exposed to sabotage" by state-sponsored or proxy actors amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Ranslem stated that "despite the relative stability of the Mediterranean compared to other high-risk areas like the Red Sea," vulnerabilities still exist during transit and at anchorages where there is less oversight, such as in Libya. Ellie Shafik is the head of intelligence at UK-based maritime risk management firm Vanguard Tech. She said that patterns of activity and likelihood of involvement indicated "Ukrainian actors or those with state-aligned interests" may have been involved in certain incidents. She said that the strategy appears to be covert maritime sabotage using limpets mines. This method will ensure engine room flooding and immobilization, without causing total destruction to the vessel or casualties among the crew. The nature of this sabotage indicates professional military capabilities. (Reporting and editing by Rachel Armstrong, Tomaszjanowski, and Renee Maltezou; additional reporting by Yannis Soulieotis and Tom Balmforth; Emilio Parodi, Gleb Stolyarov, and Yannis Souliotis);

• How US buyers of critical mineral bypass China's Export Ban

  According to records from customs and shipping, at least one Chinese company is involved in this trade. China is the largest supplier of antimony, gallium and germanium used in semiconductors, telecommunications and military technology. Beijing banned the export of these minerals to America on December 3, following Washington's crackdown against China's chip industry. The shift in trade flows highlights the struggle for vital minerals, and China's struggle for enforcement of its curbs. It is competing with the U.S. to achieve economic, military and technology supremacy. Trade data shows that U.S. shipments are being rerouted via third countries, a problem which Chinese officials have admitted. Three industry experts, including two executives from two U.S. firms who claimed to have obtained restricted minerals in China recently, confirmed this assessment. Customs data shows that the U.S. imported 3,834 tons of antimony oxides between December and April from Thailand and Mexico. This was almost three times more than the previous years combined. Thailand and Mexico meanwhile shot up to the top three markets for Chinese antimony exports this year according to Chinese data until May. In 2023, which was the last year of exports before Beijing began to restrict them, neither country made it into the top 10. According to RFC Ambrian consultancy, Thailand and Mexico both have one antimony smelter. The latter was only reopened last April. According to RFC Ambrian, neither country has significant quantities of antimony. The U.S. is on track to import antimony, germanium, and gallium at the same or higher levels than before the ban. However, prices will be higher. Ram Ben Tzion is the co-founder and CEO at Publican's digital platform for vetting shipments. He said that although there were clear signs of transshipment in trade data, it was not possible to identify companies involved. He said, "We're seeing a pattern and it's consistent." He added that Chinese companies were "super-creative" in their efforts to bypass regulations. In May, China's Commerce Ministry stated that "unspecified" overseas entities "colluded" with domestic lawbreakers to circumvent its export restrictions and that stopping this activity was vital to national security. It did not respond to any questions regarding the change in trade flows that occurred since December. Similar questions were not answered by the U.S. Commerce Department or Thailand's Commerce Ministry, nor Mexico's Economy Ministry. The U.S. does not prohibit American buyers from buying antimony, germanium, or gallium of Chinese origin. Chinese companies can export the minerals to other countries than the U.S. with a valid license. Levi Parker, founder and CEO of U.S. based Gallant Metals told us how he gets about 200 kg gallium per month from China. He did not name the parties because of the possible repercussions. Firstly, agents who buy in China purchase material from the producers. He said that a shipping firm then routes the packages via another Asian nation, with re-labeling as art supplies, iron, or zinc. Parker stated that the workarounds weren't cheap or perfect. Parker said that he would love to import 500kg regularly, but that he was concerned about the risk of attracting scrutiny. Chinese logistics companies are "very cautious" due to this. BRISK TRADE Thai Unipet Industries is a Thailand-based branch of Chinese antimony manufacturer Youngsun Chemicals. According to previously unreported records, the company has done brisk business with the U.S. over recent months. According to 36 bills recorded by ImportYeti, Export Genius and ImportYeti, Unipet shipped 3,366 tonnes of antimony-based products from Thailand to America between December and may. This was about 27 times more than the volume Unipet transported in the same time period last year. They do not always indicate the origin of raw materials. The records do not provide specific proof of transshipment. Thai Unipet could not be reached for a comment. A person answered when I called the number for the company listed on the shipping record. She said that the number did not belong to Unipet. No response was received when I mailed my questions to Unipet’s registered address. Youngsun Chemicals - Unipet's parent company - did not respond to any questions regarding the U.S. shipment. Unipet's U.S. shipments were purchased by Texas-based Youngsun & Essen. Before Beijing's antimony trioxide ban, Youngsun Chemicals imported the majority of its antimony from Youngsun Chemicals. Jimmy Song, the president of Youngsun & Essen, did not respond to questions regarding imports. China launched a major campaign against the transshipment of minerals and their smuggling in May. Offenders may be fined and banned from exporting in the future. James Hsiao of the Hong Kong-based law firm White & Case said that serious cases could also be classified as smuggling and lead to jail sentences exceeding five years. He said that Chinese laws are applicable to Chinese companies even when transactions take place overseas. Hsiao said that in cases of transshipment the Chinese authorities could prosecute sellers who failed to do enough due diligence to identify the end-user. For those willing to risk it, there are big profits to be made overseas where the shortages of gallium, antimony, and germanium have sent prices to record highs. China's antimony and Germanium exports are still lower than before the restrictions. Ben Tzion, a Beijing-based economist, says that Beijing must now ensure that its export control regime is effective. "While all of these policies are in place, the enforcement of them is a totally different scenario," said he.

• British Airways wants the UK to be added to China's Visa Waiver Scheme

  An executive at British Airways said that the company would like Britain to be added to China's list of countries eligible to receive its 30-day visa free scheme in order to increase demand following its suspension of Beijing flights last summer. China has steadily extended its 30-day visa-free scheme. In June, 55 countries were included. The policy does not cover Britain, even though British passport holders were eligible for a 240 hour transit visa-free period last year. Neil Chernoff told the media in Shanghai that the airline was working with the UK Government and the China Government to see if they could get the UK involved with this programme. I think we could improve the demand by doing that. British Airways, along with other foreign airlines, suspended its flights to Beijing on October 1. They are struggling due to a ban of flying over Russian airspace as well as a slower-than-expected recovery in Chinese travel following the pandemic. The longer flights around Russia result in higher fuel costs and crew costs. Also, aircraft utilization is lower. This puts Chinese carriers at a competitive disadvantage with airlines who can fly over Russia. Chernoff stated that "in a country like China, where they are not under the same restrictions as we are in the UK, their flight times will be shorter, and therefore, they'll have a better product." British Airways, who still fly daily to Shanghai and Hong Kong is constantly evaluating if it should bring back the Beijing route. Chernoff stated that the demand has not kept up with the increasing supply of vaccines since pandemic. Chernoff, speaking at an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary British Airways' Shanghai route, said that there was no timetable for when the direct flights between London Heathrow and Beijing would resume. The British Foreign Office didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. British Airways and China Southern have a joint venture. On Wednesday, British Airways announced that it would deepen the partnership by allowing both parties to collect and redeem frequent flyer points. Reporting by Casey Hall and Sophie Yu. Mark Potter edited the article.

• Russia launches 700 drones against Ukraine after Trump promises to send more weapons

  Russia launched 728 drones against Ukraine overnight. This was just hours after U.S. president Donald Trump had pledged to send additional defensive weapons to Kyiv, and criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unusually harsh manner. This attack was part of an escalating series of air attacks in recent weeks, which have included hundreds of drones as well as ballistic missiles. The air defences of Ukraine are being strained at a critical time in the war. According to Yurii Ihnat, the air force spokesperson on Ukrainian TV, Kyiv's army downed most of the drones. However, some hypersonic missiles fired by Russia caused damage that was not specified. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, who is scheduled to meet with U.S. ambassador Keith Kellogg on Wednesday in Rome, said that the strike demonstrated the need for "biting" sanctions on the sources used by Russia to fund the war. This includes those who purchase Russian oil. Trump said Tuesday that he would consider supporting a bill imposing harsh sanctions on Russia. This includes tariffs of 500% on nations who buy Russian oil and gas, uranium, and other exports. "We are constantly bombarded with bullshit by Putin." Trump told a cabinet gathering that Putin is always very nice, but his words are meaningless. Trump replied, "I would not tell you." When asked by a journalist what actions he planned to take against Putin. We're going to surprise you. Separately Europe is working on new sanctions against Moscow. Trump, who came to power in this year with the promise of a quick end to the conflict in Ukraine, now has a more accommodative tone towards Moscow, a change from the Biden Administration's staunch backing for Kyiv. The initial talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States to end the Kremlin invasion of February 2022 have not yielded much fruit. Moscow has yet to accept a ceasefire that was proposed by Trump and accepted in Kyiv. The U.S. President's promise to provide more defensive weapons seemed to reverse a Pentagon Decision days earlier to halt some crucial munitions to Ukraine despite increased Russian attacks which have killed dozens of people in recent weeks. After the attack on Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that all diplomatic methods to end the war had been exhausted. He promised to continue his support for Kyiv. Zelenskiy, following Trump's promise, said on Tuesday that he had ordered a greater expansion of contacts with United States in order to ensure crucial deliveries of military supplies, especially air defence. POLAND SCRAMBLES JET Residents of Kyiv, and other major cities, spent the night in shelters for air raids such as metro stations. A part of the overnight Russian strike targeted a region in western Ukraine, close to NATO member Poland. Zelenskiy stated that the city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine, about 200 km from Poland, was a main target. He listed 10 other provinces throughout Ukraine, where damage had also been reported. Polish and allies aircraft were Activated The Polish military has said that it is committed to ensuring air safety. Regional authorities reported that although buildings in Lutsk were damaged, no injuries or deaths occurred during the largest airstrike of the war against the city, which has a population of 200,000. Ihor Poleschuk, the mayor of the city, reported that a storage facility and parking structures had caught fire. Ivan Rudnytskyi said that 50 Russian drones, five missiles, and other aircraft were flying in the airspace of Volyn, which includes Lutsk. (Reporting and editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Peter Graff and Lidia Kelly)