MOSCOW - Russian forces have taken control of the settlement of Komarovka in Ukraine's Sumy region, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday.
Units of the Russian Armed Forces deployed operational-tactical aircraft, strike drones, missile troops and artillery to hit 145 targets, the ministry said in a statement.
Targets included storage and pre-flight preparation facilities for long-range drones, fuel depots, energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex enterprises, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian military formations and foreign mercenaries, it added.
Separately, the ministry said Russian air defense forces shot down 260 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones, seven guided aerial bombs and six US-made HIMARS rockets over the past 24 hours.
Ukrainian state of emergency
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Wednesday that a state of emergency will be declared in the country's energy sector due to the impact of Russian strikes and deteriorating weather conditions.
The measure is intended to simplify formal procedures related to connecting backup power equipment to electricity networks, he said on Telegram.
Zelensky added that he instructed relevant authorities to increase electricity imports.
In addition, the government will review curfew regulations amid the extremely cold weather, and consider formats for the educational process, he said.
Zelensky noted that the energy situation is most difficult in the Ukrainian capital, Odesa and the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine.
Ukrainian new energy, defense ministers
The Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday approved the appointment of new energy and defense ministers, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Denys Shmyhal was appointed energy minister and first deputy prime minister, while Mykhailo Fedorov was appointed defense minister.
Both nominations were submitted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Shmyhal's appointment was backed by 248 lawmakers, while Fedorov received 277 votes in the 450-seat parliament.
Shmyhal, 50, formerly served as prime minister and defense minister. Fedorov, 34, had held the posts of first deputy prime minister and minister for digital transformation.
