A Crimean resident faces a substantial jail sentence due to charges of alleged treason.
16:42 Doctor Under Investigation for Earning Millions through False Disability Certificates
A doctor serving as the head of a medical commission in Ukraine is under suspicion of amassing millions by issuing disability certificates to supposedly sick men. During searches at her residence and workplace in Chmelnytskyi, authorities seized around five million euros in cash. Alongside this, over two million euros were discovered in her offshore accounts, according to the State Investigation Bureau. The 64-year-old doctor also acquired numerous properties and luxury vehicles. During the searches, investigators found lists of men who had received bogus illness certificates. She faces up to 12 years in prison, as reported by the media. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv handed over 13 doctors who allegedly issued disability certificates to over 400 men for approximately 2,200 euros each.
16:12 Ukraine Claims Responsibility for Fire at Russian Oil Depot
Ukraine claims responsibility for a fire at an oil depot in the Russian region of Voronezh. Ukrainian sources from the SBU domestic security service stated, "The enemy's air defense was unsuccessful despite being active." The depot, containing twenty tanks, was struck during a nighttime drone attack, resulting in a significant fire. The governor of Voronezh confirmed that a Ukrainian drone struck an empty tank at the oil depot, causing a minor fire that was quickly extinguished. However, Russian emergency services reported a fire covering an area of 2,000 square meters at a warehouse in the Voronezh region.
16:00 Cherson Governor: Elderly Woman Killed by Russian Drone
The governor of the Cherson region reported a fatality resulting from a Russian drone attack. A 75-year-old woman was fatally injured when the Russian army attacked Cherson with a drone in the mid-afternoon.
15:49 Wagenknecht and Wadephul Praise Woidke, Voigt, and Kretschmer for Their Contribution to Ukraine
While the joint appeal by Saxony and Brandenburg ministers, Michael Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke, and Thuringian CDU chairman Mario Voigt has garnered significant criticism regarding their approach to Ukraine, praise has surfaced from Sahra Wagenknecht, head of the BSW. "A thoughtful and contrasting proposal" was their joint call, she shared with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." Support also arrived from the CDU's foreign policy expert, Johann Wadephul: "The proposal is responsible because it adheres to our fundamental guidelines: it recognizes the breach of international law by Russia, our firm adherence to the EU and NATO, and a resolution only possible in accordance with the UN Charter." With the guest article, "a red line" has been drawn. "If it is crossed, there will be no cooperation with the BSW." Wadephul perceives the appeal as "a serious attempt to create a bridge for potential coalition negotiations while adhering to one's own principles." The fact that three leading politicians from the CDU and SPD participated in this initiative is "a powerful statement." Learn more here.
15:30 Eastern Politicians' Ukrainian Appeal Sparks Criticism: "Values are Traded for Power Gain"
CDU leader Friedrich Merz criticized the calls for more diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine by leading politicians from the east. "Ukraine is fighting for its very existence. It is in our own interest to continue supporting it. Peace talks will only materialize if both sides are prepared," Merz told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." Criticism also arrived from SPD Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael Roth. "If the letter from the three prospective minister-presidents is meant as a softener for potential coalition negotiations with the BSW, I advise extreme caution," Roth said, referencing the alliance between Sahra Wagenknecht and recent state elections. FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann shared her thoughts with the "Rheinische Post." "One gets the feeling that the liberal values of our country are being bartered for a tiny bit of power gain and campaigning." The heads of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer of the CDU, and Dietmar Woidke of the SPD, alongside Thuringian CDU Chairman Mario Voigt penned a guest article in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urging the federal government to negotiate with Russia. Learn more here.
15:05 Post-Mortem Exam Determines Likely Cause of Death in Alleged "Spy Whale"
Contrary to speculation by animal rights activists, the alleged "spy whale" discovered in Norway was more likely killed by a bacterial infection. Veterinarians, who postmortemed the beluga whale, concluded, "The probable cause of death was a bacterial infection." This might have been due to a wound in the mouth, according to the autopsy report, police stated. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police forensic experts ascertained that several superficial skin wounds on the marine mammal were not gunshot wounds, and no projectiles or other metal fragments were found. The whale was first spotted in Norway in 2019, wearing a harness with a camera and the inscription "Equipment of St. Petersburg," fueling speculation that it could be a Russian spy whale or a therapy whale. It was found deceased in a Norwegian bay in late August 2024. Two animal protection organizations alleged that the whale had been shot based on the nature of its injuries and filed a complaint.
14:33 Multiple Drone Attacks: Kyiv reports DamageUkraine claims to have taken down 9 drones and impeded another 7 out of 19 attempting to hit crucial infrastructure during the night. Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv reports that a residential building sustained damage in the city, with a subsequent quick fire extinguishing. In the southern area of Kherson, Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych shares that multiple attacks struck critical infrastructure, utility facilities, and 35 private homes, resulting in one fatality and four injuries.
14:04 Moscow: "Kyiv is Playing with Fire"Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, comments to Reuters, stating, "Kyiv continues to play with fire, and we will, of course, bring this to the attention of the International Atomic Energy Agency representatives." On Thursday, Russian forces purportedly thwarted a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant, and some sources report a blaze several miles away. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi previously denied any Ukrainian weaponry being used near the nuclear plant.
13:46 France Sends 12 Caesar Howitzers to UkraineFrench Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced through the X platform that French defense firm KNDS has secured a contract to dispatch 12 Caesar howitzers, funded by Ukraine. Caesar stands for "Mobile Artillery System equipped with Ammunition," and this self-propelled artillery system can hit targets up to 55 kilometers away. Lecornu added, "Boosting our defense industry production capacity helps support Ukraine." France has previously provided Ukraine with Caesar howitzers.
13:11 Ukraine: Arson Attack on FSB Headquarters in NovosibirskAn arson attack occurred on the Russian domestic intelligence agency FSB's headquarters in Novosibirsk on October 3. A man captured in a video by the Ukrainian military intelligence allegedly set the fire and became consumed by it. Russian media reported the incident.
12:34 Russia: Nuclear Plant Worker Killed in Car Bomb AttackA key figure at the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia was killed in a car bomb explosion. The Ukrainian security service released footage of a car explosion and stated that "nuclear plant security chief" Andriy Korotky was killed. Korotky was identified as a "war criminal" who "willingly collaborated with Russian occupiers" by the security service, as he denounced pro-Ukrainian employees of the nuclear plant. The pro-Russian leadership of the nuclear plant confirmed Korotky's death and labelled it a "terrorist attack orchestrated by Kyiv." The nuclear plant's director, Yuri Chernichuk, labeled it a "reckless" attack that "should be punished." The Russian Investigative Committee claimed an explosive device was implanted under Korotky's car at his home and detonated as he left.
12:02 Munz: Putin Wants to Show 'War is Worth It'According to Rainer Munz, the Russian army will intensify its pressure in eastern Ukraine following the capture of Vuhledar city. Munz also explained why Putin is increasingly appointing war veterans to high-level positions.
11:29 Ukraine: At Least 177 Ukrainian Prisoners of War Dead in Russian CaptivitySince the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war have perished in Russian custody, explains Victoria Tsymbaliuk of the Ukrainian POW coordination center at the "Kyiv Independent." The actual number of fatalities in Russian captivity could be significantly higher due to the lack of international monitoring, Tsymbaliuk adds. "Many victims' bodies have not been returned, and some are not even recognized as captives by Russia," Tsymbaliuk mentions. Reports of Ukrainian POWs experiencing torture or death in Russian captivity have surfaced. In September, the prosecutor general's office initiated criminal proceedings into the execution of 84 Ukrainian POWs.
11:00 Ukraine: Russians Attack Kirovohrad Region with DronesRussian forces targeted the Kirovohrad region in central Ukraine with drones, reported the head of the regional military administration, Andriy Raykovych, on his Telegram channel. A business headquarters building in Holovanivsk sustained damages in the drone attack, injuring one individual.
10:27 Insurer UNIQA Finally Exits RussiaAustrian insurer UNIQA has completed the sale of its Russian subsidiary to Russian Renaissance Life. The price of the purchase was undisclosed. UNIQA announced over a year ago that it planned to sell its joint insurance subsidiary with Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to Russian insurer Renaissance Life. "With the completion of this transaction, we have now officially departed from the Russian market," said UNIQA board member Wolfgang Kindl.
09:55 Major Fires in Two Russian Fuel DepotsFires engulfed two Russian fuel depots overnight. In the Voronezh region (see entry 05:10), Governor Alexander Gusev claims a Ukrainian drone strike caused the fire. He reported on Telegram that fragments from an intercepted combat drone fell into the depot and ignited an empty tank. Social media shared footage of the suspected drone strike, although the extent of the fire remained unclear. A fuel depot covering an area of 10,000 square meters is burning in a Russian village near Perm in the Ural Mountains. The Russian emergency services verified this, albeit not mentioning a drone strike. Ukrainian drones have the capability of striking targets at such distances. The village is approximately 1700 kilometers away from Ukraine. Read more here.
09:30 Julia Navalny Dismisses Need for Talks with Putin
Julia Navalnaya has ruled out the necessity of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There's no point in engaging with him (...). We need to fight him so that one day justice will prevail," the exiled wife of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny stated before the French Constitutional Council in Paris. "The West doesn't comprehend that Putin doesn't wait for someone to approach and discuss matters with him. (...) He doesn't give a damn," she added. She emphasized the importance of "not giving up and not being terrified of this regime." In July, she was named on a list of "terrorists and extremists" in Russia. Just prior to that, a Russian court had issued an arrest warrant against her for "participation in an extremist organization."
08:58 Ukraine Reveals Russian Casualty Figures
The Ukrainian General Staff has disclosed new casualty statistics for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to their data, Russia has lost approximately 657,940 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,230. The report from Kyiv also indicates that 15 tanks, 59 artillery systems, and 101 drones have been destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,908 tanks, 18,965 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 16,494 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. International estimates suggest lower losses, but these figures may also be minimum values.
08:09 Ukraine Reports 82 Russian Attacks on Sumy Region
Russian forces have attacked the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine 82 times in the past 24 hours, the regional military administration reported on Telegram. Eight people were wounded in the attacks. The Russian forces are said to have used mortars, artillery, rocket launchers, guided bombs, and drones. More than ten communities in Sumy were affected, including Mykolajiw, Chotyn, Junakiwka, Myropillja, Bilopillja, Richkiwka, Krasnopillja, Velyka Pyssariwka, Nova Sloboda, Hluchiw, Shalyhyne, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda. The Sumy region borders the Russian regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod.
07:33 Ukraine Opens First Recruitment Center in PolandThe Ukrainian military has established a recruitment center in Poland, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced. The "Ukrainian Legion" center in the Polish city of Lublin is the first overseas recruitment center for the Ukrainian military. The plan to train a "Ukrainian Legion" in Poland was part of a security agreement signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July. Since the Russian invasion, Poland has welcomed nearly one million people from Ukraine. Estimates by the Ukrainian government suggest that around 300,000 people of combat age from Ukraine are living in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Waldemar Kosiniak-Kamysz told the portal "Wirtualna Polska" that Poland is not responsible for the recruitment of Ukrainian volunteers but only for their military training. "The number of Ukrainians who have enlisted for this is too small," said Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, almost 200 applications have been received so far.
06:52 ISW: Russian Resources Critically Depleted for Offensive in Eastern UkraineThe Russian forces no longer have sufficient personnel and material resources to sustain intensified offensive efforts indefinitely, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian summer offensive had been prepared by the Russian military leadership for months in advance. However, the reserves and resources gathered for this purpose are likely significantly depleted due to the intense combats of the past months, as per ISW. As Ukrainian officials and ISW had previously assessed, the current Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is likely to reach its peak in the coming months, if not weeks.
06:12 Zelensky: "Front Line Must Be Strengthened"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the visit of the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Kyiv just two days after his inauguration as "significant". "Now it's about implementing these priority agreements with Ukraine's partners," says Zelensky in his evening video address. Primarily, all pledges made by Ukraine's partners regarding support for defending the country must be fully honored, emphasizes Zelensky, referring to previously unfulfilled or partially implemented promises. "The front line must be strengthened," says Zelensky. In addition, he demands permission from partners for the use of long-range weapons against military targets on Russian territory. "Everyone in the alliance is aware of the need," says the President. Zelensky also names air defense as another priority.
05:35 Ukraine Highlights Small Arms Capabilities to Attract Foreign Investors
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is seeking foreign investors for its defense industry. A special arms expo was organized for potential foreign investors at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, according to the agency Ukrinform. Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov presented a range of Ukrainian weapons, including an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery system, unmanned suicide vehicles, and mine-clearing vehicles. "We have unique developments that have already been tested in combat and refined by developers to a certain standard," he said. According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has already invested four billion dollars (3.6 billion euros) in the defense industry and hopes to attract more investments from international partners.
05:10 Moscow: Drone Down, Oil Tank Blaze
In the Russian region of Voronezh close to the border, air defense authorities allegedly took down a few Ukrainian drones during the night. One of these reportedly crashed into an oil depot's property, leading to the ignition of an unoccupied tank. Initial assessments suggest no casualties. The credibility of these statements cannot be authenticated. Voronezh has recently been targeted by Ukrainian drone assaults.
02:51 Kyiv Strengthens Eastern Defenses
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyj, has issued orders to bolster defense installations in the eastern region of Donetsk. Russian forces are pushing forward in multiple sectors within eastern Ukraine. Syrskyj shared this information on social media, mentioning he's collaborating with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade on "one of the most critical front lines."
22:22 Latvia's Tourism Impacted by War
Russia's conflict with Ukraine is negatively influencing Latvia's tourism industry, as stated by "Diena," the Latvian newspaper, today. Both hospitality sector entrepreneurs and the Central Statistical Bureau acknowledge that the war is hindering the tourism industry's recovery post-COVID-19. Moreover, visitors perceive the Baltic region as less secure due to the proximity of neighboring military conflicts.
21:40 Switzerland Aids Ukraine with 1.5 Billion Euros
Switzerland plans to contribute 1.5 billion Swiss francs (approximately 1.54 billion euros) towards reconstruction initiatives in Ukraine over the subsequent four years. The funds will primarily be allocated to Ukrainian self-governance, landmine clearance, and humanitarian aid. Remaining funds will be allotted for projects involving the Swiss private sector, the Ukrainian Ministry of Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure. "To show the gravity of our intentions, our representative in Ukraine will oversee the project's implementation," Swiss Ambassador Felix Baumann announced during a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Kuleba also highlighted the construction of apartments for Ukraine's 4.5 million displaced persons as a priority for collaboration with Switzerland.
20:39 Ukraine Acquires Patriot Air Defense System from Romania
The Ukrainian authorities have accepted a Patriot air defense system from Bucharest, as confirmed by the Romanian Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Constantin Spinu, to Radio Free Europe. "I express gratitude to all countries that help us with air defense, especially grateful to Romania for the Patriot systems. Together, we can achieve greater effectiveness – we can put an end to Russian terror by destroying Shahed drones and missiles together," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had mentioned in his Wednesday evening address. Initially hesitant, Bucharest decided in June to donate one of its Patriots. The Romanian government authorized the system's delivery last month.
19:57 Forbes: Gazprom Becomes Russia's Least Profitable Company
Russian conglomerate, Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom, incurred a record net loss of 5.5 billion euros in 2023, marking the first time in 25 years, according to Forbes business magazine. Amur Gas and Chemicals Complex, a joint venture between Russian Sibur Holding and Chinese Sinopec, ranked second on the Russian Forbes list of least profitable companies. Gazprom's losses placed it among the five least profitable Russian companies, alongside Ozon (with a net loss of 408 million euros), United Aircraft Corporation (with a net loss of 326 million euros, which belongs to Rostec), and social networking site VK (with a net loss of 326 million euros).
You can review previous developments here.
Despite the provided text not mentioning the Ukrainian conflict directly, we can create two hypothetical scenarios that introduce and refer to the topic. Here are the sentences:
- Given the ongoing tension in Eastern Europe, there have been calls for greater international support to Ukraine, specifically in the area of arms provision. Some experts argue that Ukraine's defensive capabilities could be significantly enhanced through foreign investment in small arms manufacturing sectors.
- In the wake of the escalating Ukrainian conflict, experts have highlighted the importance of focusing on small arms manufacturing to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. With the right investment and technological advancements, Ukraine could emerge as a key player in the global market for high-quality, cost-effective small arms.
