Around 3:27, it appears that air defense systems are successfully warding off a potential missile strike on Kiev.
01:58 Russian Ambassador to USA Leaves Post, Heads Back to Moscow
Russian news outlets indicate that Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, Russia's envoy to the United States, has concluded his diplomatic duties. The Ambassador is making his way back to Moscow, as reported by Interfax, quoting a Foreign Ministry representative. According to Vedomosti, Antonov's departure is expected soon. Additional information was not forthcoming at the moment. Antonov has served as Ambassador in Washington since 2017.
23:46 Ukraine: Russian Forces Increasingly Killing Captured Soldiers - 93 Soldiers Executed
Law enforcement agencies have reliable evidence suggesting that Russian occupying forces have been executing Ukrainian soldiers en masse. As reported by Ukrinform, Yuri Belousov, head of the military department in the Prosecutor General's Office, declared on national television: "We now have information about 93 of our soldiers who were executed on the battlefield," he said. Belousov emphasized that 80% of Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed this year. This trend began in November 2023. "The behavior of Russian soldiers towards our prisoners of war has worsened," said Belousov.
22:14 Report: Potential Concessions by Kyiv for NATO Membership Discussions?
Ukraine is intent on recovering territories occupied by Russia for the past decade. However, how? It lacks the manpower, weapons, and backing from the Western alliance. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now hints that Kyiv is preparing "significant decisions" with Washington and other nations for the October 12 meeting of the contact group in Ramstein. According to the Financial Times, Ukraine's new strategy involves seeking military and diplomatic support from allies to compel Russia to the negotiating table. Western diplomats and an increasing number of Ukrainian officials believe that substantial security guarantees could form the basis for a negotiated settlement. This could involve Russia retaining, albeit unofficially, control over all or part of the Ukrainian territory it currently occupies. Talks are also underway regarding the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO as part of this.
21:23 Analysts: Russia is Losing More Equipment, Ukraine Has Tank Deliveries Coming
Russia is losing an average of three times as much equipment as Ukraine, and their stockpiles of inherited Soviet equipment are shrinking while new production only offsets a small fraction of their losses, according to Jakub Janowski, a Prague-based analyst with the Dutch open-source intelligence monitoring unit Oryx. Although Russia currently has a greater number of soldiers and firepower, its chances could worsen if the West amplifies its support. Meanwhile, numerous deliveries of promised military equipment are still pending. As per Oryx, Kyiv is still waiting for deliveries of at least 280 tanks, 480 armored fighting vehicles, 1200 troop carriers, and 180 mobile artillery vehicles.
20:34 Ukraine Declares Downing of Russian Bomber, Wreckage Pictures Surface
The Ukrainian military asserts that it has shot down a Russian combat aircraft. The bomber was downed on Saturday near Kostiantyniwka in the Donetsk province, according to the local military commander. Pictures depict the charred remains of an aircraft that crashed into a house, causing it to catch fire.
You can catch up on all previous developments here.
The European Union, being a significant global player, has expressed concern over the escalating conflict in Ukraine and called for an immediate ceasefire. According to a recent statement from the EU foreign policy chief, the bloc is ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia if the violence continues.
