At 10:52, a film depicting sexual misconduct in Russia secures a cinematic award.
The film titled "He returned", which unveils sexual assaults during the Russian occupation of Kyiv and Kherson regions in 2022, has been awarded in Prague. Two survivors in the movie recount their experiences and how they identified their attackers and their commanders later on. The film crew even recreated a crime in the occupied Donetsk region. The documentary reveals 292 instances of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers, with experts estimating this number to be an underestimation of the actual scale.
10:22 Announcing the Victory StrategyUkraine's President Zelensky is set to unveil his "victory strategy" in the coming days, as confirmed by a presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak. The strategy, which comprises five points, covers both military and diplomatic aspects, including inviting Ukraine to join NATO. Further details have yet to be disclosed. The strategy aims to bolster Ukraine's negotiating position and press Russia for a just peace, according to Kyiv.
09:37 Enhanced Precision in Warfare due to Illegal Starlink TerminalsRussian forces have boosted their precision and agility with the help of illegal Starlink terminals, according to the "Washington Post". These terminals enable the Russians to coordinate attacks better, fly more drones, and accurately target Ukrainian troops with artillery fire. Six Ukrainian soldiers from different units in Donetsk have attested to this. The terminals provide live drone views of the battlefield and ensure secure communication between soldiers. While these terminals are illegal to sell to Moscow, a black market for Starlink has supposedly emerged, making the terminals accessible to the Russians at the front.
09:16 US Missile Base to Open in PolandPoland's government has announced the imminent opening of a US air defense missile base near Puck on the Baltic coast. The base is expected to become operational in the coming weeks. Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mentioned that the missile defense systems at the base can not only intercept Iranian missiles heading towards the US but also Russian missiles targeting Poland.
08:51 Ukraine Reports Russian Attacks with 68 DronesRussia attacked Ukraine overnight with 68 drones and four missiles, according to Ukrainian air force reports on Telegram. Two ballistic missiles of the Iskander type hit the regions of Poltava and Odessa. Two guided missiles were fired at the regions of Chernihiv and Sumy. Air defense units shot down 31 drones, and 36 drones were likely intercepted by electronic air defense. One drone was still in the air in the morning.
08:17 Russia claimed to have Shot down 13 Ukrainian DronesRussia claims to have shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight over three border regions. The air defense system destroyed six drones over the Russian regions of Belgorod and Kursk, and one drone over the region of Bryansk, the Kremlin's Defense Ministry said on Telegram.
07:16 Ukrainian Forces Regain Positions in DonetskDeepState, a group of military experts, reports that Ukrainian forces were successful in the Donetsk Oblast overnight. Near the city of Novohrodivka, the Ukrainians reportedly recaptured their lost positions from the Russians. Meanwhile, DeepState also reports Russian successes in Donetsk, with Moscow's troops advancing near the settlement of Veseloe.
06:30 Change in Power in Lithuania: All Parties Support UkraineLithuanians are voting for a new parliament today. Polls indicate a change of government, with the Social Democrats expected to replace the current conservative Homeland Union as the strongest force. The "Aušra" party could also enter parliament for the first time. All major parties in the Baltic state of 2.8 million people agree that Ukraine should continue to be supported and that defense against Russia must be strengthened.
04:39 Elderly Soldiers in Russian RanksThe soldiers Russia is deploying in Ukraine are becoming older, according to data collected and published by Russian oppositional media project Mediazona and BBC Russia. Researchers have analyzed data from nearly 73,000 soldiers who have died since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the first six months of the war, the majority of deaths occurred among those aged 21 to 23. However, the partial mobilization, use of prisoners, and recruitment of volunteers have changed the age structure. Notably, among those who volunteered, the majority were aged 48 to 50, according to Mediazona.
01:05 Zelensky Pushes for Expansion of Weapons Production in UkraineUkrainian President Zelensky wants to significantly expand weapons production with Western investments. "Our industrial capacity allows us to produce far more drones, more shells, and military equipment than our country's financial capabilities allow," he said in his evening video address. The West could provide the necessary funds, as many partners are currently unable to help Ukraine sufficiently due to a lack of their own weapons. During his visit to Paris, a new Ukrainian-French model was discussed, which will now be further developed at the level of defense ministers.
23:31 Zelensky: Ukrainian forces hold ground in Kursk regionAccording to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian troops are currently holding their positions in the Russian border area known as Kursk. In response to Russian attempts to push back their positions, Ukrainian forces are managing to maintain their designated lines, as stated by Zelensky in his evening address. Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its forces had regained control over two villages in Kursk. In August, approximately a thousand Ukrainian soldiers entered Kursk during one of the largest attacks on Russian territory since February 2022, crossing the border with tanks and armored vehicles.
22:21 Media: Drones used to target Russian ammunition and fuel depotsUkraine has been employing drones to conduct strikes on Russian ammunition and fuel depots, causing significant explosions and disrupting supply chains. Ukrainian military leader Oleksandr Syrsky praised the operation's pace. Ukrainian media speculated that this strategy could serve as a blueprint for the potential deployment of more powerful weapons against deep Russian military targets, should Western allies permit it. This is reportedly an essential element of President Zelensky's "victory plan," which he has discussed with several international leaders in recent days.
21:58 Belarus accused of human rights violations against Ukrainian childrenFreedom House, an American non-governmental organization, has accused the Belarusian government of engaging in serious human rights abuses against Ukrainian children. The organization claims that Belarus is actively participating in the relocation, indoctrination, and militarization of children from Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine. This is part of a strategy orchestrated by Russia to wipe out Ukrainian culture and identity. Over 2,000 children, according to the organization, have been identified as being transferred from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Belarus, where they are allegedly subjected to re-education in detention centers.
21:39 Serbia secures additional Russian gas suppliesSerbia has recently signed a contract with the Russian state-owned company Gazprom to secure additional natural gas supplies. The deal was sealed by the CEOs of Gazprom and the state-owned Serbian company Srbijagas at the international gas forum in St. Petersburg. Currently, Serbia depends on 80% of its gas supply from Russia. The country had previously inked a three-year supply agreement with Gazprom upon the commencement of Russia's invasion in May 2022. A decision on whether to renew this contract is set to be made at the start of the following year.
20:50 Zelensky: Ukraine has potential to mass-produce dronesWith the help of international partners, President Zelensky aims to increase the production of military equipment such as drones within Ukraine. As a result of his foreign visits, several investment projects are being initiated. Zelensky declared that Ukraine's industrial capabilities surpass its current financial ability due to a lack of funds. Partner countries that lack sufficient supplies or are unable to provide Ukraine with weapon deliveries due to other constraints are prepared to financially support and invest in Ukraine's defense industry.
20:11 Iran sends satellites to support Russia's space programAs per media reports, Iran has sent two locally developed satellites to Russia, which are slated to be launched into orbit by a Russian spacecraft. This latest space collaboration between Iran and Russia, overshadowed by US sanctions, was reported by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. The development of Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a compact communications satellite, is said to be the first major achievement of Iran's private space sector. Russia has previously helped launch Iranian satellites into orbit in February 2022. US representatives expressed concerns at the time, fearing that the satellite would assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine and benefit Iran in monitoring potential military targets in the Middle East.
19:48 Russian military intensifies attacks in Kursk regionAccording to the latest situation report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian army has escalated its attacks against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Russian troops have gained ground in the Kursk Oblast, effectively pushing back Ukrainian forces in the Glushkovsky district. The ISW reports that the Russian military aims to repel the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk before the upcoming winter season begins, as the poor weather conditions will hamper their efforts.
Sources for information can be found here.
1: The urgency to counteract Cyberwar becomes increasingly important as Russia boosts its precision in warfare using illegal Starlink terminals, allowing for enhanced communication and targeting capabilities.
2: In the context of enhancing Ukraine's negotiating position and pressing for a just peace, Cyberwar is a potential threat that should be addressed as part of President Zelensky's 'victory strategy'.
