At 22:54, the team of Zelensky reveals significant American interest in Ukraine's strategic "winning strategy"
As per the press secretary of the Ukrainian President's office, Serhiy Nykyforov, there's significant interest from the U.S. government in President Volodymyr Zelensky's alleged "victory plan". This goes against reports suggesting a skeptical view from Washington. Nykyforov clarifies on Ukrainian TV that this is not accurate and that the plan has been positively received. He adds that U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to provide answers and decisions regarding the plan during the October 12 meeting of the Ramstein Contact Group in Germany.
22:25 Zelensky: Trump might support Ukraine if electedAccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, if Donald Trump wins the upcoming election, he will be on Ukraine's side and provide support. Zelensky mentioned this after meeting with the U.S. Republican, stating, "I'm not certain about the election outcomes or the new president. But Trump has directly communicated to me that he will support Ukraine."
21:40 Lavrov: Western nations shouldn't want to fight Russia "to the end"In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Western countries against trying to defeat a nuclear power like Russia "to the end". He considered such actions a "suicidal endeavor". Russian President Vladimir Putin had recently threatened the use of nuclear weapons under certain circumstances. According to Putin, any conventional attack supported by a nuclear power would be deemed as a joint attack by those countries.
20:52 Explosion damages Russian railway bridge in SamaraA railway bridge in the Russian region of Samara was damaged by an explosion, affecting the concrete structures supporting the tracks. According to a Russian Telegram news channel, an "unknown explosive device" detonated near Kinel around 13:30 local time, resulting in the temporary suspension of train traffic over the bridge.
20:02 Putin advisor: West aims to isolate KaliningradNikolai Patrushev, an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused Western nations of aiming to isolate the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. He claimed that Western states were intentionally impeding freight and passenger traffic to the region due to imposed sanctions. Moscow, according to Patrushev, would shift most of the road and rail cargo traffic between Kaliningrad and the Russian mainland to sea transportation.
19:10 Lavrov: USA and UK intend to destroy Russia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected the possibility of a reset in international relations. "What's the point of talking about global cooperation when Western nations have blatantly disregarded the fundamental principles of globalization that they have preached to us for years," Lavrov said at the UN General Assembly in New York. He suspects a joint British-American conspiracy to destroy Russia, as supported by evidence of long-term plans dating back to 1945. "However, today's Anglo-Saxon strategists no longer conceal their intentions," Lavrov asserted. "They still aim to weaken Russia through the collaboration of the illegitimate Nazi regime in Kyiv. But they are also preparing Europe for potential self-destruction."
18:22 Russian drone kills Ukrainian Supreme Court judgeA judge of the Ukrainian Supreme Court, Leonid Lobojko, lost his life in a Russian drone attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The 61-year-old was killed when a drone struck his private vehicle in a suburb, according to the regional military administrator Oleh Synyehubov. Three women in the car were injured severely. Lobojko was in the region to distribute humanitarian aid.
17:28 Ukraine: Russia plans attacks in Saporizhzhia regionUkrainian reports suggest that Russian troops are planning offensive operations in the southern region of Saporizhzhia. According to national television, the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Southern Command, Vladyslav Voloshyn, has stated that Moscow is amassing personnel near the occupied village of Pryjutne, in particular. Voloshyn also mentioned that Russian troops in the area have received 25 light buggies, which can be used for small infantry group attacks.
16:36 Kyiv reports killing of Russian drone center chief near MoscowThe Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR announced the death of Russian Colonel Alexei Kolomeitsev in the city of Kolomna in Moscow's region. According to HUR, Kolomeitsev, who was the head of the 924th State Center (Military Unit No. 20924) for unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Ministry of Defense, had been involved in war crimes against Ukraine.
15:50 Baltic Nations and Poland Seek EU Funding for Border DefenseThe NATO countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are seeking EU funds for fortifying their borders with Russia and Belarus. According to Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the need for a defense line comes from the current security situation. This initiative aligns with NATO's new defense strategy. As Pevkur stated, close cooperation with Poland is crucial. In January, the Baltic nations announced the "Baltic Defense Line" project, while Poland unveiled their "Eastern Shield" project in May.
15:12 Russia Threatens Legal Action over Nord Stream SabotageRussia has disclosed its intentions to sue Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland based on international agreements against terrorism. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson claims that if the sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines isn't resolved in this phase, the matter will be brought before the International Court of Justice. The spokesperson added that Russia isn't going to let the West off the hook if they try to overlook this issue.
14:26 NATO Chief: Kursk Offensive Causes Putin a ProblemNATO Military Committee Chairman, Admiral Robert Bauer, believes the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk poses a strategic challenge for Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin. According to Bauer, Ukraine's presence on Russian soil represents a strategic problem. This offensive also brings operational challenges due to the logistics lines running through Kursk. Kyiv's actions create a strategic dilemma for Moscow, as explained by Bauer.
13:44 Sumy Death Toll Rises to Nine After Double Drone StrikeNine individuals have lost their lives in a double drone attack in Sumy, according to Ukrainian sources. The current number of injured stands at eleven, with 113 patients being evacuated from the struck hospital. Earlier in the day, a person was killed, and a clinic's ceiling was damaged in a Russian attack. The removal of patients and staff from the facility, as well as the arrival of emergency services and police, followed. Russian forces launched another air attack at the same time. Ukrainian President Zelensky reacted when there were still eight fatalities.
12:56 U.S. Examines Zelensky's "Victory Plan"U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is analyzing the Ukrainian "win plan" presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to President Joe Biden. Among other aspects, Zelenskyy sought Biden's approval for utilizing western weapons for strikes against Russian military targets. Blinken now explains that the government and Ukraine's partners are reviewing this plan's specifics, and additional measures might be implemented to support Ukraine's victory. The Secretary of State encourages a harder stance during the Ukraine conflict, although it has yet to be implemented by the President.
12:25 British Ministry of Defense: 2013 Healthcare Attacks in UkraineSince Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the British Ministry of Defense has reported 2013 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities. Staff members were attacked 235 times. Just last month, Russian forces bombed a children's hospital in Kyiv. These attacks on the medical system have resulted in 176 fatalities.
11:48 Four Die in Russian Attack on Police HQ in Kryvyi RihFollowing a Russian attack on the police headquarters in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, the death toll has risen to four. A police officer remains trapped under the rubble, and the search for survivors is ongoing, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior. This is the second attack on Ukrainian police in two days.
10:58 Military Expert: Kursk Counterattack Making ProgressAccording to Australian military analyst Mick Ryan, the Russian counterattack in Kursk has experienced some progress. Following Ukraine's September invasion of the Russian region of Kursk and subsequent occupation of terrain, the Russians have been mounting resistance. However, the advance is slow, according to Ryan. The Ukrainian advance to the Russian counterattack's west could have threatened the Russians' flank, isolating hundreds of their troops, as suggested by Ryan, who cites information from the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
10:30 Ukrainian Air Force: 69 Drone Attacks RepelledThe Ukrainian air force reports that the Russian army launched 73 combat drones and 4 missiles against Ukraine last night. Ukraine managed to intercept 69 drones and 2 missiles. The casualty toll from a Russian drone attack on a Sumy Oblast hospital has risen to 7.
09:39 ISW: A Few Successful Long-range Attacks by Ukraine Could Shift War's DynamicsExperts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that a few effective long-range attacks by Ukraine could potentially alter the direction of the conflict. The ISW acknowledges that Russian authorities seem to be actively trying to sway Western opinion on whether Ukraine should utilize Western weapons for long-range strikes on Russian military installations. They express apprehension that such attacks could applied significant operational pressure on the Russian offensive. The U.S. continues to decline permitting Ukraine to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory.
09:18 Ukrainian Military Reports 1470 Russian Casualties in the Last 24 HoursAccording to the Ukrainian general staff, the Russian military suffered another 1470 casualties, including fatalities and injuries, within the past 24 hours. This brings the total to 650,640 losses since the full-scale invasion commenced two and a half years ago. Within the same period, the Russians also lost 42 armored combat vehicles, 14 tanks, 62 drones, and 55 artillery systems.
08:57 Russian Forces Target Hospital in Sumy, Killing SixRussian forces reportedly assaulted a hospital in Sumy, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, as reported by the Sumy Oblast's military administration. The attack was carried out using Shahed drones, followed by additional drone strikes on a residential area and the hospital itself. This occurred while rescue services were evacuating patients and staff. Furthermore, the air force reported Russian-dropped guided bombs on the Sumy Oblast.
08:21 Goldschmidt Warns of Pollution Risks from Russian Oil Exports via the Baltic SeaFollowing Greenpeace's accusations of Russian oil exports on the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein's environment minister Tobias Goldschmidt voiced concerns over the dangers posed to the Baltic coast by tankers. He decried the Russian regime's circumvention of the oil embargo, enacted due to its war of aggression against Ukraine. Numerous Western nations accuse Russia of employing questionable vessels to circumvent EU sanctions related to the war of aggression. Goldschmidt expressed worry over the increasing risk of an oil spill. Should one occur, most of the oil would likely end up on German shores, from Fehmarn to Eckernförde.
07:52 Ukrainian Defenders Stave Off Russian Advance in PokrovskUkrainian and Russian forces remain locked in intense clashes in eastern Ukraine. The region surrounding Pokrovsk has been a notable battleground, with Russian troops attempting to take control for months. Yesterday, 19 Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses were repelled, as reported by the Kyiv general staff. "Ukrainian defenders are holding strong," they stated. Russian troops are striving to approach the city from various angles and counteract Ukrainian counterattacks. Heavier skirmishing also continued in the Kurachove region. Ukrainian reports indicate that 17 Russian assaults were repelled during the day. Verification of combat incident details remains inconclusive.
07:41 Zelensky Views US Visit as Successful,misses approval for extensive use of Western weaponsWhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not receive authorization to extensively employ Western weapons during his US visit, he still perceived the trip as positive. "Each conversation developed as anticipated," he stated in an X platform video address. He presented Ukraine's peace plan in America. "Now we must work on implementing each step and every decision," he added. In Washington, Zelensky met with US President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump, seeking continued US support against Russian aggression.
06:56 Qatar Actively Negotiating for the Return of Abducted ChildrenOut of the thousands of children abducted by Russia during the conflict, nine have recently been rescued, as per Ukrainian reports (see entry from 02:18). Many of these children had lost one or both parents due to the war and were placed with their grandparents, explained Dmytro Lubinez, Ukraine's Ombudsman for Human Rights. Authorities in Qatar are currently in discussions to recover more children. They have more than 750 children for whom the necessary documents have been prepared, as indicated by Lubinez. As per Ukrainian authorities, over 20,000 children have been illegally taken to Russia since the beginning of the war, with merely a few hundred having been returned home so far.
06:27 Blinken Accuses China of Supporting Russian Arms IndustryUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed his concerns to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding China's support for Russia's arms industry. "If China claims it wants peace and an end to the conflict, but simultaneously allows its businesses to enable Putin to continue his aggression, there's a contradiction," Blinken stated during a press conference. Wang said China's stance on the Ukraine war has always emphasized the need for dialogue-led peace, based on a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.
05:31 Ukrainian Forces Allegedly Kill Two Russian Soldiers with Drone Strike on Jet SkiUkrainian forces claim to have eliminated two Russian soldiers with the aid of a drone while on a jet ski in the Dnipro River, according to Defense Express and activist Serhiy Sternenko's shared video.
04:10 Mediazona: Over 71,000 Russian soldiers reportedly dead in UkraineBased on data from the autonomous Russian news platform Mediazona, approximately 71,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have perished in Ukraine. Since mid-September, around 2,000 more soldiers have reportedly died in the ongoing conflict, according to their information. Mediazona highlights that the actual casualty count might be even higher, as their verified data is sourced from various public sources such as obituaries, posts from family members on social media, regional media outlets, and notifications from local authorities.
02:18 Nine abducted Ukrainian children returned to their homelandNine Ukrainian children, who were taken to Russia during the conflict, have been safely transported back to their home country. They returned to Ukraine on Friday with the help of Qatar, which served as a go-between, as reported by Dmitro Lubinez, the Ukrainian Ombudsman. Lubinez reported on Telegram that the children range in age from 13 to 17, and a 20-year-old man was also involved. The children's return was made possible through a collaborative action plan and the mediation of Qatar. The report could not be independently verified initially, but the children had been separated from their families or guardians by the occupying forces, as per Lubinez's further details.
00:31 Lukashenko: "Attack on Belarus could spark World War III"
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused NATO of harboring attack plans against his country and threatened to use nuclear weapons in retaliation. "An attack on Belarus would ignite World War III," Lukashenko declared, citing a report from the Belarusian state news agency Belta. Both Belarus and its ally Russia would use nuclear weapons in such a scenario. Lukashenko also expressed gratitude to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for Russia's recent changes in its nuclear policy. In his speech, Lukashenko claimed that NATO has concrete attack plans against Belarus and claimed that "Americans and Poles have already positioned themselves along the border." Lukashenko worried that the Polish leadership is actively preparing for conflict. Although Belarus is not a nuclear power itself, tactical nuclear weapons from Russia have been stored on its territory since late 2021.
23:10 Former US commander Hodges and others urge decisive action against Russia from President Biden
Several former military leaders and experts in the United States have urged President Joe Biden to take robust measures to end the conflict in favor of Ukraine and to counter a potential threat from China. Among them are former commander of US forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, and former NATO deputy commander, German Army Lieutenant General Gert-Johannes Hagemann. They have recommended actions against Russia, as well as reconsidering the use of Western weapons to strike "military and logistical targets" on Russian soil. They also advocate for the delivery of 300 Abrams tanks and 1000 Stryker armored vehicles to Ukraine, and a comprehensive arms embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, they propose expanding NATO beyond its transatlantic borders to include Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and "any other democratic nations that express their desire to join."
22:15 Russian intelligence investigates international journalists over Kursk
Russian domestic intelligence agency FSB is probing three foreign journalists over their reporting from the Ukrainian-occupied areas in the Russian border region of Kursk. The accused journalists, Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from Australian broadcaster ABC News, and Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, are facing charges of crossing the Russian border illegally. The penalty for this offense is up to five years in prison. None of the journalists are currently in Russia, according to reports. Some international media outlets, such as German Deutsche Welle, US CNN, and Italian Rai, have been reporting from the Ukrainian-occupied areas in Kursk.
21:35 White House disagrees with GOP allegations against ZelenskyThe White House has rebuked Republican criticisms in Congress accusations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky illegally interfered in the US election by visiting a weapons factory. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed the accusation as a "political stunt" and urged the Republicans to "drop it." The Ukrainian delegation had requested the visit, which was facilitated by the Defense Department by providing transport. "This is standard procedure," Jean-Pierre remarked. Zelensky also visited the production site in Pennsylvania during his trip to the US, where 155mm artillery shells urgently needed by Ukraine are manufactured. Several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, were present during the visit. Subsequently, Republican lawmakers initiated an investigation and the Speaker of the House demanded that Zelensky "dismiss" the Ukrainian ambassador to the US in a letter.
21:09 International Community Warns Against Russian Nuclear Strike Threat countries like China and Brazil, among others, are voicing their opposition to the potential use or threat of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. A collective statement is issued, emphasizing the need to "avoid the employment or threat of employment of nuclear weapons and other tools of mass destruction, encompassing chemical and biological weapons." The joint declaration expresses "significant concern" over the possibility of "escalation" in Ukraine, urging that "civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities for peace and other energy installations, should be spared from military actions." The call for caution is prompted by recent statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He suggested that Russia might resort to nuclear weapons if confronted with substantial air assaults on Russian soil and could perceive any supporting attack as a collective act of aggression. Moreover, Ukrainian President Zelensky alleges Russian plans for attacking Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
You can learn about previous events
The President of the Council from the Ukrainian President's office, Serhiy Nykyforov, mentioned that the U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed to discuss and make decisions regarding President Volodymyr Zelensky's "victory plan" during the October 12 meeting of the Ramstein Contact Group in Germany.
In his meeting with U.S. Republican Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that if Trump wins the upcoming election, he will support Ukraine, as conveyed by Zelensky himself.
