At 23:46, Ukraine reports: Russians execute additional prisoners of war - 93 military personnel put to death
Law Enforcers Have Genuine Information About Russian Troops Execrating Ukrainian POWs en Masse. As reported by Ukrinform, Yuri Belousov, chief of the war department at the General Prosecutor's Office, stated on national radio: "We've gotten intel on 93 of our soldiers who have been slaughtered on the battlefield," he said. Belousov underscored that around 80% of Ukrainian POWs have been butchered this year. The practice of exterminating them began as early as November 2023. "The attitude of Russian soldiers towards our POWs has soured," said Belousov.
22:14 Update: Preliminary Surrender of Kiev for NATO Membership? Despite aiming to reclaim territories seized by Russia over the past decade, Ukraine is lacking in personnel, weapons, and necessary support from the Western alliance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now mentions "significant decisions" being prepared with Washington and other countries for the Ramstein contact group meeting on October 12. According to "Financial Times", Ukraine's new strategy involves requesting military and diplomatic assistance from allies to bring Russia to the negotiation table. Western diplomats and progressively Ukrainian officials believe that substantial security assurances could serve as the foundation for a negotiated resolution, with Russia effectively, though not officially, maintaining control over parts of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies. Additionally, discussions revolve around the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO as part of this arrangement.**
21:23 Review: Russia Losing Three Times More Equipment, Ukraine Waits for Tank Deliveries Russia is losing, on an average, three times more equipment than Ukraine, and is "systematically depleting its stockpiles of inherited Soviet equipment, while its production, like Ukraine's, barely covers a fraction of what it loses," says Jakub Janowski, an analyst based in Prague who works for the Dutch open-source intelligence monitoring service Oryx. Compared to mobilization potential, workforce, and production capacities, the current situation favors Russia. However, Konrad Muzyka, a Polish analyst and director of Rochan Consulting, warns that time is on Russia's side. Janowski believes that despite Russia having more soldiers and greater firepower, it could still struggle if the West increases its support. Furthermore, some promised military equipment deliveries are still outstanding. According to Oryx, Kiev is still waiting for promised deliveries of at least 280 tanks, 480 armored personnel carriers, 1200 troop transporters, and 180 mobile artillery vehicles.
20:34 Announcement: Ukraine Claims Downing of Russian Bomber, Pictures Show Debris Ukrainian forces affirm to have brought down a Russian combat aircraft. The airplane was struck near Kostiantyniwka in the Donetsk province on Saturday, reported the head of the local military administration. Photographs depict charred remains of an aircraft that crashed into a house, setting it ablaze.
19:54 Opinion: "Impossible for Ukraine to Equal Russia in Manpower" To gain an advantage over Russia on the battlefield, Ukraine must adopt "unconventional" strategies, says Dmytro Schmajlo, co-founder and managing director of the Kyiv-based think tank "Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center". This includes long-range attacks. With such artillery and missile strikes, Ukraine could have crippled logistics routes and bases for months during the autumn 2022 counteroffensive, forcing Russian troops out of regions like Kherson and Kharkiv. "It's unrealistic for Ukraine to match Russia in manpower," says Schmajlo. Therefore, the focus should be on hindering enemy logistics and focusing on striking the "core" of the military-industrial complex. At present, Ukraine is using its self-developed long-range drones to target deep inside Russia.**
19:20 Statement: "Unfeasible for Ukraine to Match Russia in Manpower" Röttgen lowers expectations for a swift peace. "Diplomacy has a chance only if Putin understands that he can't win through war," he tells "Der Spiegel": "The West is doing too little to help reach that point," he criticizes. "The solution will be political. But it has a military prerequisite: It does not involve retaking all Ukrainian territories. Instead, it consists of Ukraine gaining the upper hand on the battlefield until Putin realizes: There is nothing more to gain by war." To accomplish this, Ukraine requires constant and effective international assistance.
18:36 Ukraine: Over Half a Million Explosives DisarmedUkrainian disarmament teams have successfully dismantled and rendered harmless over 533,200 explosive devices since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, as per a report from the emergency services. They have cleared 148,858 hectares of land of mines and 4,018 aerial bombs. In the last 24 hours, the emergency service units addressed 173 incidents and neutralized and disposed of 293 explosive devices, including two aerial bombs. The most affected areas were Kharkiv (35,815 times), Kherson (16,560 times), Donetsk (14,826 times), Kyiv (11,393 times), Mykolaiv (9,360 times), Chernihiv (6,948 times), and Sumy (4,425 times). Ukraine leads the world in mine-affected countries. Over the past two years, Ukrainian military experts have cleared 30,000 square kilometers of mines - an area the size of Belgium or Moldova. Since 2022, approximately 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory have become contaminated with explosives.
17:54 Former NATO Chief Stoltenberg Suggests Early Ukraine Membership Despite Russian OccupationPresently, the public stance is that Ukraine should become a member of NATO in the future, but only following the conclusion of the war against Russia. Ukraine desires to regain control of its entire territory to achieve this goal. More recently, former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg proposed a potential avenue for Kyiv to join earlier. The NATO-recognized territory does not necessarily need to align with the internationally recognized border. "You need a line that triggers Article 5 activation, and Ukraine must control all territory up to that border." Article 5 signifies the mutual defense commitment that obligates other members to militarily protect the member. West Germany considered East Germany as part of a larger Germany, Stoltenberg explained. "But NATO only protected West Germany." Additionally, the US provides security assurances to Japan, not for the Kuril Islands, which Japan regards as its own territory but is controlled by Russia. Ukraine submitted its NATO membership application in 2022. Presently, roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control.
17:19 CDU Politician Röttgen Criticizes Scholz's "Fear Mongering"CDU foreign policy specialist Norbert Röttgen accuses Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz of prompting societal reluctance to continue supporting Ukraine with weapons through his "fear mongering." Röttgen expressed these views during an interview with "Der Spiegel." The Chancellor's fear-based rejections of supportive measures are to blame, according to Röttgen. "Olaf Scholz consistently refuses to employ measures in support of Ukraine as too risky, implying that Ukraine's self-defense is the escalation rather than the Russian attack." Conveying the war promoter's rhetoric and delivering it to the Germans with the Chancellor's authority is an irresponsible act, Röttgen admonishes. "A Chancellor should not be driven by fear. He should not let fear govern his political actions."
16:44 Ukraine Anticipates Major City of Saporischschja AssaultAs per the Ukrainian military leadership, Russian forces are preparing for an imminent attack towards the significant city of Saporischschja. With this attack, among other objectives, supply routes to the eastern defense sectors around Donbass are expected to be disrupted. Military representative Vladislav Voloshin shares concerns over the situation, stating, "The conditions are challenging, as evidenced by the ongoing counter-battery war, along with the shelling of our positions and assaults on our lines." The counter-battery war is the artillery fire targeting identified enemy positions. Additionally, there are heavy air and missile attacks on this front section near Saporischschja: "The situation remains unstable." In the Saporischschja region, Russian troops have occupied the southern portion of the area, including the Saporischschja nuclear power plant, but not the major city itself.
16:17 Reports: Russia Loses Stealth Drone in Ukraine AirspaceAccording to reports, Moscow's military forces have lost a stealth drone in Ukrainian airspace. Various pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels have shared intelligence suggesting that the unmanned combat aircraft, an S-70 Okhotnik, crashed in the Donetsk region. A Ukrainian air force member claimed that the S-70 launched cluster bombs towards Ukrainian positions before being downed by Russian friendly fire to prevent its capture by Ukrainian forces. This stealth drone has a payload capacity of up to 2000 kilograms and is anticipated to enter mass production later this year, as per Russian sources.
15:44 Report: Half of Russia's Artillery Munitions Provided by North KoreaAccording to a report published by "The Times" and backed by Western intelligence services, North Korea supplies roughly half of the artillery shells used by Russia in Ukraine. Pyongyang is said to provide around 3 million shells annually to Moscow, and even though many of these shells are believed to be defective, they have played a crucial role in Russia's progress in eastern Ukraine, including the recent capture of Wuhledar in the Donetsk region. As Russia's ammunition reserves diminish due to heavy use in Ukraine, North Korea has become Moscow's primary external arms supplier. In August, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea received technology from Russia to facilitate the use of spy satellites, tanks, and aircraft in exchange for artillery shells. In June, the two nations signed a military defense pact.
15:16 Russia Employs Unidentified Drones Against UkraineAs reported by "Kyiv Independent," former air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat mentions that alongside Shahed drones, Russia is increasingly utilizing unidentified drone models in attacks against Ukraine. Ihnat failed to specify the type of drones utilized by Russia. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its drone assaults, launching daily attacks on cities and towns in Ukraine since September. This trend has been consistent into October.
14:51 Kara-Mursa Honored: "Struggle Between Right and Wrong"Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Mursa and his wife Yevgeniya are set to receive the human rights award from the Bruno Kreisky Foundation in Vienna. They advocate for the liberation of fellow dissidents detained in Russia. The release of detainees like Moscow district council member Alexey Gorinov and Siberian journalist Maria Ponomarenko is a matter of life and death for them. Both are serving lengthy prison sentences for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Kara-Mursa was formerly imprisoned in Russia himself and was released in August as part of a prisoner exchange. Yevgeniya Kara-Mursa urges Western politicians to take a stronger stance: "When there is a genuine battle between right and wrong, dictators unite, and the survival of democracy depends on it, you cannot remain neutral," she says.
14:23 Concerns About Long-Range Missiles? Russia Moving Personnel and EquipmentA partisan group known as Atesh, active in Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine, reports the relocation of military equipment and personnel to secure locations in Mariupol. According to Atesh, Russian military commanders are concerned about the safety of their troops due to the threat posed by Ukrainian army's long-range missiles and have no choice but to change positions.
13:45 "Herculean Efforts" - Ukraine Attempts to Regain Gas PlatformsThe Ukrainian border guard, in collaboration with military intelligence, has released a video showing operations to reclaim gas platforms near the Snake Island in the Black Sea. The operation aims to regain control of strategically important facilities that serve as naval fortresses and secure a significant portion of the water area, strengthening Ukraine's defenses.
13:18 Russian Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for 72-Year-Old AmericanRussian prosecutors seek a seven-year prison sentence for a 72-year-old American citizen accused of aiding Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. He will serve his sentence in a penal colony for violent offenders, Russian news agency Interfax reports, citing the prosecutors' plea. The trial is being held in secret. Reports suggest the Michigan native had been living in Ukraine since 2014 and joined a territorial defense battalion in Izium after Russia's invasion. Izium was captured by Russian forces soon after the war began, and the American was apprehended in April 2022 during the conflict.
12:50 Renowned Russian Propaganda Channel on X No Longer ActiveOne of the most prominent Russian propaganda channels, Rybar, is no longer available on the X platform. The channel with over 1.3 million subscribers announced its suspension via Telegram, quoting Elon Musk as the reason for their removal. The reasons for this action remain unclear. Rybar positions itself as the "most frequently cited Russian Telegram channel in foreign media" and deals with military analysis, information warfare, and visual propaganda.
12:03 Russian Combat Aircraft Possibly Shot DownIt is rumored that Ukraine may have downed another Russian combat aircraft, based on circulating social media videos and reports from Eastern European medium Nexta. There has been no official confirmation yet. The aircraft was alleged to have been shot down over Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko has suggested that the incident may have been friendly fire, caused by Russian forces themselves.
11:44 Russian Troops Reportedly Capture Village in Eastern UkraineRussian forces are said to have taken control of the village of Schelanne Druhe in eastern Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and TASS, a Russian state-owned news agency. The village is located in the Donetsk region, which is partially under Russian control. Reports on the conflict's progress cannot be independently verified.
11:32 Merz: A German-French-British-Polish Contact Group to Shape European Post-War OrderUnion's chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz proposes a contact group comprising Germany, France, the UK, and Poland to examine the foundations for a European post-war order following the Ukraine conflict. "Two essential conditions for cooperation and proposing a post-war order are indispensable: proposals for a peace plan must never be proposed by Germany alone, but rather in close coordination with these European partners," the CDU chairman writes in a circular email. "As well, one must avoid creating the impression among the Eastern and Central European states, particularly Ukraine, that the political map of Europe is being redrawn over their heads," says Merz. According to him, these four countries, when united with the USA, possess sufficient political, economic, and military power to influence the creation of Europe's post-war political system.
11:15 Ukraine Sets Out Victory Strategy for Upcoming Ramstein MeetingNext week, the 25th Ramstein meeting will occur, marking the first time at the level of heads of state and government. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy plans to introduce his "victory plan," comprising "clear, tangible steps towards a fair conclusion to the war." A related video hints at Kyiv's reliance: arms deliveries from partners, ensuring Russia agrees to peace through "strength." The clip emphasizes fighter jets, tanks, and artillery repeatedly. "We require significant long-range capabilities and strengthening of our frontline positions," it asserts. Furthermore, aerial footage of presumably destroyed Russian ammunition depots can be seen. Their annihilation serves as an essential means of limiting Russia's capacity to sustain its aggressive war. However, ammunition depots often lie far behind the frontline and are well-protected, necessitating long-range weapons with high explosive power.
10:42 "Deteriorates Economic Independence" - Chinese Companies Expand in RussiaEx-President of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, suggests on X that China is intensifying its influence on Russia's economy. A remarkable 34% of new companies this year have Chinese ownership, compared to 13% in 2021. "Monthly registrations have increased to 200, with wholesale accounting for 26% of turnover," Shevchenko notes. "China's companies' dominance in crucial sectors such as car sales weakens Russia's economic independence," he adds.
10:08 "Imprudent" - Kretschmer, Woidke, and Voigt's Appeal Sparks ControversyGerman Bundestag's European Affairs Committee Chairman, Anton Hofreiter, criticizes the appeal by Saxony and Brandenburg Ministers, Michael Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke, as well as CDU lead in Thuringia, Mario Voigt, as "imprudent" for advocating more diplomatic engagement in the Ukraine war. "It diminishes support for Ukraine – at least in the public perception. And it motivates Putin to continue the war," Hofreiter said to German editorial network. Critics accuse the leaders of appealing to the BSW to eventually form coalitions in the three eastern German states. Kretschmer, Woidke, and Voigt had advocated for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urged the federal government to engage Russia in talks, despite Moscow presenting demands that amount to an ultimatum for Ukraine and insisting on retaining all war objectives.
09:31 Left-wing Member Regrets Participation in "Peace Protest" in BerlinUkraine's violent Russian invasion, with its countless casualties, has divided left-wing circles politically. Russia's guilt is regularly downplayed or denounced, and Ukraine's submission to the Russian invaders is sometimes accepted. Left-wing member Max S. from Saxony-Anhalt expresses regret in a Facebook post for participating in the recent "peace rally" in Berlin. He criticizes the booing and jeering when SPD politician Ralf Stegner spoke of an attack, and is shocked by "warmonger" calls from BSW members. "Ukraine has a right to self-defense," he says. "People who name the aggressor should not be booed at a 'peace movement'." He writes that he will not partake in such a "peace protest" again.
08:49 Previous NATO Chief Stoltenberg Admits Weapons ShortcomingsFormer NATO Chief, Jens Stoltenberg, admits that Ukraine was not properly armed. In a "Financial Times" interview, he confesses: "I believe we all must acknowledge that Ukraine should have been offered more weapons before the invasion, and more advanced weapons after the invasion. I assume responsibility for that." Stoltenberg also revealed a significant debate prior to the Russian assault in February 2022 regarding whether to provide weapons to Kyiv. Most allies opposed it at the time - "they were greatly concerned about the consequences."
08:07 Ukraine Attacks Russian Region of Voronezh with DronesAccording to the Voronezh region governor, Alexander Gusev, Ukrainian drone attacks occurred during the night. Several enterprises were allegedly targeted, producing civilian goods. One individual was injured, and a fire ensued, Gusev said. Burns can be seen in unverified social media videos. Russian authorities traditionally minimize the effects of Ukrainian attacks.
07:31 Russian Defense Ministry Publishes Odd Drone Evasion Training VideoThe Russian Defense Ministry has disclosed a video depicting Russian soldiers practicing to evade drone attacks. Drones pose a significant threat on the battlefield. The most effective defense against them is electrical jammers. When this method fails or proves inadequate, there are few efficient ways to defend against them. Killing a drone using a conventional infantry weapon is highly challenging; shotguns are the most suitable. In the Russian video, a soldier is seen rolling on the ground to dodge an attack. Another soldier hurls his rifle high into the air and manages to hit a drone with it. Similarn scenes have been observed in multiple videos from the front, where drones usually explode.
06:45 Open Source Intelligence Specialist Reveals Extreme Casualty Rates of Russian Troops near PokrovskThe brutal tactics employed by Russia in its war, highlighted by forced mass assaults, are evident in the information provided by an open source intelligence expert from the Oryx project. According to this data, Russian forces have suffered catastrophic losses in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, the current war focal point, far surpassing those of Ukraine. Over the past year, the reported count of destroyed, abandoned, damaged, and captured Russian tanks stands at 539, contrasted with only 92 Ukrainian tanks. Typically, an attacker needs a threefold superiority to succeed against defenders. The discrepancies are likewise substantial in terms of armored combat vehicles like armored personnel carriers, with 1020 Russian vehicles against 138 Ukrainian ones. Former U.S. marine Robert Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute labels these losses as "remarkable." These open source intelligence experts mainly gather data from publicly accessible images and video footage found on online sources. The actual losses are likely to be higher.
06:06 Discussion over Conscripting 18- to 25-Year-Olds: Former Commander Saluschnyj disagreesThe former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valeriy Saluschnyj, advocates against lowering the mobilization age according to UNIAN news agency, quoting Bukvy. He believes that the age group of 18 to 25-year-olds should be shielded as much as possible. During his tenure as commander-in-chief, he would protest against mobilization age exemptions for those under 25, considering the future importance of young Ukrainians for the nation in 20 and 30 years. New proposals in Ukraine to lower the mobilization age have raised concerns for him.
05:29 Second Try: Ukrainian Volunteer Legion to See Polish TrainingDeputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski revealed on Friday that the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin has commenced recruiting Ukrainian refugees residing in Poland to undergo training by the Polish military. According to Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland was prepared to initiate the training in September but lack of voluntary participants caused a delay. "At the time, not enough volunteers showed interest. As far as I know, Ukraine has now implemented measures to promote and assist in this process, which means we can expect results," Kosiniak-Kamysz stated to local news outlet Wnp.pl. The Ukrainian Legion, introduced as a voluntary military group consisting of Ukrainian males residing in Poland and trained by the Polish military, was established in July.
04:00 Stoltenberg Regrets NATO's Delay in Aiding Ukraine with WeaponsIn an interview with the "Financial Times," former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged his primary regret during his tenure as alliance head: the delayed provision of weapons to Ukraine. He believes that providing Ukraine with more military support earlier could have significantly bolstered the country's defense. "If there's one thing I regret, in a way, and now see much more clearly, it's that we should have given Ukraine much more military support much earlier," Stoltenberg admitted. He expressed regret over the concerns and hesitation that prevented the provision of lethal weapons earlier, even before the invasion. He concluded, "It would have been a significant advantage if we had begun earlier. It might even have prevented the invasion or at least made it much harder for them to do what they did."
02:01 Russian Elite Units Sustain Heavy Casualties in Wuhledar BattlesAccording to BBC News Russia, Russian elite units have suffered four times as many casualties in the year-long fighting near Wuhledar in the Donetsk region as they did during the 10-year span of the Second Chechen War. The Kyiv forces announced their withdrawal from the strategic settlement in the Donetsk region after Russian troops breached the city's outer defenses and entered Wuhledar itself. The Russian military's elite 155th and 40th brigades, also known as the "Black Berets," participated in the city's assault. BBC reports that at least 211 marines from the 155th Brigade were killed, with 42 still missing. This far exceeds the unit's casualties during the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). BBC journalists also documented the demise of 72 soldiers from the 40th Brigade in Wuhledar.
23:55 Belarusian Opposition Figures Sentenced for Sabotage Attack, up to 25 years in PrisonA Belarusian court has sentenced twelve opposition advocates who were accused of participating in a sabotage attack on a Russian military aircraft in February 2023. The court in Minsk handed down prison sentences ranging from two to 25 years for the defendants, who were either present in court or tried in absentia. Among the convicted was the suspected mastermind of the attack, Nikolai Swet, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He had left Belarus as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine in the summer. On February 2023, pro-Ukrainian activists claimed to have destroyed a Russian reconnaissance aircraft at Matschulischtschi airport near Minsk.
22:19 Update: Russia aims to enlist 225,000 temporary soldiers in a span of 3 yearsAs per unconfirmed reports from the Russian independent news site "Important Stories", the country's Defense Ministry intends to pull in at least 225,000 temporary soldiers in the coming three years. This is apparent from the draft financial plan for the time period 2025 to 2027. Allocated for annual contract enlistments are a whopping $335 million in one-time enrollment bonuses.
21:44 Romania: Russian drone debris found near NATO borderRomania revealed the finding of Russian drone debris within its territory. Discovered in the vicinity of the Litcov Canal close to the Ukrainian border, these fragments are being assessed by the Ministry of Defense, as revealed on a local X platform. A comparable incident occurred week prior, where a Russian drone was alleged to have penetrated Romanian airspace for mere minutes, according to the ministry's explanation. The drone was implicated in an assault on the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail. Strategically positioned on the Danube, Romania is situated on the opposite bank of the river.
21:10 Johnson: Putin might have diverged from attacking Ukraine under TrumpIn the perspective of ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, it's not simply a coincidence that Russia avoided Ukraine's invasion during Donald Trump's presidency. According to the "Telegraph", Johnson remarks, "One of the advantages of Trump is his sheer unpredictability." He speculates that Russia wouldn't have invaded Ukraine during Trump's tenure either. "From the Kremlin's viewpoint, there was a palpable risk that Trump might perceive an attack on a European nation as an affront to America and the world order, prompting robust action." According to the "Telegraph", Johnson highlights the mere uncertainty surrounding Trump's actions as a sufficient deterrent to discourage Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin from attacking a sovereign nation.
20:03 Mayor: Russians advance 7 km towards Pokrovsk
Mayor Serhii Dobriak reportedly stated on Ukrainian television that Russian troops are now only 7 kilometers from Pokrovsk, with their previous approach distance being within 10 kilometers. Bombardments were reported in the city, with two strikes targeted at the city center itself yesterday. Now, 80% of the city's crucial infrastructure is said to be either damaged or destroyed. "The enemy leaves us without electricity, water, and gas - this is their 'preparation' for winter." He estimates that over 13,000 individuals remain in Pokrovsk, comprising nearly 100 children who disregarded evacuation warnings. The city's pre-conflict population was 60,000.
Review all earlier developmentshere.
- The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the need for significant decisions with Western allies, implying potential negotiations to address the Ukrainian conflict.
- The ongoing Ukrainian conflict has seen Russia accused of executing Ukrainian prisoners of war in large numbers, as reported by Yuri Belousov, the chief of the war department at the General Prosecutor's Office.
