Russian Air Strike on Kharkiv Injures Many Civilians in Ukraine
Official sources document an uptick in casualties from the Russian assault on a residential complex in Kharkiv.
An air strike by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in the country's northeast has left numerous civilians injured, as per official reports. According to a post by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel, a residential high-rise building has been damaged. Mayor Ihor Terechov reported 33 injured, including several children. Earlier, 28 injuries were reported (see entry from 15:25). Emergency teams were still working in the afternoon to extinguish the fire that broke out between the ninth and twelfth floors after the bomb impact and also searching for more victims in the rubble.
Kharkiv, which had a population of over one million prior to the invasion ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, was one of the most heavily shelled cities in Ukraine. Russian troops have frequently attacked Kharkiv with artillery and rockets, and most recently with guided bombs, released from planes while still over Russian territory.
Ukrainian Air Force Destroys Russian Barracks in Kursk Attack
The Ukrainian Air Force has reportedly destroyed a barracks building used by the Russian military in the western Russian region of Kursk. The attack was announced by the Kharkiv Group, which is close to the Ukrainian military, along with a video that appears to have been recorded by a drone. The exact location of the building was not disclosed, and there were no initial reports of casualties. The attack is said to be in response to the Russian attack on a military school in Poltava. "Send us more conscripts and paratroopers, we'll take care of you," the message reads. There has been no response from the Russian side. The Ukrainian account cannot be independently verified. In the Russian attack on a building in Poltava, which was reportedly housing a communications school, 53 people died, and 298 were injured. Ukraine launched an offensive against the western Russian region of Kursk in early August. The military claims to have brought around 1300 square kilometers of Russian territory under its control.
British Foreign Secretary Disregards Putin's Threats as "Bluster"
Against the backdrop of the debate over easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has dismissed the threats of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There's a lot of noise. That's his way. He threatens with tanks, he threatens with missiles, he threatens with nuclear weapons," Lammy told BBC. Despite Putin's threats, "we must not be deterred from our path," Lammy said, describing the Russian president as an "imperialist fascist." When asked if Putin is lying when he threatens a nuclear war, Lammy said, "What Putin is doing is muddying the waters. That's just bluster."
Guided Bomb Attacks Kharkiv, Injuring Many
A guided bomb attack in Kharkiv, northeast Ukraine, has injured at least 28 people, including three children. "The impact caused a fire in a residential high-rise," explained Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram. Local infrastructure was also damaged (see also entries from 09:46 and 07:03).
Moscow Threatens Washington Over RT Sanctions
Moscow has strongly criticized US sanctions against the state-owned Russian TV channel RT and has threatened countermeasures. "The actions of the US government will not go unanswered," said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, according to the official website of the agency. Observers see this as a warning to American journalists still working in Russia. In March 2023, Russia arrested US reporter Evan Gershkovich on suspicion of spying. The Wall Street Journal correspondent was in detention for 16 months before being released in a prisoner exchange. Both Gershkovich and the newspaper have consistently denied the charges. Zakharova accuses the US of censorship and an attack on press freedom. With its action against the RT group, Washington has started "another wave of restrictions against Russian media and journalists," she claims.
Iran's President to Travel to Russia for BRICS Summit
Iran is expanding its cooperation with Russia and will participate in the BRICS summit. President Massoud Peschian will travel to Kazan on the Volga, according to the Iranian ambassador to Moscow, as reported by Russian media. Ambassador Kasem Jalali also announced a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin during the summit from October 22 to 24. An agreement on comprehensive cooperation is planned. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the Islamic Republic of supplying Russia with missiles for use in Ukraine. Tehran denies this.
New Foreign Minister in Kyiv Warns Against Putin's Threats
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha advises allies not to fall for Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats. He states that Putin's goal is to weaken support for Ukraine. "Instead, allies should strengthen it," Sybiha writes on X. "Putin's threats don't work." Sybiha points out that Putin has warned of dire consequences many times but has never followed through, such as when the West started supplying weapons to Ukraine, when Finland and Sweden joined NATO, and when Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets. "When confronted with strength, Putin retreats and finds ways to explain it to his people," the foreign minister says.
13:30 "German Taurus Stance: Stubbornly Refusing to Approve Weapons"The debate surrounding the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is escalating, but Chancellor Scholz stands firm in his decision not to authorize the weapon supply. This stubbornness is not welcomed in Ukraine, as reported by ntv journalist Kavita Sharma.
13:03 Governor: Tragedy in Odessa Suburbs
A tragic incident unfolded in the suburbs of Odessa, as a Russian rocket strike resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals. The victims were a couple, as confirmed by the regional governor. Another person was injured during the Saturday evening incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that an unlawful cluster munition was utilized in the attack. Ukrainian air forces report that two rockets hit the suburban area.
12:28 Ukrainian Victories on the Battlefield
The Ukrainian military proudly claims to have achieved several victories, including the destruction of a bridge constructed by Russian forces. The army's general staff does not specify the body of water the bridge was located on. They report that they successfully targeted six enemy concentrations using aerial assaults or artillery the previous day. Alongside the destroyed bridge, an artillery system was annihilated. Another crucial hit was recorded on a command and control center.
11:58 Women Stepping Up in Ukraine's Labor Market
As thousands of soldiers clash against Russian troops in Ukraine, a labor shortage arises, particularly within traditional male sectors. Women are increasingly filling these vacancies, and many are re-skilling to adapt. The ntv foreign report features some of these women in the southeast of the country and near Kiev.
11:25 Easing Weapons Restrictions for Ukraine Proposed
Wolfgang Ischinger, the former head of the Munich Security Conference, advocates for relaxing the restrictions on Western weapons use by Ukraine. "A clear and straightforward approach would be to promise Ukraine that they will solely employ the weapons systems we provide within the realm of international law," Ischinger told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". This would mean that hospitals could not be targeted, which the Russians have been doing consistently. Only military targets such as airports or launch bases could be attacked, even if they're on Russian territory to prevent glide bomb attacks, for example.
10:53 Prisoner Exchanges on the Rise
Following the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, there has been a significant increase in prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, observes experts. Since the offensive began on August 6, there have been three coordinated exchanges in which a total of 534 prisoners from both sides were released. In comparison, only three exchanges had taken place between January 1 and August 6, resulting in the freedom of 800 Ukrainians and 800 Russians. Ukrainian officials suggest that the Kursk offensive has strengthened Ukraine's negotiating power in deals with Russia, after the Kremlin previously had ignored Ukrainian attempts to secure a prisoner exchange.
10:16 Eastern Front Advancement by Russian Troops
Russian forces continue their advance on the eastern front in Ukraine, making moderate progress near Wuhledar and south of the logistics center Pokrovsk, according to the British Ministry of Defense. However, the Russians have not made any significant inroads in approaching Pokrovsk itself within the last week.
09:46 Ukraine Reports Drone and Missile Attacks
The Ukrainian air force reports that Russia launched 14 drone attacks the previous night, with air defenses intercepting 10 of them. One guided missile was also neutralized. In addition to this, Russia is reported to have discharged two ballistic missiles. No information is disclosed about their fate, casualties, or any damage resulting from the strikes. Officials in Kharkiv report fires due to Russian shelling and destruction of several properties within the city of Kharkiv.
09:10 Concern over Face Recognition Payment System Expansion
The expansion of a face recognition payment system in Russian metros is causing unease among human rights activists. The system, dubbed "Face Pay," has been in operation in Moscow for three years and is now being introduced in six additional cities, including Kazan. To pay with the system, passengers look into a camera-equipped device at the turnstile. Plans for implementing the system in all Russian metro lines next year are currently underway. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty highlights the potential risks, noting that authorities in Moscow have used street cameras to apprehend individuals involved in protests opposed to the government and journalists covering such events. Andrei Fedorkov, a lawyer collaborating with the banned Russian human rights organization Memorial to support political prisoners, fears that "Face Pay" could also be used for similar purposes and raises "major concerns," believing it could become an additional tool for monitoring and controlling citizens.
08:02 Russia Repels 29 Enemy Drones
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, its air defenses successfully intercepted 29 drones flying over several regions during the previous night. Most of the drones were downed over the Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine.
07:31 Stegner Justifies Attendance at Anti-Weapons Delivery ProtestSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner justifies his intended appearance at a protest where Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the Left Party, is also speaking. Stegner clarifies that he is not collaborating with anyone and will express his views as a social democrat in his speech. He acknowledges that other speakers have perspectives he doesn't share, and he does not endorse certain calls made at the event. "As long as fascists, antisemites, and racists are excluded, I advocate for freedom of speech." The "national peace demonstration" on October 3 in Berlin is organized by the initiative "Never Again War - Put Down Your Weapons." The initiative calls for negotiations for an immediate end to wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, and "no weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Israel, and the world." The initiative also criticizes the SPD-led government for "stockpiling weapons like never before." Criticism of the protest came from SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth: "Failing to label Russia and Hamas as warmongers is disgraceful." FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann wrote about Stegner's planned appearance: "This is how you damage your party and government."
07:03 Kharkiv Under Siege Again
Kharkiv is once again under attack, as per Ukrainian authorities. The regional governor reports that a medical facility building has been damaged, and a fire broke out at an educational institution after being struck by a rocket launcher. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Kharkiv, a city frequently targeted for shelling, is located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
06:29 Russian Forces in Kursk Region Increase
The Ukrainian counteroffensive appears to be tying up an increasing number of Russian troops. According to the Institute for the Study of War, the counteroffensive has forced the Russian military command to transfer units from Ukraine to the Kursk region and send fresh troops from Russia to Kursk instead of the Ukraine front line. Initially, 11,000 Russian soldiers were stationed in the Kursk region; estimates now range from 30,000 to 45,000 soldiers.
05:11 Ukraine Commences Production of 155-mm Artillery ShellsUkraine has initiated the production of 155-mm artillery shells, according to a government official's statement published in the Ukrainian paper "Kyiv Independent." Oleksandr Kamyshin, former Minister of Strategic Industries and current advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, reportedly claimed that defense materials production has doubled under his leadership and is expected to triple by the end of the year. "We're not stopping," he reportedly said.
03:04 Biden Aide: Biden to Focus on Ukraine in Remaining TermUS President Joe Biden plans to employ the remainder of his term to assist Ukraine in obtaining the strongest possible position in its conflict with Russia, according to a key advisor. Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor to the White House, stated at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv that Biden aims to position Ukraine to succeed in the next four months.
01:43 Report: Former UK Politicians Advocate Long-Range Missiles for UkraineFive former British defense ministers and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson are reportedly urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to allow Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles on Russian territory, even without US support, according to a Sunday Times report. They warn the current prime minister that "any further delay would embolden President Putin," the report states.
00:52 Intelligence Chief: North Korea poses Threat to Ukraine from Russia's AlliesFrom the Ukrainian intelligence perspective, North Korea poses the most significant threat among Russia's allies. "Of all these allies of Russia, North Korea is our biggest headache," Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanow mentioned at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv. North Korea's military support to Russia, including large quantities of ammunition, is "intensifying the conflict," he said in response to a question about the backing of Russia's allies such as Iran and China. Kyiv is keeping tabs on Pyongyang's weaponry shipments to Moscow, noticing their impact on the battlefield. "There's a direct link. They're delivering enormous quantities of ammunition, which is concerning," the Ukrainian intelligence chief added.
23:21 Ukraine: Russia may face Recruitment Issues by Mid-2025According to Ukraine, Russia may experience recruitment challenges by mid-2025. By summer 2025, the Russian government will be faced with a dilemma, says Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanow at a conference in Kyiv, "either to declare mobilization or somehow reduce the intensity of hostilities." This could ultimately shape Russia's outcome. No statement from the Moscow government is available at the moment.
22:20 Scholz: Russian Attack on Ukraine is "Stupid Beyond Belief"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labels Russian President Vladimir Putin's attacks on Ukraine as "stupidly foolish." He alleges that Putin is jeopardizing Russia's future by engaging in this conflict. "The war is just as senseless from a Russian perspective," he states in a citizen dialogue, acting as an SPD member of the German Bundestag in Brandenburg's Prenzlau. According to him, Putin is squandering hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers, inflicting heavy casualties and fatalities upon them, and ruining Russia's economic relations with numerous countries around the world. "Ukraine will emerge with a more powerful military than before," Scholz adds. Germany will continue to provider Ukraine with military aid to prevent its collapse and thwart a flagrant violation of rules in Europe from succeeding. "Putin is essentially handicapping his own country's future." A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia accepts that Ukraine is not a subordinate state.
22:01 Gains and Setbacks in the Battle for Kursk Reported
Ukrainian troops are clinching new territories in their advance into the western Russian region of Kursk, but they're simultaneously losing ground to Russian counterattacks. According to Deep State, the pro-government Ukrainian military channel, Ukrainian troops have snatched control over three additional settlements. In contrast, Russian attacks are forcing Ukrainian forces back around the village of Snagost, creating a visible breach in Ukrainian defenses on a map published by Deep State. These claims are as yet unsubstantiated. In early August, Ukrainian forces had penetrated into the Russian border region of Kursk, claiming ownership of approximately 1,300 square kilometers and around 100 settlements, including the town of Sudscha. Analysts estimate less substantial territorial gains. This week, Russian forces executed their first substantial attempt to expel Ukrainian troops.
21:41 US: Delays in Ukraine Aid Due to "Complex Logistics"
US aid delays to Ukraine are attributed to "complicated logistics," as per US officials. Jake Sullivan, national security advisor to the White House, states this during a video appearance at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv. "This is not an issue of political will," Sullivan explains. "Rather, it's an issue of complex logistics to deliver this support to the frontlines." Despite the challenges, the US is dedicated to "doing more and excelling" for Ukraine, Sullivan acknowledges. US President Joe Biden is determined to utilize his remaining time in office to position Ukraine favorably to emerge victorious, Sullivan declares. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
20:57 Scholz: Plans to Prosecute Nord Stream Pipeline Saboteurs in Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz characterizes the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines as a "criminal act" and vows to bring the perpetrators to justice in Germany. He announces this during a citizen dialogue as an SPD member of the German Bundestag in Brandenburg's Prenzlau. "Every single security agency and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office must investigate this matter without prejudice," Scholz says. "We will not sweep this under the rug. We aim to bring those responsible to trial in Germany, if we can apprehend them." Scholz dismisses speculation that the German government has abandoned Russian natural gas, stating that Russia had halted gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The subsequent price surge, price caps, and pursuit of alternative gas sources have cost Germany "over 100 billion euros." The pipeline explosions occurred only after Russia had ceased supplying Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. In August, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian citizen in connection with the sabotage act.
20:24 G7 Condemns Iranian Rocket Supplies to Russia
Rumors of Iran providing rockets to Russia have led the G7's leading democracies to strongly denounce this arms transfer. Iran continues to arm Russia in defiance of repeated international appeals to halt such deliveries, according to a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU's High Representative. Russia uses these Iranian weapons to target Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure. Recently, the UK and US reported that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran, a claim that Iran denies. "Iran must immediately halt any aid to Russia's unlawful and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and cease supplying ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology that pose a direct threat to the Ukrainian people and global and European security," the joint statement published by Italy's G7 presidency reads. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable backing of Russia's unlawful war in Ukraine, which only serves to undermine international security." Germany, France, and the UK have already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and the EU is considering harsher penalties. Read more here.
19:41 Putin Speaks on Importance of Information Freedom, Despite Critics' ImprisonmentRussian President Vladimir Putin talks about the significance of information freedom and reliability, despite his jailed critics finding it ironic. Addressing attendees of the Brics countries media summit in Moscow, Putin marks the 120th birthday of Russian news agency Tass. He claims that "as multiple poles emerge, it's crucial to safeguard information's authenticity." He believes that true freedom of speech, showcasing different viewpoints, can help find compromises and solve global issues. Putin emphasizes media's role in constructing a just global world order by offering a "clear and unbiased depiction of the world." For years, freedom of speech and independent media have been absent in Russia's authoritarian regime. Non-governmental media outlets have been banned and silenced, while political opponents face legal persecution. Russian news agency Tass started in 1904 under different names and titles, and is now the nation's biggest news provider, often serving as a government's spokesperson.
19:20 Scholz Stands Firm Against Taurus Missile Delivery to UkraineGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled out delivering long-range precision weapons to Ukraine in the future, even if alliance partners approve it. During a conversation with citizens in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Scholz affirmed his refusal to supply Taurus cruise missiles, whose range allows them to reach Moscow (approximately 500km), stating it would "pose a considerable escalation risk." Scholz expresses, "I said no to that. And this principle remains the same, regardless of other countries' decisions." He is also against providing weapons capable of such reach. Scholz reiterates, "I have maintained that stance, and it continues to apply." Germany's longest-range weapon delivered to Ukraine so far is the Mars II rocket launcher, capable of striking targets up to 84km away.
You can review previous events [here].
The Ukrainian Air Force's destruction of a Russian barracks in Kursk is a response to the Russian attack on a military school in Poltava. This comes as Russian troops have frequently attacked Kharkiv with artillery and rockets, leading to numerous injuries and damage. Despite these military operations, the debate continues over easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets.
