Russia intends to enlist 225,000 contract military personnel within a three-year span.
The Russian Defense Ministry allegedly intends to enlist at least 225,000 contract soldiers over the next three years, as claimed by the independent Russian online news source "Important Stories." This assertion is based on the proposed budget for the years 2025 to 2027, which allocates approximately $335 million annually for one-time payments upon contract signing.
21:44 Romania: Debris of Russian UAV Detected in NATO TerritoryNATO member Romania announces discovering fragments of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within its borders. The Ministry of Defense announced via Twitter that remains of a Russian UAV were located near the Litcov Canal bordering Ukraine and are presently under investigation. A week earlier, an incident occurred involving a Russian UAV that may have momentarily entered Romanian airspace, as per the Ministry's report. The UAV is suspected of playing a role in an assault on the Ukrainian city of Izmail. Izmail is strategically located on the Danube River, with Romania situated on the opposite side.
21:10 Johnson: If Trump Were in Office, Putin Wouldn't Have Started the ConflictFormer British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suspects that Russia did not invade Ukraine while Donald Trump was the U.S. President. "One of the perks of Trump is his inherent unpredictability," he communicated to the "Telegraph." Johnson asserts that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump was still in office. "The Kremlin would have been mindful of the possibility that Trump might perceive an attack on a European nation as an affront not just to America but to the global order, and respond forcefully," according to the "Telegraph." Johnson is of the opinion that Trump's unpredictability alone would have been sufficient to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from engaging in a war with a sovereign nation.
20:03 Mayor: Russians Approach PokrovskRussian troops seem to be edging closer to Pokrovsk, with Mayor Serhii Dobriak reporting that they are now 7 kilometers away from the city limits. In previous weeks, the distance was estimated to be less than 10 kilometers. The mayor reports bombings, with two attacks on the city center alone the previous day. He states that 80% of the city's essential infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. "The enemy has left us without electricity, water, and gas. This is a prelude to the winter." He estimates that over 13,000 people, including almost 100 children, are still in Pokrovsk despite evacuation warnings. The city's pre-war population was 60,000.
19:30 Zelensky Praises Soldiers in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits soldiers stationed in the Sumy border region, participating in the offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. A video shows him accompanying the Chief of the Army, Oleksandr Syrsky, in a subterranean bunker as he honors soldiers with awards. "In a prolonged war, it's not only about rallying one's own troops. It's essential to motivate the entire world and persuade them that Ukrainians can surpass the enemy," Zelensky informs the soldiers. Their efforts in Kursk have "significantly aided in boosting morale among those supporting us with weapons," Zelensky tells the soldiers. The offensive in Kursk has been ongoing for nearly two months. Kyiv has recently released limited information on the operation. Meanwhile, in the eastern Ukraine region of Donetsk, Russian forces have recently expanded their territory. Russia frequently announces the capture of towns, with the Ukrainian military recently withdrawing from Wuhledar.
18:53 Incident with Baerbock Affects Russian Journalist's UN Access
An incident at German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's press conference during the UN General Assembly in New York has repercussions for a journalist from Russian state media. "The relevant journalist's behavior violated the media access policies," explains the UN's accreditation department. Consequently, his access status has been downgraded. The journalist now needs to go through a security checkpoint and has restrictions on his access to UN headquarters. At the UN grounds, the journalist approached Baerbock as she was heading to a media event. Baerbock referred to an upcoming press conference. The reporter continued to follow her and eventually stood next to Baerbock as she prepared her statement. Baerbock then instructed the man to join the other media representatives so that the press event could begin. The Russian UN ambassador Nebensia demands that the decision be reversed. He claims the reporter did not harass Baerbock or act inappropriately. He describes an altercation with a German delegation member during the incident as an "assault" on the Russian journalist.
18:11 Putin Open to Dialogue with Biden
The Kremlin is open to discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. The Russian news agency TASS reports that Biden previously mentioned the possibility of conversing with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November in Brazil. However, he doubts Putin's attendance. TASS now cites Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as stating that there have been no exchanges on this topic between Moscow and Washington. "There have been no conversations on this topic, and there are no conditions present for that at the moment," Peskov declares. Peskov further states, "The president has consistently stated that he remains open to all interactions." Ever since the conflict began, it has been uncertain whether Putin will be present at each G20 summit. Brazilian President Lula has stated that it would be up to Brazilian justice to decide on the detainment of his Russian counterpart if he were to attend the summit.
17:26 Crimean Resident Given Severe Prison Term for Alleged "Betrayal"A court in Sevastopol, Crimea has sentenced a local resident to 14 years in a high-security labor camp for "betrayal." The 47-year-old is accused of sharing information about the positions and weaponry of the Russian military with the Ukrainian military, as claimed by the prosecutor's office. Since the beginning of the conflict, numerous individuals have been given prison sentences, punished, or threatened in Russia under similar allegations.
16:42 Medicial Commission Leader Accused of Money LaunderingThe head of a medical commission in Ukraine is under investigation for allegedly netting millions of euros by issuing disability certificates to healthy men. During raids at her residence and workplace in the city of Chmelnytskyi, police seized over 5 million euros in cash. Another 2 million euros were found in foreign bank accounts, according to the State Investigation Bureau. The 64-year-old woman is also reported to have acquired multiple properties and luxury cars. During the raids, investigators discovered lists of men who had obtained fake illness certificates. She could face up to 12 years in prison, according to various news sources. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv has accused 13 doctors of issuing disability certificates to over 400 men for around 2,200 euros each. Read more here.
16:12 Ukraine Claims to Have attacked Russian Oil Depot with DronesUkraine claims to have attacked an oil depot in the Russian region of Voronezh using drones. "The enemy's air defense was ineffective," as stated by sources within the Ukrainian SBU intelligence service. The depot, containing 20 tanks, was allegedly hit during a nighttime drone attack, causing a large fire. The governor of Voronezh claims a Ukrainian drone struck an empty tank at an oil depot, resulting in a small fire that was quickly extinguished. However, Russian emergency services report a large fire covering an area of 2,000 square meters in a warehouse in the Voronezh region.
16:00 Cherson Region Governor Reports Civilian DeathThe governor of the Cherson region reports a civilian casualty. A 75-year-old woman was reportedly killed when the Russian military attacked Cherson with a drone in the mid-afternoon.
15:49 Wagenknecht and Wadephul Support Eastern Politicians' Ukraine ContribtionWhile the joint Ukraine appeal by the ministers of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke, and the Thuringian CDU chairman Mario Voigt has been met with varying opinions, praise comes from BSW chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht. "A thoughtful and nuanced contribution" was their joint call, she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". The CDU's foreign policy expert, Johann Wadephul, also expressed support: "The proposal is responsible because it adheres to our principles: recognizing Russia's violation of international law, our strong commitment to the EU and NATO, and a peaceful resolution that aligns with the UN Charter." With this guest article, a "red line" has been drawn. "If it is crossed, there will be no cooperation with the BSW." Wadephul interprets the appeal as a "serious attempt to establish a bridge for possible coalition negotiations while maintaining one's principles." He applauds the fact that the three top politicians from CDU and SPD did this together as a "strong signal". Read more here.
15:30 Eastern Politicians' Ukraine Appeal Sparks Criticism: "Values are being sacrificed for the sake of power retention"CDU leader Friedrich Merz criticized the demands of leading eastern politicians for a more diplomatic approach to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "Ukraine is fighting for its very existence. We must continue to support it, as it is in our own interest. Peace talks will only be possible if both sides are ready," he told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". Criticism also came from the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Michael Roth. "If the letter from the three designated minister-presidents was intended as a softening for potential coalition negotiations with the BSW, I advise caution," the SPD politician said, referring to the alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht and recent state elections in Germany. FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told the "Rheinische Post": "It seems as if our country's liberal values are being traded for a little more power and election campaigns." The heads of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer of the CDU and Dietmar Woidke of the SPD, and the Thuringian CDU chairman Mario Voigt authored an op-ed in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urging the federal government to engage with Russia in negotiations. Read more here.
15:05 Autopsy Suggests Potential Cause of Death in "Spy Whale" Case
Animal rights advocates had hypothesized that a "spy whale" discovered in Norway might have been killed. However, an examination of the beluga whale revealed a different cause of death: a bacterial infection, which potentially stemmed from an injury in its mouth. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police forensic experts concluded that the skin wounds on the marine mammal were not gunshot wounds, and no projectiles or metal fragments were discovered. The whale had initially surfaced in Norway in 2019, wearing a harness with a camera and the inscription "Equipment of St. Petersburg," leading some to speculate that it might be a Russian spy whale or a therapeutic whale. Following its discovery in a Norwegian fjord in August 2024, two animal welfare organizations filed a complaint alleging that the whale had been intentionally harmed.
14:33 Repeated Drone Attacks: Kyiv Reports Damage
Ukraine's air force reported shooting down nine drones and disrupting seven additional ones from a total of 19 that targeted essential infrastructure during the night, according to its own statement. The fate of the remaining three drones was undetermined. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko indicated that a residential building had been damaged, but a fire was quickly put out. In the southern region of Kherson, the local governor reported that critical infrastructure, utility facilities, and 35 private homes had been hit in multiple attacks over the past day, resulting in one fatality and four injuries.
14:04 Kremlin: "Kyiv Continues to Play with Fire"
"Kyiv continues to play with fire, and we will, of course, bring this to the attention of the representatives of the IAEA," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog. Russian forces had claimed that they had intercepted a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant the previous day, and some news outlets reported a fire several miles away. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi had earlier refuted allegations that Ukraine had targeted the plant with weapons.
13:46 France Sends 12 Caesar Howitzers to Ukraine
The Franco-German defense consortium KNDS had signed a contract for the delivery of 12 Caesar howitzers, funded by Ukraine, wrote French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu on the platform X. Caesar represents "Camion équipé d'un système d'artillerie." The self-propelled artillery system can reach targets up to 55 kilometers away. "Increasing our defense industry's production capacity supports Ukraine," Lecornu said. France had previously provided Caesar howitzers to Ukraine on multiple occasions.
13:11 Ukraine: Arson Attack Destroys FSB Headquarters in Novosibirsk
An arson attack took place at the headquarters of the Russian domestic intelligence agency FSB in Novosibirsk on October 3. A video from the Ukrainian military intelligence service alleged to show a man setting the fire and becoming engulfed in flames himself was circulated. Russian media confirmed the fire.
12:34 Russia: Nuclear Plant Worker Killed in Car Bomb Attack
A person of responsibility at the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia was killed in a car bomb attack, the Ukrainian intelligence service disclosed in a video showing the explosion of a car and stating that the "security chief" of the nuclear power plant, Andriy Korotky, had been killed. Korotky was described as a "war criminal" by the intelligence service, as he had "voluntarily collaborated with the Russian occupiers" and had denounced pro-Ukrainian employees of the nuclear plant. The Russia-aligned leadership of the nuclear power plant confirmed Korotky's death, referring to the incident as a "terrorist attack ordered by Kyiv." The director of the nuclear power plant, Yuri Chernichuk, described the attack as "reckless" and demanded retribution. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, an explosive device had been placed under Korotky's car at his residence, which had detonated as he drove away.
12:02 Munz: Putin Want to Show "That War is Worth It"
Following the capture of the city of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine, the Russian army would intensify its efforts in the region, according to Rainer Munz. Munz further explained why Putin was more frequently promoting military veterans to prominent positions.
11:29 Ukraine: At Least 177 Ukrainian POWs Have Died in Russian Captivity
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war had lost their lives in Russian captivity, stated Victoria Tsymbaliuk of the Ukrainian coordinating center for POWs at the "Kyiv Independent." The actual number of deaths in Russian captivity may be significantly higher due to the lack of international oversight, Tsymbaliuk noted. "Not all bodies are returned, and many are not even acknowledged as being in captivity by Russia," she said. There had been several reports of Ukrainian POWs being tortured or killed in Russian captivity. In September, the Prosecutor General's Office had announced that criminal proceedings had been initiated into the execution of 84 Ukrainian POWs.
11:00 Ukraine: Russians Attack Kirowohrad Region with Drones
Russian forces had targeted the Kirowohrad region in central Ukraine with drones, reported the head of the regional military administration, Andriy Raykovych, on his Telegram channel. According to him, a facility's administrative building in Holovaniwsk had been hit in the drone attack, injuring one individual.
10:27 UNIQA Parts Ways with Russia, Sells SubsidiaryThe Austrian insurance company UNIQA has concluded the sale of its Russian branch to Russian Renaissance Life. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. UNIQA had declared its intention to sell the joint insurance company it shared with Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to Russian life insurer Renaissance Life over a year ago. UNIQA's board member Wolfgang Kindl stated, "With the completion of this deal, we conclude our departure from the Russian market."
09:55 Wildfires Inferno Two Russian Fuel Depots
Two Russian fuel depots have been engulfed in flames throughout the night. The Governor of Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, attributed the incident to a Ukrainian drone attack. He shared on Telegram that fragments of an intercepted combat drone fell into an empty cistern, sparking the fire. Videos of the alleged drone attack circulated on social media, but the extent of the damage remained unclear. A fuel tank spanning 10,000 square meters is ablaze in a Russian village near Perm in the Ural Mountains. The Russian emergency services confirmed the incident. Although they did not divulge any information about a drone attack, it's worth noting that Ukrainian drones can cover such distances. The village is located roughly 1700 kilometers away from Ukraine. Read more here.
09:30 Julia Navalnaya Unfazed by Talks with Putin
Julia Navalnaya has dismissed the thought of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin as unnecessary. "There's no need to negotiate with him (...), we need to fight against him so that one day justice triumphs," Navalnaya, the exiled wife of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, remarked before the French Constitutional Council in Paris. "The West doesn't comprehend that Putin doesn't wait for someone to engage in talks with him. (...) He doesn't care," she added. She emphasized the significance of "standing firm and not being intimidated by this regime." In July, she was classified as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia. Shortly before, a Russian court had issued an arrest warrant against her for "participation in an extremist organization."
08:58 Ukraine Reveals Estimated Casualties of Russian Troops
The Ukrainian General Staff has publishes fresh casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. The report indicates that approximately 657,940 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with an average daily loss of 1,230. The report also stated that 15 tanks, 59 artillery systems, and 101 drones were destroyed. Overall, Russia has reportedly lost 8,908 tanks, 18,965 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 16,494 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. Sources confirm these figures are at the very least underestimates.
08:09 Sumy Region Witnesses 82 Russian Attacks
Russian forces have reportedly staged 82 attacks on the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine during the past 24 hours, according to the regional military administration via Telegram. Eight civilians were injured in these attacks. The Russian forces are alleged to have employed mortars, artillery, rocket launchers, guided bombs, and drones. More than ten localities in Sumy were affected, including Mykolajiw, Chotyn, Junakiwka, Myropillja, Bilopillja, Richkyivka, Krasnopillja, Velyka Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Hluchiw, Shalyhyne, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda. The Sumy region borders Russian regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod.
07:33 Ukraine Opens First Enlistment Office in Poland
The Ukrainian military has inaugurated a recruitment office in Poland, as announced by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The recruitment office for the "Ukrainian Legion," situated in Polish Lublin, is the Ukrainian military's first overseas enrollment center. The arrangement to train a "Ukrainian Legion" in Poland was part of a security agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July. Since Russia's invasion, Poland has harbored nearly one million refugees from Ukraine. Estimates suggest that approximately 300,000 combat-eligible individuals from Ukraine reside in Poland. Polish Minister of Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz clarified to the portal "Wirtualna Polska" that Poland is not responsible for the recruitment of Ukrainian volunteers, but instead solely for their military training. "The number of Ukrainians who have enlisted is insufficient," Kosiniak-Kamysz revealed. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, nearly 200 applications have been documented so far.
06:52 ISW: Russian Forces Struggle with Additional Offensives in Eastern UkraineThe Russian armed forces face resource constraints capable of sustaining intensified offensive efforts for extended periods, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian summer offensive had been planned for months by Russian military commanders. However, the reserves and resources amassed for this purpose are likely to have depleted significantly as a result of the exhaustive battles experienced throughout the past months, as per ISW. It's predicted that the current Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is expected to reach its climax within the coming months, if not weeks, based on previous Ukrainian officials and ISW assessments.
06:12 Zelensky: "Boosting Defense Strength is Crucial"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commends the visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Kyiv within two days of his inauguration as "impactful." In his evening video address, Zelensky expresses the urgency to transform this priority into actionable decisions. He emphasizes the importance of honoring all commitments from Ukraine's allies regarding supporting its defense, referencing earlier broken or inadequately delivered promises. Zelensky highlights the necessity to bolster the frontlines further. He also petitions his partners for authorization to employ extended-range weapons against military objectives within Russian territory. "Everyone within the alliance is conscious of the necessity," acknowledges the president. Furthermore, Zelensky pinpoints air defense as another significant priority.
05:35 Ukraine Touts Arms Expo to Attract Foreign InvestorsThe Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is keen to attract foreign investors for the defense sector. An exclusive weapons exhibition was organized for potential foreign investors at a covert location in Ukraine, disclosed by the news agency Ukrinform. Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov indited a variety of Ukrainian weapons, such as an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery, unmanned kamikaze vehicles, and mine-clearing vehicles. "We possess unique advancements that have been testified in combat and further ameliorated by developers," Klimenkov stated. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has so far invested approximately 4 billion dollars (3.6 billion euros) in the defense industry and seeks additional investments from foreign partners.
05:10 Moscow: Exploded Drone Lights Abandoned Tank on FireAir defense officials in the Russian region of Voronezh near the border reportedly neutralized multiple Ukrainian drones overnight. One of the targeted drones apparently landed on an oil depot's grounds, resulting in an empty tank igniting. Preliminary reports suggest no casualties. The events remain unsubstantiated. Voronezh has recently been a target of Ukrainian drone attacks.
02:51 Kyiv Bolsters Defense in the EastThe commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has mandated the reinforcement of fortifications in the eastern region of Donetsk. Russian forces are infiltrating multiple sectors of eastern Ukraine. Syrskyi announced on social media that he is coordinating with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade at "one of the critical frontline sections."
22:22 Latvia's Tourism Suffers from ConflictRussia's hostilities against Ukraine are also influencing tourism in Latvia. The Latvian newspaper "Diena" reports today that not only the hospitality industry entrepreneurs but also the Central Statistical Bureau stress that this conflict is hindering a post-COVID-19 tourism resurgence. It's not only about adjusting to the absence of Russian tourists but also about potential guests perceiving the Baltics as an insecure region close to military operations.
21:40 Switzerland Pledges 1.5 Billion Euros to Ukraine RebuildingSwitzerland vows to supply 1.5 billion Swiss francs (1.54 billion euros) for reconstruction projects in Ukraine over the next four years, announced Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine and Moldova, Felix Baumann. One billion will be allocated to Ukrainian self-governance, mine clearance, and humanitarian aid sectors. The remaining 500 million will be invested in reconstruction programs involving the Swiss private sector, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Communities and Territories Development. "To reaffirm our dedication, our representative here will oversee the implementation of this project," Baumann stated during a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Kuleba also mentioned constructing housing for the more than 4.5 million internally displaced persons within Ukraine as a priority for cooperation with Switzerland.
20:39 Ukraine Acquires Patriot Air Defense System from RomaniaThe Ukrainian government has obtained a Patriot air defense system from Bucharest, confirmed Romanian Ministry of Defense spokesman Constantin Spinu to Radio Free Europe. "I express gratitude to every nation that aids us with air defense. Particularly appreciative I am towards Romania for the Patriot systems. Together we can achieve an even greater effectiveness - we can halt Russian aggression by jointly dispersing Shahed drones and missiles," said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address on Wednesday. Following some initial hesitation, Bucharest decided in June to contribute a Patriot system. The Romanian government sanctioned the delivery of the system last month.
19:57 Forbes: Gazprom Becomes Most Unprofitable Company in RussiaRussian state-owned company Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom endured a record net loss of 5.5 billion euros in 2023, marking the first time in 25 years, as per business magazine Forbes. The Amur Gas and Chemicals Complex, a partnership between Russian Sibur Holding and Chinese Sinopec, ranks second in the Russian Forbes index of the most unprofitable companies. Also, enlisted among the top five are Ozon (408 million euros net loss), United Aircraft Corporation by Rostec (326 million euros net loss), and social networking site VK (326 million euros net loss).
The European Union may express concern over the Russian Defense Ministry's plan to enlist numerous contract soldiers, considering its potential impact on regional stability.
The European Union, as a collective, might consider imposing sanctions or reinforcing its Eastern border defenses in response to Moscow's increased military presence, given its influence within the bloc.
