Russian forces are approximately 7 kilometers away from Pokrovsk.
Russian troops seem to be encroaching on Pokrovsk more, with only 7 kilometers separating them from the city's outskirts, as per Mayor Serhii Dobriak's report on Ukrainian television. Previously, the distance was estimated to be under 10 kilometers. The mayor disclosed bombing attacks, with two incidents on the city center alone the previous day. At present, approximately 80% of Pokrovsk's essential infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. "The enemy has left us without power, water, and gas, preparing us for winter," he states. Over 13,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, including nearly 100 children who failed to evacuate. The city's pre-war population was 60,000.
19:30 Zelensky Honors Soldiers Battling in KurskUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pays a visit to fighters involved in the offensive in Kursk, a Russian region in the Sumy border region. A video reveals him presenting honors to soldiers in an underground bunker, accompanied by the Chief Commander of the Army, Oleksandr Syrsky. Zelensky tells the soldiers, "In a prolonged war, it's not just about motivating our own personnel, but about motivating the entire world and convincing them that Ukrainians can be stronger than the enemy." Their efforts in Kursk have "inspired those who support us with weapons." The offensive in Kursk has been underway for nearly two months now, with little details disclosed by Kiev lately. Meanwhile, in the eastern Ukraine region of Donetsk, Russian troops have recently progressed. Russia frequently reports the capture of settlements, with the Ukrainian army recently withdrawing from Wuhledar.
18:53 Altercation with Baerbock Affects Russian JournalistAn incident involving a reporter from Russian state television during German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's press conference at the UN General Assembly in New York results in consequences for the journalist. "The behavior of the said journalist violated the media access guidelines," explains the UN's accreditation department. As a consequence, his access status has been downgraded, requiring him to pass through a security checkpoint and face access restrictions at UN headquarters for each visit. On UN grounds, the reporter approached Baerbock while she was heading to a media event and asked her a question. Baerbock pointed towards the upcoming press conference. The reporter persisted in following her and eventually stood beside Baerbock as she prepared her statement. Baerbock then firmly instructed the man to join other media personnel to initiate the press event. Russian UN Ambassador Nebensia demands a reversal of the decision, asserting that the reporter did not harass Baerbock or misbehave. He describes a confrontation with a German delegation member during the incident as an "attack" on the Russian.
18:11 Putin Open to Dialogue with Biden
The Kremlin has shown interest in a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. The Russian state-run news agency Tass reports that Biden earlier stated that it was possible for him to engage in discussions with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November in Brazil. However, he raises doubts about Putin's presence. Tass now quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow as saying that no discussions have taken place between Moscow and Washington on this matter. "No discussions have occurred, and no conditions exist at present." Peskow adds, "The president has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in all contacts." The prospect of Putin, who has an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court, attending has been a topic at every G20 summit since the conflict began. Brazilian President Lula stated in the fall of 2023 that it is up to the Brazilian justice system to decide whether to apprehend his Russian counterpart if he attends the summit.
17:26 Crimea Resident Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for 'Traitors'A court in Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula has sentenced a resident of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory to 14 years in a strict labor camp for 'treason'. The 47-year-old is accused of providing information about the positions and weapons of the Russian army to the Ukrainian military, according to the prosecution. Since the start of the conflict, thousands of individuals in Russia have been sentenced to prison terms, penalized, or threatened with punishment under similar charges.
16:42 Medical Commission Head Accused of FraudThe leader of a medical commission in Ukraine is suspected of earning several million euros by issuing fraudulent disability certificates for healthy men. During raids on her apartment and workplace in Chmelnytskyi, police recovered over five million euros in cash. Another two million euros were found in foreign accounts, according to the State Investigation Bureau. The woman also acquired numerous luxury properties and vehicles. During the raids, investigators discovered lists containing the names of men who had obtained fake illnesses. The 64-year-old faces up to 12 years in prison, according to media reports. At the same time, simultaneous arrests were made in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, where 13 doctors are suspected of issuing disability certificates to over 400 men for a total of over 2,200 euros per person. Read more here.
16:00 Kherson Governor: Elderly Woman Killed by Russian DroneThe governor of the Kherson region reports a civilian casualty. A 75-year-old woman was killed when the Russian army targeted Kherson with a drone in the afternoon.
15:49 Wagenknecht and Wadephul commend Woidke, Voigt, and Kretschmer for Ukraine initiativeDespite the majority criticism, Sahra Wagenknecht, BSW chairwoman, appreciates the joint Ukraine proposal by Michael Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke from Brandenburg and Saxony, along with Mario Voigt, Thuringian CDU chairman. Wagenknecht considers it a "clever and distinct contribution" and told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Approval also comes from CDU foreign policy expert Johann Wadephul, who praised the proposal as "responsible" as it adheres to the fundamental guidelines: recognizing Russia's breach of international law, upholding EU and NATO's firmness, and seeking a resolution only compatible with the UN Charter. The article marks a "red line", and Wadephul warns that there will be no cooperation with the BSW if this line is crossed. He interprets the move as a "serious attempt to build a bridge during potential coalition negotiations while preserving one's principles." The concurrent cooperation between top politicians from CDU and SPD is identified as a "powerful sign". Read more here.
15:30 Eastern politicians' Ukraine proposal faces backlash: "Principles are being traded for power preservation"Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, opposes the plea by leaders from the east for enhanced diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "Ukraine is fighting for its own survival. We must continue to support it, considering our interests. Negotiations will only take place if both parties are prepared," Merz informed the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". Criticism echoes from the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael Roth. If the article from the three designated state leaders was meant to be a peace offering for negotiations with the BSW, Roth advises extreme caution, citing the alliance between Sahra Wagenknecht and recent state elections. The FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann states to the "Rheinische Post": "The impression arises that our country's liberal values are being traded for short-term power retention and political campaigning." The lead politicians of Saxony, Brandenburg (Michael Kretschmer from CDU and Dietmar Woidke from SPD), and Thuringia's CDU chairman Mario Voigt penned a guest piece in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urging the federal government to engage Russia in talks. Read more here.
15:05 Post-mortem Analysis: Alleged "Spy Whale" Likely Died Due to IllnessContrary to the allegations by animal rights activists, the alleged "spy whale" discovered in Norway was most likely not shot. Vet experts who performed an autopsy on the beluga whale concluded that a bacterial infection was the probable cause of death, possibly stemming from a wound in its mouth. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police forensic experts determined that the superficial skin wounds on the marine mammal were not gunshot wounds, nor were any bullets or metal fragments discovered. The whale was initially detected in Norway in 2019, adorned with a harness and camera, bearing the inscription "Equipment of St. Petersburg". Speculations rose about it being a Russian 'spy whale' or therapy whale. Found dead in a Norwegian bay in August 2024, two animal protection organizations supposed it had been killed and lodged a complaint based on the injuries.
14:33 Repeated Attacks by Drones: Kyiv Reports DamageUkraine's air force reveals that it was targeted by Russian drones overnight, with essential infrastructure as their objective. According to the air force, 19 drones were launched, with nine getting shot down, and seven more disrupted by electronic disturbances. The condition of the remaining three drones is unspecified. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports that a residential building in the capital was damaged, prompting a swift fire extinguishment. In the southern Kherson region, Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych reported multiple attacks on critical infrastructure, utility facilities, and 35 private homes, resulting in one fatality and four injuries.
14:04 Kremlin: "Kyiv Persists in Playing with Fire""Kyiv continues to fiddle with fire, and supposing the IAEA officials, we will naturally bring their attention to this," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells Reuters, alluding to the International Atomic Energy Agency. On Thursday, Russian forces claimed that they had encountered a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant, with some international media outlets reporting a blaze several miles away. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi previously denied that Ukraine had deployed weapons near the power plant.
13:11 Ukraine: Arson Attack Wrecks FSB Headquarters in NovosibirskAn arson attack on the headquarters of the Russian domestic security agency FSB in Novosibirsk occurred on October 3. A video shared by the Ukrainian military intelligence appears to show an individual lighting the fire and getting consumed by the flames himself. Russian news sources confirm the fire.
12:34 Russia: Worker at Nuclear Plant Killed by Bomb Car DetonationAn individual responsible for the Russian-controlled Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia was killed in a bomb car explosion. The Ukrainian intelligence service released a video showcasing the car explosion, claiming that the "head of security" of the nuclear power plant, Andriy Korotky, was the victim. Korotky was allegedly a "war criminal" who willingly cooperated with the Russian occupiers, denouncing pro-Ukrainian nuclear plant employees, as stated by the intelligence service. The nuclear power plant's pro-Russian leadership confirmed Korotky's demise and labeled it a "terrorist attack ordered by Kyiv." The director of the nuclear power plant, Yuri Chernichuk, described it as a "reckless" attack that "should face consequences." According to Russia's Investigative Committee, an explosive device was placed beneath Korotky's car at his residence and detonated as he departed.
12:02 Munz: Putin Aims to Demonstrate 'That the Conflict is Worthwhile'Following the capture of the city of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine, the Russian military is expected to intensify its operations in the region, reports Rainer Munz. Munz further explains why Putin is increasingly appointing war veterans to official positions.
11:29 Ukraine: At Least 177 Ukrainian PoWs Lose Lives in Russian CaptivitySince the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian detainees have perished in Russian captivity, states Victoria Tsymbaliuk of the Ukrainian captive prisoners coordinating center with "Kyiv Independent." The actual number of deaths in Russian custody may be substantially higher due to the absence of international supervision, Tsymbaliuk notes. "Not all bodies are returned, and many are not even recognized as being captives by Russia," she says. Reports have emerged of Ukrainian detainees being mistreated or murdered in Russian custody. In September, Russia's Prosecutor General's Office launched criminal investigations into the executions of 84 Ukrainian detainees.
11:00 Ukraine: Russians Unleash Drone Attacks on Kirowohrad RegionRussian forces bombarded the Kirowohrad region in central Ukraine using drones, as reported by the regional military administration head, Andriy Raykovych, on his Telegram channel. An administrative building of an enterprise in Holovanivsk was damaged in the drone attack, resulting in one injury.
10:27 Insurer UNIQA Leaves RussiaThe Austrian insurance company UNIQA has completed the sale of its Russian subsidiary to the Russian Renaissance Life. The sale price was not disclosed. UNIQA had previously declared its intention to sell the joint insurance subsidiary with the Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to Russian life insurance company Renaissance Life. "We have now left the Russian market," says UNIQA board member Wolfgang Kindl.
09:55 Major Fires Ravage Two Russian Fuel Depots
Fires have engulfed two Russian fuel depots during the night. In the Voronezh region, where a Ukrainian drone strike is believed to be responsible (see entry 05:10), Governor Alexander Gusev accused Ukrainian drones of causing the depot fire by dropping parts that ignited an empty cistern. Videos of a suspected Ukrainian drone strike flooded social media, but the extent of the fire remained unclear. In a Russian Ural Mountains village, a fuel tank covering 10,000 square meters is also on fire. The Russian emergency services confirmed the fire occurrence. Although they did not mention a drone strike, Ukrainian drones have a range capable of reaching such distances. The village is about 1,700 kilometers from Ukraine. Source here.
09:30 Navalnaya's Daughter Dismisses Talks with Putin as Unnecessary
Julia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, has labeled direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin unnecessary. "There's no point in discussing with him (...). We need to fight him so that one day justice will prevail," said Navalnaya before the French Constitutional Council in Paris. "The West doesn't understand that Putin doesn't wait for someone to approach him for talks. (...) He doesn't care," she added. She emphasized the significance of "not losing hope and not fearing this regime." In July, she was added to a list of "terrorists and extremists" in Russia. Shortly before, a Russian court had issued an arrest warrant against her for "participating in an extremist organization."
08:58 Ukraine Reveals Russian Troop Losses
The Ukrainian military has released new casualty figures for Russian forces in Ukraine. According to the data, Russia has suffered around 657,940 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, including 1,230 in the last 24 hours. The report from Kyiv also states that 15 tanks, 59 artillery systems, and 101 drones were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,908 tanks, 18,965 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 16,494 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion, according to Ukraine. Western estimations peg the losses lower, but these are likely to be minimum figures.
08:09 Ukraine Reports 82 Russian Aggressions on Sumy Region
Russian aggressors struck the Sumy region in eastern Ukraine 82 times within the past 24 hours, as per the regional military administration's report on Telegram. Eight individuals received injuries in these attacks. Russian forces allegedly employed mortars, artillery, rocket launchers, guided missiles, and drones. More than ten Sumy communities were affected, including Mykolaiv, Chotyn, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Bilopillia, Richkyvka, Krasnopillia, Velika Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Hluchiw, Shalyhyne, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda. The Sumy region shares borders with the Russian regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod.
07:33 Ukraine Launches First Overseas Recruitment Center in Poland
The Ukrainian military established a recruitment center in Poland, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. This is the first overseas center for the Ukrainian military, situated in Lublin, Poland. The establishment of the "Ukrainian Legion" recruitment center in Poland was part of a security agreement signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July. Since the Russian invasion, Poland has welcomed almost a million people from Ukraine. It's estimated that approximately 300,000 combat-aged individuals from Ukraine reside in Poland. According to the Polish Defense Minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland is not responsible for recruiting Ukrainian volunteers, but rather for their military training. He noted that the number of Ukrainian enlistees has fallen short of expectations. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has reported over 200 applications so far.
06:52 ISW: Russian War Resources in Eastern Ukraine are Depleted
The Russian Armed Forces lack the necessary personnel and equipment resources for an indefinite intensified offensive, as per the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest assessment. Russia prepared its summer offensive in eastern Ukraine for months but has likely depleted reserves and resources due to intense combat encounters, according to ISW. The Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is predicted to peak in the near future, if not within weeks.
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06:12 Zelensky: "The Frontline must be Reinforced"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Kyiv just two days after his inauguration, calling it "significant." "Now it's about turning these commitments into actions," Zelensky said in his evening video address. He emphasized the need for all defense-related agreements with Ukraine's partners to be fully implemented. "The frontline must be reinforced," Zelensky declared, adding that partners should be granted permission to target military targets on Russian territory with long-range weapons. He also highlighted air defense as a priority.
05:35 Ukraine Seeking Foreign Investors for Defense Industry
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is soliciting foreign investment in its defense sector. A secretive arms exhibition was organized for potential foreign investors elsewhere in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov presented various Ukrainian weapons, such as an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery system, drone kamikaze vehicles, and mine-clearing vehicles. "We have unique innovations that have been tested in combat and perfected by developers," he stated. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has already invested four billion dollars (three and a half billion euros) into the defense industry and plans to attract additional investments from international partners.
05:10 Moscow: Drone Strike in Oil Field
Russian air defense officials reportedly shot down multiple Ukrainian drones over the border region of Voronezh during the night. One of the drones landed on the grounds of an oil depot, resulting in the burning of an empty tank, according to Governor Alexander Gusev's Telegram post. Initial reports suggest no casualties. These claims remain unverified. Voronezh has been the target of numerous Ukrainian drone attacks recently.
02:51 Kyiv Reinforces Defenses in Eastern Region
The Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has ordered the fortification of defensive installations in the eastern Donetsk region. Russian troops are reportedly advancing in diverse sectors in eastern Ukraine. Syrskyi announced on social media that he is working with the 25th Sicheslav Air Assault Brigade at "one of the most important frontline sectors."
22:22 Tourism in Latvia Suffers due to War Conflicts
Russia's conflict with Ukraine is having an impact on Latvia's tourism industry, reported by Latvian newspaper "Diena." Not only are local tourism businesses adapting to the lack of Russian tourists, but potential guests from other nations also perceive the Baltic region as a dangerous area near military conflicts.
21:40 Switzerland Commits 1.5 Billion CHF to Ukraine ReconstructionSwitzerland intends to contribute 1.5 billion Swiss francs (approx. 1.54 billion euros) towards reconstruction initiatives in Ukraine over a four-year period, as announced by Swiss Ambassador Felix Baumann. A significant portion, 1 billion CHF, will be allocated for strengthening Ukraine's autonomous sectors, mine clearance, and humanitarian aid. The remaining funds will be utilized for reconstruction programs involving the Swiss private sector, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Communities and Territories Development. Baumann emphasized the commitment by stating, "To exhibit our strong commitment, our representative will oversee the project implementation directly." During a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, Kuleba also highlighted the construction of housing units for the over 4.5 million internally displaced individuals in Ukraine as a cooperative priority with Switzerland.
20:39 Ukraine Receives Patriot Air Defense System from RomaniaThe Ukrainian authorities have received a Patriot air defense system from Romania, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the Romanian Ministry of Defense, Constantin Spinu, to Radio Free Europe. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all nations for their air defense support. Particularly, he expressed gratitude towards Romania for the Patriot systems, expressing belief that, "Working together, we will achieve enhanced effectiveness - let's put an end to Russian aggression by destroying Shahed drones and missiles together." Romania had initially hesitated but eventually decided to donate its Patriot system in June. The system had been prepared for delivery last month.
19:57 Forbes: Gazprom Becomes Russia's Most Unprofitable CompanyBusiness magazine Forbes reported that Russian state-owned company Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom experienced a record net loss of 5.5 billion euros in 2023, marking the first time since 1998. The Amur Gas and Chemical Complex, a joint venture between Russian Sibur Holding and Chinese Sinopec, ranked second on the Russian Forbes list of the most unprofitable companies. Other companies on the top five list includes Ozon (a net loss of 408 million euros), United Aircraft Corporation (a net loss of 326 million euros, belonging to Rostec), and VK social network (a net loss of 326 million euros).
Previously reported developments.
- The President of the Council, during a meeting with international leaders, expressed concerns about the escalating situation in Pokrovsk and the need for a diplomatic solution to prevent further conflict.
- In response to the bombing attacks in Pokrovsk, the President of the Council has called on the international community to impose stronger sanctions against Russia, urging them to put pressure on Putin's government to withdraw its troops and respect Ukraine's sovereignty.
