U.S. President Trump is reported to have told Ukrainian President Zelensky that if he does not accept defeat, he will face disaster, lose territory, and the war could drag on; an outcome that would be catastrophic for Ukraine.
(upd10) The Ukraine capitulation plan reopens ahead of the new Putin–Trump summit.
There is no doubt that, ahead of the new summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, the plan for Ukraine’s capitulation has been reopened. As is known, since the summer of 2024, Russia has been demanding that Ukraine surrender the fortress cities in northern Donetsk — namely Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka — in order to agree to a peace plan that would include substantial security guarantees.
It should be noted that the Russian army already controls 80% of Donetsk, but four fortress cities remain — where, since 2014, defensive fortifications have been constructed, hence the term “fortress cities.” Russia will need time to capture them.
However, the Russian side has announced that it is already conducting operations in the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine — a significant development, as it appears to be preparing for a new offensive targeting Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa in the next phase.
Trump is reported to have told Ukrainian President Zelensky that if he does not accept that he has lost, he will face disaster, lose territory, and the war could last much longer; an outcome that would be terrifying for Ukraine.
Explosions rock the Odessa region
Explosions rocked the Odessa area, according to the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli.
“Odessa: local public groups report explosions in the region.”
According to the digital map of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, air raid sirens are sounding in this area as well as in several other regions.
In response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilians, Russian troops are regularly striking locations housing personnel, equipment, and mercenaries, as well as Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities, defense industry sites, command and control centers, and communication facilities.
Russian Armed Forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Sumy region – The 47th Brigade fails
The Russian Armed Forces have repelled four counterattacks by the Ukrainian military in the Sumy region.
“The enemy launched four counterattacks: three in the Konstantinovka area by the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, and one south of Yunakovka by the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade.”
The counterattacks were repelled through an integrated fire assault.
The enemy retreated to its original positions with losses.
Russian forces have established a security zone in the Sumy region, with a depth of 8 to 12 kilometers.
According to President Putin, this was the result of Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk region and the subsequent expansion of the frontline to 2,000 kilometers.
He emphasized that Russia does not aim to capture Sumy, but such a scenario cannot be ruled out.
Reuters: Trump examines Russia’s security guarantees – "Zelensky, you risk disaster"
During talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky, U.S. President Trump discussed security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported, citing two sources.
Trump reportedly urged Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms.
According to Reuters sources, the Ukrainian delegation found the American leader’s remarks “disturbing.”
A third source noted that Trump made this proposal after Zelensky stated that he would not voluntarily give up any territory.
“The meeting ended with Trump deciding to make a deal where things currently stand — along the line of demarcation.”
According to Reuters, Trump hinted that disaster looms for Ukraine if it fails to reach a peace agreement with Russia.
In addition, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff was reportedly among those most insistent that Ukraine agree to a ‘land-for-peace’ exchange with Russia.
Trump on Fox News: Ukraine will lose territory – Russians fought, they have wealth – We’re not giving Tomahawks
Ukraine will lose some territory if the conflict is resolved, said U.S. President Trump in an interview with Fox News.
“President Putin will get some things. I mean, they fought, and he has a lot of assets,” Trump said.
That was his response when asked whether he believed Putin was ready or open to ending the conflict “without taking away significant assets from Ukraine.”
When asked whether the possible cession of Donetsk was discussed during his meeting with Zelensky, Trump denied it:
“No, we didn’t discuss that.
We believe they just need to stop where they are right now — along the front lines.
There is currently a front line.
Anything beyond that is very difficult to discuss.
If we start saying ‘you take this, we take that’ — there are too many versions.
That’s why I say: they need to stop right now, at the front line.
Go home, stop killing people — and end it there,” Trump said.
At that point, he added that the Donbass should remain as it is:
“Right now, it’s divided. I think about 78% of the region has already been captured by Russia.
Let things stay as they are. Later, we can discuss something,” the U.S. President said.
Trump also commented on military supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
He stated that he could not put the United States at risk by transferring weapons to Ukraine at the expense of American interests.
“We can’t give all our weapons to Ukraine.
We simply can’t do that.
I can’t put the United States in danger,” he clarified.
Trump reiterated that the U.S. itself needs the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine.
“Ukraine asked me if it could get Tomahawks, and I’m looking into that option.
I talked about it with Putin, and he wasn’t thrilled.
But we have to remember one thing: we need them ourselves,” Trump explained.
He added that there is “tremendous potential for trade,” expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Putin (Russia): Ukraine must surrender the remaining 20% of Donetsk region to end the war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly reiterated his demand that Ukraine hand over the entire Donetsk region as a condition for ending the war and hinted that Russia would be willing to “return portions” of occupied southern Ukraine.
According to some in the West, ceding the Donetsk region — of which Russia already controls 80% — would enable Moscow to renew its aggression against Ukraine later from more advantageous positions of its choosing.
Two senior officials told The Washington Post that Putin told U.S. President Trump on October 16 that Ukraine must surrender the remaining non-occupied areas of Donetsk to Russia “as a condition for ending the war,” and that he “would be willing to hand back parts” of the occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson regions in exchange.
It is likely that Putin was referring to areas of Zaporizhia and Kherson still controlled by Ukraine but claimed and annexed by Russia.
Putin has been demanding the Donetsk region as the price for a ceasefire since August 2024–2025.
The Donetsk region includes territory of vital strategic importance to Ukraine’s defense and defense-industrial base (DIB), including the fortress zone — Ukraine’s main defensive line in Donetsk since 2014, developed into a major logistical and defense-industrial hub.
Ceding the Donetsk region to Russia would allow Russian forces to avoid a long and bloody battle and continue operating deep within Ukrainian territory from new positions along the region’s border.
Russian troops would gain advantageous launching points for attacks on the eastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia, or the southern Kharkiv region — areas that are far less fortified than the fortress zone.
Such a withdrawal would also create more favorable conditions for Russia’s ongoing offensive to advance beyond the Oskil River in eastern Kharkiv region and approach Izyum.
Financial Times: Trump urged Zelensky to accept defeat to avoid disaster - He was ‘constantly swearing’
During a meeting with President Zelensky in Washington, U.S. President Trump urged him to accept Russia’s terms, warning that otherwise the Kyiv government “would be destroyed,” according to the British newspaper Financial Times.
“In a tense meeting at the White House on Friday, October 17, 2025, Trump urged Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms for ending the war,” Financial Times reported.
According to a senior European official, the American leader told his counterpart that he had to make such a deal “or face destruction,” adding that Ukraine was already losing the armed confrontation with Russia.
However, Financial Times clarified that Ukraine ultimately managed to persuade Trump to support the idea of freezing the conflict along the current front lines.
At the same time, the atmosphere during the negotiations was described as extremely tense.
“The meeting repeatedly descended into a heated argument, with Trump ‘constantly swearing’
At one point during the meeting, the U.S. President threw maps showing the front lines in Ukraine off the table,” Financial Times emphasized.
Trump reportedly spent much of the meeting “lecturing” Zelensky and repeating talking points raised by Russian President Putin during their last phone conversation.
Sources told Financial Times that after the meeting, the head of the Kyiv regime was deeply negative about its outcome.
J. D. Vance (U.S. Vice President): Final decisions on Tomahawks not yet made – The war will last a long time
U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance stated that President Trump has not yet made a decision on the possible transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, Reuters reported.
According to J. D. Vance, the United States needs critical weapons systems for its own forces.
For the White House, American interests take priority.
The administration, he added, will continue working toward peace in the Ukraine conflict, even if that process takes months or longer.
Zelensky (President of Ukraine) on NBC: We are discussing territorial issues based on the current line of contact
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to negotiate territorial issues based on the current line of contact and emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue “in any format.”
“We must end this war and start from where the troops are,
from the line of contact,” Zelensky said in an interview with NBC.
He noted that he is ready for negotiations “in any form.”
Ukraine’s economy collapsed – Debt-to-GDP ratio to soar to 110.4% from 55% before the war
Ukraine’s economic problems are mounting: public debt will soon exceed GDP, the financing deficit is growing, and new Western aid packages are being provided only reluctantly.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine’s debt will increase by nearly 20% in 2025.
In 2024, it reached 89.7% of GDP, and by the end of the current year, it is expected to rise to 108.6% of GDP, continuing upward to 110.4% in 2026.
The IMF, however, expects a gradual decline thereafter: by 2030, public debt is projected to fall to 94.1% of GDP.
Where the necessary funds will come from remains unclear.
Ukraine’s Minister of Finance has stated that Kyiv has no plans to repay the debt.
“It is worth noting that before the war, the debt-to-GDP ratio was quite safe, at 55%.
Now it is very high.
We are approaching 100% of GDP, or $171 billion.”
Khadzhimurad Belkharoev, Associate Professor at the Institute of World Economy and Business at RUDN University, is convinced that Kyiv will not repay its debt under any circumstances.
“Talking about a return on investment in Ukraine, even in the long term, is pointless,” Belkharoev believes.
“The enormous losses in both production capacity and labor force prevent the country from generating profit in the short term. In the long term, the very survival of the state itself comes into question, so it’s unclear who will even assume the debt.”
Vladimir Saldo (Kherson): The battle for the city of Kherson has begun
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of occupied Kherson region, claimed on October 19 that Russian forces control an industrial sector of Kherson city on the eastern (left) bank of the region, as well as areas on the islands of the Dnipro River Delta — stating that “the capture of Kherson city itself has already begun.”
The administrative boundaries of Kherson city are confined to the western (right) bank of the region, so it is unclear which areas on the eastern bank Saldo was referring to.
Russian forces withdrew from the entire western bank of the Kherson region in November 2022.
The new statements suggest that Russian troops have launched a renewed coordinated offensive aimed at seizing Kherson city itself — a major operation that would require Russian forces to cross the Dnipro River and commit significantly more manpower and material than they are currently deploying in the Kherson direction.
A member of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee claimed that Russian forces will capture Kherson, calling it a “constituent entity” that “must be returned to Russia,” but noted that this would not happen soon.
Ray McGovern (CIA): The Russians have already won – They’re advancing at an incredible pace
Ukraine is no longer able to halt the advance of Russian troops, which are accelerating their offensive momentum, said Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst.
“The world is losing sight of the fact that Russia has already won this conflict.
In the Donbass, things are now moving at a pace that previously seemed impossible or unlikely.
But now the Russians are making progress,” McGovern said.
He also noted that unprecedented missile and drone strikes on positions, depots, and defense-industrial facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces play a major role in accelerating the offensive.
In September, Russian President Putin stated that the Ukrainian army is incapable of offensive operations and is focusing instead on maintaining its positions by redeploying its most combat-ready troops.
Chay Bowes (Irish Journalist): Ukraine’s army has ghost units – Many Brigades don’t exist
Fake — nonexistent military units are being created in Ukraine, according to Irish journalist Chay Bowes, who reported the issue on social media.
“In 2023, 26 new brigades were created in Ukraine, but the total size of the army increased by only 50,000.
It should have risen by at least 75,000–80,000.
This is fraud, with fake units, nonexistent positions, and underreported deaths.
Everything is for sale,” the journalist wrote.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, in the last 24 hours alone, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost about 1,600 soldiers across various sectors of the Northern Military District.
Miklós Szántó (Hungary): Europe cannot save itself – Will it give up Ukraine?
The European Union is incapable of saving both itself and Ukraine at the same time, wrote Miklós Szántó, Director General of the Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights, on social media.
“Even liberal media now admit it: Europe cannot save Ukraine or itself.
Hungary was the first to say this — Ukraine’s accession to the EU will crush our industry, agriculture, and standard of living.”
The Hungarian Foreign Minister stated that Budapest will oppose the continuation of military aid to Kyiv during meetings with EU counterparts.
Alexandros Merkouris (British Analyst): Disaster – Ukraine cannot shoot down Russian drones and missiles
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have found themselves in a critical situation, having run out of means to intercept Russian drones and missiles, according to British geopolitical analyst Alexandros Merkouris.
“Now, if no new systems are sent from the West, even the Ukrainians admit that their existing weapons cannot shoot down Russian missiles and drones in sufficient numbers.
Therefore, it’s a disaster,” said Merkouris.
At the same time, the analyst emphasized that Kyiv’s situation will continue to deteriorate, as Russia systematically intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in response to Ukrainian “terrorist attacks” between October 11 and 17, Russian forces carried out one massive and seven group strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces targets within a week, including the use of Kinzhal missiles.
www.bankingnews.gr
There is no doubt that, ahead of the new summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, the plan for Ukraine’s capitulation has been reopened. As is known, since the summer of 2024, Russia has been demanding that Ukraine surrender the fortress cities in northern Donetsk — namely Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka — in order to agree to a peace plan that would include substantial security guarantees.
It should be noted that the Russian army already controls 80% of Donetsk, but four fortress cities remain — where, since 2014, defensive fortifications have been constructed, hence the term “fortress cities.” Russia will need time to capture them.
However, the Russian side has announced that it is already conducting operations in the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine — a significant development, as it appears to be preparing for a new offensive targeting Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa in the next phase.
Trump is reported to have told Ukrainian President Zelensky that if he does not accept that he has lost, he will face disaster, lose territory, and the war could last much longer; an outcome that would be terrifying for Ukraine.
Explosions rock the Odessa region
Explosions rocked the Odessa area, according to the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli.
“Odessa: local public groups report explosions in the region.”
According to the digital map of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, air raid sirens are sounding in this area as well as in several other regions.
In response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilians, Russian troops are regularly striking locations housing personnel, equipment, and mercenaries, as well as Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities, defense industry sites, command and control centers, and communication facilities.
Russian Armed Forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Sumy region – The 47th Brigade fails
The Russian Armed Forces have repelled four counterattacks by the Ukrainian military in the Sumy region.
“The enemy launched four counterattacks: three in the Konstantinovka area by the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, and one south of Yunakovka by the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade.”
The counterattacks were repelled through an integrated fire assault.
The enemy retreated to its original positions with losses.
Russian forces have established a security zone in the Sumy region, with a depth of 8 to 12 kilometers.
According to President Putin, this was the result of Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk region and the subsequent expansion of the frontline to 2,000 kilometers.
He emphasized that Russia does not aim to capture Sumy, but such a scenario cannot be ruled out.
Reuters: Trump examines Russia’s security guarantees – "Zelensky, you risk disaster"
During talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky, U.S. President Trump discussed security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported, citing two sources.
Trump reportedly urged Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms.
According to Reuters sources, the Ukrainian delegation found the American leader’s remarks “disturbing.”
A third source noted that Trump made this proposal after Zelensky stated that he would not voluntarily give up any territory.
“The meeting ended with Trump deciding to make a deal where things currently stand — along the line of demarcation.”
According to Reuters, Trump hinted that disaster looms for Ukraine if it fails to reach a peace agreement with Russia.
In addition, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff was reportedly among those most insistent that Ukraine agree to a ‘land-for-peace’ exchange with Russia.
Trump on Fox News: Ukraine will lose territory – Russians fought, they have wealth – We’re not giving Tomahawks
Ukraine will lose some territory if the conflict is resolved, said U.S. President Trump in an interview with Fox News.
“President Putin will get some things. I mean, they fought, and he has a lot of assets,” Trump said.
That was his response when asked whether he believed Putin was ready or open to ending the conflict “without taking away significant assets from Ukraine.”
When asked whether the possible cession of Donetsk was discussed during his meeting with Zelensky, Trump denied it:
“No, we didn’t discuss that.
We believe they just need to stop where they are right now — along the front lines.
There is currently a front line.
Anything beyond that is very difficult to discuss.
If we start saying ‘you take this, we take that’ — there are too many versions.
That’s why I say: they need to stop right now, at the front line.
Go home, stop killing people — and end it there,” Trump said.
At that point, he added that the Donbass should remain as it is:
“Right now, it’s divided. I think about 78% of the region has already been captured by Russia.
Let things stay as they are. Later, we can discuss something,” the U.S. President said.
Trump also commented on military supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
He stated that he could not put the United States at risk by transferring weapons to Ukraine at the expense of American interests.
“We can’t give all our weapons to Ukraine.
We simply can’t do that.
I can’t put the United States in danger,” he clarified.
Trump reiterated that the U.S. itself needs the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine.
“Ukraine asked me if it could get Tomahawks, and I’m looking into that option.
I talked about it with Putin, and he wasn’t thrilled.
But we have to remember one thing: we need them ourselves,” Trump explained.
He added that there is “tremendous potential for trade,” expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Putin (Russia): Ukraine must surrender the remaining 20% of Donetsk region to end the war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly reiterated his demand that Ukraine hand over the entire Donetsk region as a condition for ending the war and hinted that Russia would be willing to “return portions” of occupied southern Ukraine.
According to some in the West, ceding the Donetsk region — of which Russia already controls 80% — would enable Moscow to renew its aggression against Ukraine later from more advantageous positions of its choosing.
Two senior officials told The Washington Post that Putin told U.S. President Trump on October 16 that Ukraine must surrender the remaining non-occupied areas of Donetsk to Russia “as a condition for ending the war,” and that he “would be willing to hand back parts” of the occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson regions in exchange.
It is likely that Putin was referring to areas of Zaporizhia and Kherson still controlled by Ukraine but claimed and annexed by Russia.
Putin has been demanding the Donetsk region as the price for a ceasefire since August 2024–2025.
The Donetsk region includes territory of vital strategic importance to Ukraine’s defense and defense-industrial base (DIB), including the fortress zone — Ukraine’s main defensive line in Donetsk since 2014, developed into a major logistical and defense-industrial hub.
Ceding the Donetsk region to Russia would allow Russian forces to avoid a long and bloody battle and continue operating deep within Ukrainian territory from new positions along the region’s border.
Russian troops would gain advantageous launching points for attacks on the eastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia, or the southern Kharkiv region — areas that are far less fortified than the fortress zone.
Such a withdrawal would also create more favorable conditions for Russia’s ongoing offensive to advance beyond the Oskil River in eastern Kharkiv region and approach Izyum.
Financial Times: Trump urged Zelensky to accept defeat to avoid disaster - He was ‘constantly swearing’
During a meeting with President Zelensky in Washington, U.S. President Trump urged him to accept Russia’s terms, warning that otherwise the Kyiv government “would be destroyed,” according to the British newspaper Financial Times.
“In a tense meeting at the White House on Friday, October 17, 2025, Trump urged Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms for ending the war,” Financial Times reported.
According to a senior European official, the American leader told his counterpart that he had to make such a deal “or face destruction,” adding that Ukraine was already losing the armed confrontation with Russia.
However, Financial Times clarified that Ukraine ultimately managed to persuade Trump to support the idea of freezing the conflict along the current front lines.
At the same time, the atmosphere during the negotiations was described as extremely tense.
“The meeting repeatedly descended into a heated argument, with Trump ‘constantly swearing’
At one point during the meeting, the U.S. President threw maps showing the front lines in Ukraine off the table,” Financial Times emphasized.
Trump reportedly spent much of the meeting “lecturing” Zelensky and repeating talking points raised by Russian President Putin during their last phone conversation.
Sources told Financial Times that after the meeting, the head of the Kyiv regime was deeply negative about its outcome.
J. D. Vance (U.S. Vice President): Final decisions on Tomahawks not yet made – The war will last a long time
U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance stated that President Trump has not yet made a decision on the possible transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, Reuters reported.
According to J. D. Vance, the United States needs critical weapons systems for its own forces.
For the White House, American interests take priority.
The administration, he added, will continue working toward peace in the Ukraine conflict, even if that process takes months or longer.
Zelensky (President of Ukraine) on NBC: We are discussing territorial issues based on the current line of contact
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to negotiate territorial issues based on the current line of contact and emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue “in any format.”
“We must end this war and start from where the troops are,
from the line of contact,” Zelensky said in an interview with NBC.
He noted that he is ready for negotiations “in any form.”
Ukraine’s economy collapsed – Debt-to-GDP ratio to soar to 110.4% from 55% before the war
Ukraine’s economic problems are mounting: public debt will soon exceed GDP, the financing deficit is growing, and new Western aid packages are being provided only reluctantly.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine’s debt will increase by nearly 20% in 2025.
In 2024, it reached 89.7% of GDP, and by the end of the current year, it is expected to rise to 108.6% of GDP, continuing upward to 110.4% in 2026.
The IMF, however, expects a gradual decline thereafter: by 2030, public debt is projected to fall to 94.1% of GDP.
Where the necessary funds will come from remains unclear.
Ukraine’s Minister of Finance has stated that Kyiv has no plans to repay the debt.
“It is worth noting that before the war, the debt-to-GDP ratio was quite safe, at 55%.
Now it is very high.
We are approaching 100% of GDP, or $171 billion.”
Khadzhimurad Belkharoev, Associate Professor at the Institute of World Economy and Business at RUDN University, is convinced that Kyiv will not repay its debt under any circumstances.
“Talking about a return on investment in Ukraine, even in the long term, is pointless,” Belkharoev believes.
“The enormous losses in both production capacity and labor force prevent the country from generating profit in the short term. In the long term, the very survival of the state itself comes into question, so it’s unclear who will even assume the debt.”
Vladimir Saldo (Kherson): The battle for the city of Kherson has begun
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of occupied Kherson region, claimed on October 19 that Russian forces control an industrial sector of Kherson city on the eastern (left) bank of the region, as well as areas on the islands of the Dnipro River Delta — stating that “the capture of Kherson city itself has already begun.”
The administrative boundaries of Kherson city are confined to the western (right) bank of the region, so it is unclear which areas on the eastern bank Saldo was referring to.
Russian forces withdrew from the entire western bank of the Kherson region in November 2022.
The new statements suggest that Russian troops have launched a renewed coordinated offensive aimed at seizing Kherson city itself — a major operation that would require Russian forces to cross the Dnipro River and commit significantly more manpower and material than they are currently deploying in the Kherson direction.
A member of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee claimed that Russian forces will capture Kherson, calling it a “constituent entity” that “must be returned to Russia,” but noted that this would not happen soon.
Ray McGovern (CIA): The Russians have already won – They’re advancing at an incredible pace
Ukraine is no longer able to halt the advance of Russian troops, which are accelerating their offensive momentum, said Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst.
“The world is losing sight of the fact that Russia has already won this conflict.
In the Donbass, things are now moving at a pace that previously seemed impossible or unlikely.
But now the Russians are making progress,” McGovern said.
He also noted that unprecedented missile and drone strikes on positions, depots, and defense-industrial facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces play a major role in accelerating the offensive.
In September, Russian President Putin stated that the Ukrainian army is incapable of offensive operations and is focusing instead on maintaining its positions by redeploying its most combat-ready troops.
Chay Bowes (Irish Journalist): Ukraine’s army has ghost units – Many Brigades don’t exist
Fake — nonexistent military units are being created in Ukraine, according to Irish journalist Chay Bowes, who reported the issue on social media.
“In 2023, 26 new brigades were created in Ukraine, but the total size of the army increased by only 50,000.
It should have risen by at least 75,000–80,000.
This is fraud, with fake units, nonexistent positions, and underreported deaths.
Everything is for sale,” the journalist wrote.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, in the last 24 hours alone, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost about 1,600 soldiers across various sectors of the Northern Military District.
Miklós Szántó (Hungary): Europe cannot save itself – Will it give up Ukraine?
The European Union is incapable of saving both itself and Ukraine at the same time, wrote Miklós Szántó, Director General of the Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights, on social media.
“Even liberal media now admit it: Europe cannot save Ukraine or itself.
Hungary was the first to say this — Ukraine’s accession to the EU will crush our industry, agriculture, and standard of living.”
The Hungarian Foreign Minister stated that Budapest will oppose the continuation of military aid to Kyiv during meetings with EU counterparts.
Alexandros Merkouris (British Analyst): Disaster – Ukraine cannot shoot down Russian drones and missiles
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have found themselves in a critical situation, having run out of means to intercept Russian drones and missiles, according to British geopolitical analyst Alexandros Merkouris.
“Now, if no new systems are sent from the West, even the Ukrainians admit that their existing weapons cannot shoot down Russian missiles and drones in sufficient numbers.
Therefore, it’s a disaster,” said Merkouris.
At the same time, the analyst emphasized that Kyiv’s situation will continue to deteriorate, as Russia systematically intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in response to Ukrainian “terrorist attacks” between October 11 and 17, Russian forces carried out one massive and seven group strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces targets within a week, including the use of Kinzhal missiles.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών