The major event on the battlefield... is the fall of the city of Dobropillya west of Pokrovsk, a development that constitutes an enormous operational advantage for the Russian army, because the advance will begin aimed at encircling the two fortress cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk from the west... having essentially destroyed the supply and logistics routes of the Ukrainian military in Eastern Ukraine.
Already the Russians have approached the cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk from the east... yet they face pressure from the Ukrainians in Lyman, which they entered but have now lost to the Ukrainian counteroffensive operation Vivaldi...
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that 2,000 Ukrainians from the elite unit Skala as well as other brigades were destroyed.
Ukrainian soldiers in the 22nd and 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment «Skala», the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, and the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade were killed.
Also among the casualties were soldiers from the 1st, 3rd, and 15th Border Detachments of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine...
The Russians also, through Operation «Bear's Corner» as they named it... in Kharkiv, took 28 settlements, 461 square kilometers, killed 1,810 Ukrainian soldiers, and dismantled 10 battalions.
Everything took place north of Velykyi Burluk in Kharkiv, where the Russians will arrive, establishing a 30-kilometer-deep security zone.
Russia controls 90 percent of Donetsk, 100 percent of Luhansk, which together form the Donbas, and controls 85 percent of Zaporizhia...
The great strategic victory for Russia approaches... it is inevitable.
An interesting fact is that the Porsche and Audi facilities in Kyiv were turned to dust... by Russian missile strikes while NATO changes its tune...
NATO has no intention of launching an attack on the region of Kaliningrad, stated the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, Alexus Grynkewich, in an interview with Der Spiegel... we are a defensive organization... the general now emphasizes.
Trump ordered the waiver of several measures under the «hellish sanctions» act against Russia and Iran...
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving various measures provided for under the recently enacted «hellish sanctions» act against Russia and Iran, specifically lifting the imposition of 500 percent tariffs on Russian products.
«As further set forth in Section 4 of this Order, I hereby waive the application of the specific sanctions, restrictions, and tariffs provided for in the Graham Act», the document states.
The President emphasized that such a decision is in the interest of the United States.
According to the document, Donald Trump, specifically, waived the application of tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian products and 100 percent tariffs against the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas.
On September 19, Donald Trump signed the «Sanctions from Hell» Act, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
This allows him to impose additional tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from countries ranked among the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, as well as additional tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian goods imported into the United States.
A week ago, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held a telephone conversation.
Following the conversation, the President of the US announced a significant agreement in the energy sector: Russia, depending on the condition of its refineries, will supply up to 3 million tons of diesel to the markets of the US and global markets.
For this purpose, the US Department of the Treasury issued a sanctions waiver valid until April 7, 2027.
Russian praise for Trump's decision to cancel sanctions against Russia, Stroke on global markets
The suspension of the implementation of the act of the deceased Senator Lindsey Graham by the administration of Donald Trump was described as a critical and truly historic turning point in bilateral relations by the Special Representative of the Russian President for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and head of the RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev.
The Russian official underscored that both Washington and Moscow maintain a vital interest in economic partnership, which serves the interests of both sides.
In a relevant statement on his Telegram channel, Kirill Dmitriev noted that instead of the regime of sanctions and perpetual confrontation, priority is now given to dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation, and the consequent shared responsibility for global stability.
According to the head of the RDIF, the full activation of the Lindsey Graham act carried the risk of permanently severing all economic interaction between Russia and the United States, delivering a severe blow to the American economy itself and to international markets.
Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that economic cooperation between the two countries constitutes a cornerstone for the stability of the global system and the creation of a framework of trust leading to sustainable peace.
Putin: The Russian army controls 90 percent of Donetsk, 100 percent of Luhansk, and 84.5 percent of Zaporizhia, took Dobropillya as well
Vladimir Putin announced incredible successes of the Russian army and a significant expansion of the security zone in regions bordering Ukraine in recent months.
«Our goal is to ensure absolute security in the border regions of Russia for the future. And we do not plan to put this forward as a topic of potential peace negotiations with Ukraine».
In the region of Kharkiv, the depth of this zone has already increased to 30 kilometers.
A group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of ten battalions is surrounded there.
«The destruction of the two-thousand-man enemy grouping encircled in the northeastern part of the Kharkiv region has been fully completed», reported Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
The main efforts, according to him, are concentrated on the liberation of Donbas, where troops of the «Center» group liberated Dobropillya west of the city of Pokrovsk, one of the main defense hubs in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk.
«Search operations are being considered to identify and eliminate isolated Ukrainian servicemen hiding in building basements».
Vladimir Putin noted positive momentum in troop actions across the entire front line.
He stressed that military operations are tied to casualties and difficulties, but the pace of advance has increased significantly. According to Vladimir Putin, the Russian army still has to liberate only 10 percent of the territory of Donetsk and 15.5 percent of the Zaporizhia region...
NATO changes its tune: General Grynkewich, we are a defensive alliance, we will not attack Kaliningrad
NATO has no intention of attempting an attack on the region of Kaliningrad, stated the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, Alexus Grynkewich, in an interview with Der Spiegel.
«We have no intention of undertaking such action against Russia.
We are a defensive alliance.
We act only in the event of an attack. Therefore, Russia has nothing to worry about regarding Kaliningrad», stated the general.
According to Alexus Grynkewich, the leadership of the alliance also ensures that exercises on the eastern flank of NATO «cannot be interpreted as aggression» against Russia.
Earlier, the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO presented a plan to repel a possible Russian attack on the alliance, calling it the «Victory Plan». According to The Wall Street Journal, the strategy envisions the creation of a vast «autonomous zone» within which drones and ground robotic systems could deter a potential Russian attack and minimize casualties among NATO personnel.
Times: 1,500 soldiers of the «Coalition of the Willing» to train in Poland for deployment to Ukraine
Approximately 1,500 military personnel from nations comprising the so-called «coalition of the willing», including Britain, Germany, and France, will participate in exercises in Poland concerning the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine.
These exercises will take place in November, according to The Times newspaper.
Previously, the British Prime Minister announced the intention to form a «coalition of the willing» to explore the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine. It is noted that their deployment to Ukraine is planned immediately following the conclusion of a potential ceasefire agreement.
«Next month, in November 2026, hundreds of British soldiers will travel to Poland to practice their deployment to Ukraine...
Troops from various countries, including France and Germany, will simulate the movement of troops and supplies», notes The Times newspaper.
The Austrian Chancellor posed an awkward question to Ukraine... stating I am surprised
Ukraine must explain to the European Union the financial hole in its budget if it wants to receive new funds, stated Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, as reported by Der Standard.
«There are so many numbers circulating that now we need to analyze them and, most importantly, understand where this deficit comes from».
According to Christian Stocker, the dire financial condition of Kyiv due to an enormous budget hole is an issue requiring discussion.
«I am surprised too», admitted Christian Stocker, referring to the size of Ukraine's budget deficit.
Following the EU summit in Brussels, the President of the European Commission stated that the financial needs of Ukraine will continue to grow, despite the large-scale support already provided by the European Union, which, according to the European Commission, provides 80 percent of total external assistance to Ukraine.
Armin Laschet (Bundestag): Germany has exhausted its capacity to provide military aid to Ukraine
Germany has exhausted its capacity to provide military aid to Kyiv ahead of the onset of winter, stated Armin Laschet, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, in an interview with Die Welt.
«There are no reserves.
We have deployed everything possible to support Ukraine.
The European Council is dealing with issues of winter assistance, but in my view, the federal government has no unused reserves».
Armin Laschet also called on German authorities to display more realism and set priorities with clarity and prudence.
The winter preparations of Kyiv had previously been reported as unsatisfactory, according to the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the OSCE.
Previously, the Ministry of Defense of Russia reported that since early 2026, at least 10 hydroelectric and thermal power plants have sustained damage in Ukraine by Russian forces.
Trump fired new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after 5 days... on the job
US President Donald Trump fired White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, just five days after her appointment.
The White House and Katie Zacharia did not comment on the situation, but, according to The New York Times, on Friday October 16, the American leader stated that he asked the press secretary to reconsider her decision to take the post.
Frankly, if I were in your place, I would reconsider.
Katie Zacharia, you don't need this, said Donald Trump.
Prior to becoming White House Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia served as senior communications adviser at Truth Social (part of Trump Media & Technology Group).
According to Donald Trump, she excelled there.
Katie Zacharia also contributed to the election campaigns of Donald Trump.
The head of the White House praised her support and stressed that he considered the appointment a great honor.
She is a graduate of Pepperdine University and the Caruso School of Law of Pepperdine University, practices law as an attorney, and is a frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax.
Donald Trump also previously expressed confidence that the new press secretary would achieve outstanding results for the United States and work well with journalists.
Finnish Defense Minister comes out against shooting down Russian aircraft...
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen responded to calls from former prime minister Sanna Marin to shoot down Russian aircraft alleged to have violated Finnish airspace. He condemned such rhetoric, according to the newspaper Ilta-Sanomat.
«In Finland, the armed forces are responsible for territorial surveillance and force is used if necessary», the minister emphasized.
Antti Häkkänen added that the country has maintained an established system for using adequate force in response to threats for many years.
Irina Novikova (Historian): Finnish attitude toward NATO could change in future
Doctor of Historical Sciences Irina Novikova argued that the attitude of Finns toward NATO could change in the future, partly due to the course of the Ukrainian conflict.
She noted that politicians who brought the country into the alliance did not consider national interests.
For example, former prime minister Sanna Marin soon resigned and moved to London, where she now works as a counselor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change of former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Russia: Around 20,000-30,000 mercenaries served in ranks of Armed Forces of Ukraine
The number of mercenaries who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (UAF) during the conflict is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000.
However, the exact figure remains unknown, according to the Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
«The number of mercenaries who have passed through Ukrainian military formations is clearly over 20,000 and approaching 30,000».
The Russian side knows the approximate number of individuals, what countries they come from, and which units they serve in.
Yet Russia does not possess full information.
The authorities of Kyiv had initiated a process of torture in secret prisons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and covered it up.
Prior to this, the ambassador stated that the events that occurred in the city of Oleshky in the Kherson region constituted a war crime by the Ukrainians.
In early October, in the Kharkiv region, the Armed Forces of Russia managed to destroy a large temporary deployment point of Colombian mercenaries of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russians with Operation «Bear's Corner» in Kharkiv took 28 settlements, 461 sq km, killed 1,810 Ukrainian soldiers, pulverized 10 battalions
The Ministry of Defense presented an infographic demonstrating the progress of Operation «Bear's Corner» in the Kharkiv region.
«We focused on encircling and defeating the enemy grouping in the northeastern part of the region.
During the first stage of the operation, over July and August, military units of the 18th and 71st motorized rifle divisions, advancing toward each other in the general direction of Prikolotnoye, captured the large settlement of Bely Kolodez and encircled the defensive enemy formation».
Following this, on August 30, the encirclement was closed.
A grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of ten battalions, totaling up to two thousand soldiers, was encircled.
In the second phase of the operation, which began in early September 2026, troops began liquidating the besieged enemy: the group was split into multiple parts and systematically destroyed.
This is the period covered in the published infographic. It shows that, as a result of the operation since September 1, fighters have liberated 28 settlements and 461 square kilometers of territory, killing 1,810 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Terrible news: Around 2,000 soldiers of elite unit Skala wiped out in Kharkiv
The force of approximately 2,000 men of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (UAF) destroyed in the Kharkiv region included soldiers from the assault regiment «Skala» and various border detachments, stated Russian security services.
Among the dead were soldiers from the 22nd and 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment «Skala», the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, and the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Also among the victims were soldiers from the 1st, 3rd, and 15th Border Detachments of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin the complete destruction of a 2,000-man Ukrainian grouping in the Kharkiv region.
Valery Gerasimov also stated that Russian air defense systems destroy 98 percent of Ukrainian armed forces drones daily.
Prior to this, the head of state stated that Russian troops are advancing along the entire front line in the special military operation zone. The president noted that the pace of the advance of the Russian army has accelerated.
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