UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
Russian claims of an alleged “blocking” of Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk do not reflect reality, Syrskyi said.
In Pokrovsk, enemy infantry is massing in urban areas, avoiding direct clashes and frequently changing positions. The primary task is to detect and destroy these groups, the commander-in-chief emphasized.
He reported that measures are underway to strengthen defence stability in the Pokrovsk direction.
Syrskyi said every commander, at every level, must ensure high-quality execution of tasks. He warned against irresponsibility and vowed to take strict measures, up to removal from office. [hints of serious problems]
Intelligence has provided the first detailed assessments of the impact of new Western sanctions on the Russian military machine, — President Zelenskyy.
“We are recording significant losses for the Russian Federation from the sanctions already applied to oil companies and predict that, if principled and consistent pressure on Moscow continues, their annual losses from the recently imposed restrictions alone will reach at least $50 billion,” the president noted.
He also announced further sanctions steps from partners, saying that corresponding signals have already been received.
“The volumes of oil supplies from Arab states to the global market can certainly prevent any destabilization or price spikes that the Russians fear,” Zelenskyy added.
🤬⚛️The IAEA reported that Russian forces attacked key substations supporting the operation of Ukrainian-controlled nuclear power plants.
As a result, the power output of at least one plant was reduced.
The Pivdennoukrainsk and Khmelnytskyi NPPs lost access to one of their external power transmission lines, while the IAEA team at the Rivne NPP said the plant had to reduce the output of two of its four power units.
✈️ Russia has resumed flights to its Khmeimim air base in Syria after a six-month pause, Bloomberg reports.
At least two Russian military aircraft — an Il-62M and an An-124-100 — have flown to Latakia, where the Khmeimim base is located. According to Flightradar24, the An-124 made three flights between October 24 and 29.
A Bloomberg source confirmed the resumption of air traffic with Syria. Moscow uses its bases in Latakia and Tartus to project power in the Middle East and Africa.
Russia also plans to deliver 100,000 tons of Arctic oil and condensate to the Syrian port of Baniyas. Meanwhile, Syrian diplomats are in Moscow preparing to resume the work of the embassy and consular services.
Russian oil exports have dropped to their lowest level since 2022, Bloomberg reports, as refinery shutdowns and tightening sanctions have caused a sharp decline in the country’s energy trade.
🇩🇪 German Development Minister Rima Alabali-Radovan arrived in Kyiv to encourage German companies to invest in Ukraine and support its recovery.
🇩🇪⚖️ A Russian citizen and two accomplices have been convicted in Germany for spying for the Russian Federation.
According to Reuters, German citizen of Russian origin Dieter S. was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage, planning sabotage, and participating in a terrorist organization.
Two of his accomplices received suspended sentences of 12 and 6 months. The defendants pleaded not guilty, calling their actions a “joke.”
Prosecutors said Dieter S. had been spying on Germany’s military infrastructure since late 2023 and acted with the help of his accomplices before being arrested.
The court determined that their goal was to sow fear and influence political decisions supporting Ukraine. It was also confirmed that Dieter S. fought on the side of pro-Russian militants in Donbas in 2014–2016.
Another Russian oil refinery has halted operations. The Ilsky Oil Refinery (KNGK-Holding) announced a temporary shutdown of some production capacity.
The refinery cited “scheduled equipment repairs and maintenance,” while industry sources point to difficulties with product sales and reduced refining volumes. Sanctions, the challenging economic situation, and delays in equipment modernization have affected operations, and restoring full production could take several months. No official timeline for resumption has been provided. The suspension may impact regional fuel markets and supply logistics.
Hungary has blocked the EU’s joint statement condemning repeated flights of Belarusian balloons over Lithuanian territory, Euractiv reports.
Lithuania has called the balloon launches a form of “hybrid warfare” and was forced to suspend air traffic and later close its border. [.....]
The balloons are mainly used to smuggle cheap Belarusian cigarettes, later sold in the EU at higher prices. The Belarusian opposition claims profits from this black market fund Lukashenko’s regime.
Lithuania has recorded over 540 airspace violations this year and has authorized its army to shoot down balloons.
Slovakia will not give a single cent to finance military support for Ukraine — Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“I will not sign any guarantee for financing Ukraine regarding military spending in 2026 and 2027.
It is absurd that Europe buys weapons from the US with European money and then transfers them to Ukraine.
If someone wants to buy ammunition or weapons from us — please buy, but we will not give anything to anyone. If we were more united within the EU, we would jointly promote products useful for the entire Union and could save a lot of money,” — Fico told Dennik N.
🪖 Ukraine has identified 654 fighters from the Wagner and Redut PMCs who fought for Russia against the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
More than 70 searches are underway in Ukraine and Moldova. Police have uncovered recruitment sites, training bases, commanders, and evidence of participation in combat operations.
Law enforcement officers have also gathered proof of war crimes — executions of civilians and prisoners, and the use of prohibited weapons.
Charges have been filed against 11 Ukrainian citizens who fought for Russia within these PMCs.
Ukrainian police shared data on over 280 foreign mercenaries with law enforcement agencies in other countries via Europol and Interpol. The information was sent to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For the first time, sufficient evidence has been gathered to prosecute a foreigner for mercenary activity — a Moldovan citizen who fought in Bakhmut with Wagner and received a medal from the Russian Federation.
The EU is ready to expand sanctions against Belarus for violating Lithuanian airspace, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. [...]
She noted that these provocations contradict Lukashenko’s statements about wanting to improve relations with the EU.
According to Kallas, the Belarusian balloons disrupted air traffic, caused financial losses for travelers and airports, and posed a threat to civil aviation.
The diplomat expressed full solidarity with Lithuania and other EU countries targeted by Belarusian hybrid attacks.
Minister of Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Kuleba shared footage of the aftermath of a Russian attack on railway infrastructure.
According to him, a Ukrzaliznytsia depot in Sumy, where passenger cars are serviced and inspected, was damaged. A Sumy–Kyiv train was destroyed, though no company employees were injured.
A drone also hit a high-rise building in Sumy, setting five apartments on fire and injuring 12 people. Train services in Lozova are experiencing delays.
Eleven people, including four children, were injured in a Russian attack on Sumy on Thursday evening, the Sumy Regional State Emergency Service reported.
A drone strike on a nine-story building caused fires in five apartments and seven balconies on the upper floors.
🥺 An elderly couple walked 16 km from Torske to Lyman in the Donetsk region.
Their house burned down during shelling, and they spent three days hiding in the cellar without food. When the shelling stopped, they barely escaped the basement — everything was gone. The couple decided to reach their son-in-law in Lyman. They left at 9 a.m. and arrived around 2 p.m., stopping along the way as the woman suffered a heart attack. They walked the entire distance holding onto their bicycles, and the woman was barefoot because her boots had rubbed her feet.
Police officers from the White Angel unit found them on the road and evacuated them to safety, where Red Cross representatives were waiting.
Fierce fighting continues in Torske. Residents remain in basements, while evacuation requests are growing due to intensified attacks and the threat of drone strikes.