US sanctions Iranian drone producers
The United States imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and eight entities connected with Iran's drone program, including those responsible for producing drones used in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Abbey Fenbert
Articles
Drone strike damages infrastructure in Sumy
No casualties were reported. The Sumy Oblast military administration did not specify which type of infrastructure facility suffered damage in the attack.
Missile attack on Mykolaiv Oblast kills 2, injures 1
Russian forces launched a missile attack at 8:30 p.m. local time, destroying a catering facility. Rescuers recovered two victims from the rubble, Ukraine's Internal Affairs Ministry confirmed.
Putin arrives in China
This marks Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's second trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
ISW: Russian forces make marginal gains near Avdiivka
Citing geolocated footage, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian troops advanced three kilometers south of Avdiivka, though the pace of assault has slowed.
Zelensky holds call with Finnish president
The leaders discussed the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and President Zelensky's peace formula.
3 drones shot down over Belgorod Oblast, governor says
At around 11 p.m. local time on Oct. 16, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the drones were shot down near the city of Belgorod and the Yakovlevsky District.
Zelensky, Trudeau discuss evacuation of Ukrainians from Gaza
President Zelensky said that he and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were "in constant contact," and thanked Trudeau for "his willingness to help with the evacuation of our people from the Gaza Strip."
AP: Putin's visit to China signals necessity of Beijing's economic support
Putin told reporters on Oct. 13 that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will discuss their nations' deepening economic ties during the Belt and Road Forum.
ISW: Russia tones down rhetoric about Avdiivka offensive
Facing heavy losses and stalled momentum in their attempt to encircle Avdiivka, Russian forces made no territorial gains on Oct. 15, while the Russian information space changed its tone regarding the offensive.
ISW: Russian offensive in Avdiivka faces 'setbacks'
Ukrainian forces in the area continued to repel Russian attacks and used minefields to hinder Russian advances toward the city, the ISW reported.
IOC president: Russian members don't support war in Ukraine, won't be banned
IOC President Thomas Bach said the committee's two Russian members, Yelena Isinbayeva and Shamil Tarpischev, will not be penalized because they have no ties to Russia's military and do not support the war against Ukraine.
IAEA: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to move second reactor into hot shutdown
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said authorities at the plant informed the agency they were beginning to move reactor 5 from cold to hot shutdown in order to provide warm water and heating for Enerhodar ahead of the winter season.
Putin denies Russian sabotage of Finland-Estonia gas pipeline
Putin told reporters in Kyrgyzstan that the notion was "complete rubbish" and said he did not even know the pipeline existed. He also suggested the damage could have been caused by an earthquake.
Russia shells 8 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces launched multiple attacks against the Sumy Oblast border on Oct. 13, striking eight communities and causing 237 explosions. No casualties were reported.
Fire breaks out at gas pipeline in occupied Donetsk Oblast
A massive fire broke out at a gas pipeline in Kuteinykove in occupied Donetsk Oblast on Oct. 14.
Politico: Blinken warns Azerbaijan may invade Armenia
In a conference call on Oct. 3, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned a select group of lawmakers that Azerbaijan may be planning to invade southern Armenia in the coming weeks.
Russia shells 9 communities in Sumy Oblast, injuring 1
A 68-year-old woman in Druzhba was hospitalized after being wounded in the attacks. No further casualties were reported.
Debris from drone kills 2, injures 2 in Belgorod Oblast, Russia claims
Shortly after midnight on Oct. 12, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that Russian air defense shot down a drone en route to the city of Belgorod. Falling debris caused a fire to break out in a house, killing two and injuring two others.
Fico forms coalition government, set to be next Slovak prime minister
The coalition government will be made up of Fico's populist SMER party, the left-wing Hlas party, and the ultra-nationalist pro-Russian Slovak National Party. SMER now has the right to appoint the next prime minister, paving the way for Fico to take office again.
Biden plans to bundle Ukraine, Taiwan, and border funding in Israel aid package
Combining the funding requests is a strategy the administration hopes will win more support in Congress, where aid to Ukraine has become a contentious issue in recent weeks.
Russian shelling in Nikopol injures woman
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said that a 78-year-old woman was injured in heavy shelling during the night.
Governor claims 2 drones shot down over Bryansk Oblast
Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz said the drones were shot down over the region's Surazhsky district. No casualties or damage were reported.
IAEA chief: 'Direct attack' most serious risk to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
President Volodymyr Zelensky promised Grossi that Ukrainian troops would never launch such an attack in their efforts to liberate the facility from Russian occupation.
Umerov, Belgian defense minister discuss F-16s
The defense ministers also spoke about the upcoming Ramstein summit and next meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
Russian media: Palestinian president to visit Moscow
Abdel Hafiz Nofal, Palestine's ambassador to Russia, reportedly said that plans for President Mahmoud Abbas' visit are underway, but the date has not been set.
ISW: Ukrainian troops advance as weather worsens
Ukrainian forces reported that the counteroffensive gained ground west of Verbove (18 kilometers south of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast) and near Klishchiivka and Andriivka, southwest of Bakhmut.
UN official visits Moscow for talks on grain exports
U.N. trade official Rebeca Grynspan spoke with officials in Moscow, hoping to ensure global food markets "unimpeded access" to grain shipments from Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine to provide housing for 2,400 veterans
"One of the main needs that veterans have now is housing. This year, 2,400 families will be provided with housing," Veterans' Affairs Minister Yuliia Laputina said.
Russia attacks 6 communities in Sumy Oblast
The Russian military launched 10 attacks, striking the border settlements of Znob-Novhorodske, Seredyna-Buda, Khotin, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, and Putyvl.
Biden may seek $100 billion aid package for Ukraine
The White House hopes that a "one-and-done" funding package will bypass the deadlock with congressional Republicans and free up enough aid for Ukraine to last until the 2024 presidential election.
Ukraine awards Global Teacher Prize to 5 educators
The prize recognizes outstanding educators in five separate categories, and has been granted to teachers in Ukraine since 2017. The winners receive a grant of one million hryvnias to devote to educational initiatives.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
