The Russian soldiers are believed to belong to the 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, which is operating in the area. Kravchuk alleged that orders of this nature within the brigade are issued at the initiative of its commander, Colonel Valery Kazak.

Local residents gathered on Oct. 17 in front of the city council to demand that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko step down from the post he has occupied for over 12 years. "Kyiv without Klitschko," hundreds of protesters chanted as they took to the streets in central Kyiv, according to Kyiv Independent reporters on the ground. The rally lasted over two hours. Kyiv's failure to prepare for the coming winter amid Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, coupled with broader mismanagement, were the

"Today, this is fully under Europe's control. That means (Russian assets) are safe for now," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine has secured contracts and assurances from partners on additional supplies of F-16 ammunition, Zelensky noted, adding that the current deliveries were at a "satisfactory level."

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on oct. 17 U.S. President Donald Trump was "wrong" to further "block" sanctions against Russia, while expressing hope that he would do "everything possible" to stop the full-scale war.

Zelensky called the restrictions a "planned operation" targeting Ukraine, noting that Starlink speed limits remain in effect in Ukraine but not in EU countries.

Since President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the resumption of strikes on Oct. 15, Kyiv has not reported any new attacks on Russian oil refineries or confirmed reports of such strikes.

Ukrainian forces downed 289 out of the 332 drones, including jet-powered attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Russian drones and ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23 model struck 22 different locations, and debris fell in three areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a broad waiver of sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on Oct. 16.

Zelensky asked EU leaders for an additional 70 billion euros to help cover Ukraine's defense and "resilience" needs in 2027, as Kyiv grapples with a budget shortfall amid escalating Russian attacks.

"Republicans and Democrats passed this law in Lindsey Graham's name to squeeze Russia's war revenues. Trump has now hollowed it out before its main sanctions could bite," said Alexander Kirk, a sanctions campaigner at Urgewald.

The number includes 1,950 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Where heating is available, many cannot afford to adequately heat their homes. Only 32% of households reported being able to do so during the last heating season, a figure that dropped to just 1% in frontline regions.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency announced restrictions at three of Moscow's four major airports, while the Transportation Ministry said the region's aviation operations were under "special monitoring."

"It would be simply wrong to split us apart on our way into the EU — I hope not. Morally wrong," President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders.

"This deal won't lower costs for the American people, who are already paying for Trump's failed war of choice in Iran. It will hand Putin millions of dollars to continue slaughtering Ukrainian civilians with impunity."

Four sources familiar with the discussion said that Elon Musk approached U.S. President Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Ukraine's Starlink service on the battlefield.

The balancing act of Bulgaria's Moscow-friendly leader stands on shaky ground. Since taking office in May, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has taken a harsh line on Ukraine while adopting steps his critics say are accommodating to Moscow. Radev's course has now come under scrutiny as Bulgaria, a southeastern NATO member state, feels first-hand the spillover of Russia's war against Ukraine. Four merchant vessels were hit by drones near Bulgaria's Black Sea coast in October. Two of the ves

Key developments on Oct. 16: * Drone attack sparks fire at industrial facility in Russia's Surgut district, governor says * Pope Leo urges Putin to allow humanitarian aid, evacuations from Russian-occupied Oleshky * Ukrainian military strikes million-dollar Russian radar in Krasnodar Krai, General Staff claim * Zelensky's ask: 300 Patriot missiles, 70 billion euros, and Russian assets * Emergency blackouts in Kyiv, as Klitschko announces start of heating season A fire broke out at an indu

The pope called for a local ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the safe evacuation of civilians from the front-line city, where around 2,000 residents remain trapped amid severe shortages of food and medicine.

Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi raised the issue during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine Fatma Ceren Yazgan earlier this week.

A lunchtime drone attack on the head office of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv's downtown on Sept. 28, 2026, might have come as a shock to scientists based outside the country. Unfortunately, for Ukrainian scientists, those who can be seen climbing down the ladders from the burning building, such attacks are part of the daily routine. As documented in the UNESCO report from 2024, over 30% of Ukraine's research infrastructure has been damaged by the Russian attacks, and its insti

"This step shows our commitment to supporting Ukraine's path to EU membership," the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.

Why is Putin pushing Trump to stop Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries? Historian and journalist Anne Applebaum argues that these attacks are putting real pressure on Moscow — and that Trump’s approach risks giving Russia more time to continue its war against Ukraine.

De Wever said that Ukraine urgently needed the fighter jets, as they were one of the few weapons capable to strike Russian jet-powered drones.

"Without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions Putin would have gone much further by now," Zelensky said, before calling on the bloc to double down on its support.

On Oct. 16, 63 lawmakers registered a draft resolution calling on the government to reverse its changes, consult with businesses, and reconsider a proposed "coordination center" overseeing the exemption system.

Ukrainian activist and volunteer Serhii Sternenko claimed the facility was the Surgut Condensate Stabilization Plant, which processes gas condensate and produces petroleum products.

"I am standing up for Ukraine's interests solely and the people of Ukraine. We were attacked, we were occupied, our people were killed," Zelensky said when asked to comment on Trump's latest attacks against him.

"It will all come down to the banking system, individual people, and the chemical industry," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Europe's far-right parties grow increasingly divided on something that once united them — sympathies for Vladimir Putin's Russia. As nationalists and right-wing populists across Western Europe move closer to power, many are seeking to distance themselves from their past admiration for a country waging Europe's largest war since 1945 while conducting hybrid attacks against much of the continent. Despite finding common ground on dislike of liberalism, NATO, and the EU, Europe's far right is bein

"We see the Ukrainian parliament's adoption of the minority education law and the immediate start of its implementation as a first step towards rebuilding mutual trust," Magyar said on X after the meeting.