Ukraine war latest: Pokrovsk's fate hangs in the balance
Editor's note: this was Ukraine war latest for Oct. 29. Read our edition of Ukraine war latest for Oct. 30 here.
Hi, this is Tania Myronyshena reporting from Kyiv on day 1,343 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story:
Russian soldiers have advanced further into the city of Pokrovsk, threatening not only to take the city, but to complete a larger encirclement of the surrounding area, as independent analysts and commanders report a serious deterioration of the Ukrainian position in the area.
The defense of the major city in Donetsk Oblast, which has held out for over a year of heavy fighting as one of the main hotspots of the front line, looks to have begun falling apart as Russian soldiers in their hundreds have broken into the city limits, spreading in all directions.
According to the Ukrainian military, 11,000 Russian troops have been concentrated around Pokrovsk in an attempt to surround the city, with President Volodymyr Zelensky telling journalists on Oct. 27 that Russian forces outnumbered Ukrainian defenders 8 to 1.
Speaking during a visit to a military hospital in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that both Pokrovsk and the embattled city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast were encircled.
In a bizarre comment — especially considering the recent uptick in fatal attacks on journalists near the front line — Putin added that Russian forces would be prepared to cease fire in the respective areas "for a few hours" so that Ukrainian and foreign journalists could enter, speak to Ukrainian soldiers, and "confirm for themselves the state that these surrounded forces are in."
Ukrainian commanders' reports as well as open-source data show that Putin's claim of a complete encirclement is still far from reality, but the situation is undoubtedly highly dynamic and deteriorating for the defending side.
Putin more committed than ever to continuing war, US intelligence report says
Russian President Vladimir Putin is more determined than ever to continue his full-scale war against Ukraine and achieve further military gains, according to a recent U.S. intelligence assessment shared with members of Congress this month, NBC reported on Oct. 28.
The analysis, cited by a senior U.S. official and a senior congressional official, reportedly indicates that Russia shows no willingness to compromise, even as President Donald Trump seeks to launch peace talks.
This assessment aligns with long-standing views held by U.S. and Western intelligence agencies since February 2022, when Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. However, officials now say Putin appears even more entrenched in his goals.
Despite mounting Russian military losses and ongoing economic pressures at home, the intelligence report suggests Putin remains committed to seizing Ukrainian territory in order to justify the immense human and financial costs of the war.
The White House declined to comment on the intelligence findings but referred to the president’s public remarks on efforts to reach a peace deal.
Read the full story at NBC.
Controversial Ukrainian colonel denies sharing 'classified' front-line maps on TikTok
Last updated 8:25 p.m. Kyiv time.
A controversial Ukrainian colonel has been accused by military personnel and volunteers of breaching operational security after releasing a TikTok video where he allegedly displayed internal battlefield maps used by the army.
The video was highlighted on Telegram by Serhii Filimonov, a commander of the 108th Separate Mechanized Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves," who attached screenshots of Colonel Valentin Manko standing in front of a map labeled with blue and red triangles.
"I can't comprehend that this person is being considered as a candidate for the position of commander of the assault troops," Filimonov said in a post on social media on Oct. 26.
The map is said to have shown the front in southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to Ukrainian Telegram channels.
Manko denied the accusation, insisting that the map displayed was not an internal military one and that no sensitive information had been shared. Calling media reports about the scandal "a provocation
British man arrested in Kyiv for 'preparing to commit terrorist attacks,' SBU says
Last updated 5:44 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine's Security Service and counterintelligence investigators have detained an alleged Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agent in Kyiv, who was revealed to be a British citizen, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Oct. 29.
The identity of the British citizen has not been disclosed.
The British citizen arrived in Ukraine at the beginning of 2024 to work as an instructor training newly-mobilized troops. A few months later, he allegedly stopped teaching and began cooperating with Russian intelligence services, reportedly for "easy earnings."
The man offered his services in pro-Kremlin online groups before being recruited by an FSB officer, who assigned him operational tasks, the SBU said, claiming he was "preparing to commit terrorist attacks."
The suspect also passed sensitive information about Ukrainian forces to Russia, including details on foreign instructors and the locations of military training centers in southern Ukraine, according to the Prosecutor General's Office.
Ukraine strikes two oil refineries, gas plant in Russia, military confirms
Last updated 5:42 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces carried out deep-strike attacks overnight on Oct. 29 on two oil refineries and a gas processing facility in Russia, the General Staff and Special Operations Forces Command confirmed.
Russian Telegram channels, citing residents, reported earlier in the day a series of overnight attacks on the country's oil and gas infrastructure.
One of the attacks targeted an oil refinery in the village of Novospasskoye, Ulyanovsk Oblast. The plant handles around 600,000 tons of oil annually, about 0.2% of Russia's total refining capacity, and produces gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, according to the General Staff.
Another strike hit an oil refinery in the village of Tabashino, Mari El Republic, where fires and explosions were reported. The facility has a capacity of 1.3 million tons per year, roughly 0.5% of Russia's total refining output, the report said.
Ukrainian drones also struck a gas processing plant in Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Krai, targeting the production facilities.
Russian artillery strike hits children's hospital in Kherson, 9 injured
Last updated 4:47 p.m. Kyiv time.
A Russian artillery strike on a children's hospital in Kherson injured nine people, including four children, on Oct. 29, the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office reported.
The Russian strike hit the hospital at around 9:20 a.m. local time, when patients, their parents, and medical staff were inside.
Among the injured are three medical workers and a 9-year-old girl who sustained a blast-related injury and shrapnel wounds to her lower leg, according to local authorities.
Most of the other victims suffered blast-related injuries of varying severity. All are receiving medical care, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
The attack caused significant damage to the hospital building, and nearby facilities were also affected by the blast.
Ukraine’s Navy forms full CB90 boat division with aid from Sweden, Norway
Last updated 3:20 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine’s Navy has officially formed a complete division of Combat Boat 90 (CB90) vessels, delivered by Sweden and Norway, Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa announced on Oct. 29.
The delivery marks a significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s naval capabilities, particularly in coastal and riverine operations.
The CB90 is considered one of the best fast assault boats in the world, widely used by several NATO member states for troop transport, patrol, and special operations missions, Neizhpapa said.
The news comes amid growing international support for Ukraine’s naval capabilities. In June, the Netherlands announced a 400 million euros ($440 million) maritime security aid package, including ships, boats, and maritime drones, aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense at sea.
Russia aims to encircle Pokrovsk, military reports
Last updated 1:45 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russian troops are ramping up their infiltration efforts in the frontline city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast as part of a broader attempt to encircle Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military sources reported on Oct. 29.
The 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces said that Russia has committed around 11,000 troops specifically to this offensive axis.
"Enemy units that have infiltrated parts of Pokrovsk are seeking to advance toward the northwest and north of the city," the Corps wrote in an official statement.
Journalist Yuliia Kyriienko shared a video on Facebook allegedly showing a Russian flag placed on a city monument.
"Our troops just sent me this video. A Russian rag on a Pokrovsk stele. You see it with your own eyes. No more words needed. Strength to our Armed Forces," Kyriienko wrote.
Russian forces have been attempting to penetrate Pokrovsk’s defenses since July, methodically probing for weak points, according to DeepState, an open-source intelligence project. Their tactics reportedly involve a combination of infantry assaults, drone reconnaissance, and targeted strikes on Ukrainian defensive positions and supply lines.
Ukraine attacks 2 oil depots, destroys military equipment in Russian-occupied Crimea, SBU source confirms
Last updated 10:29 a.m. Kyiv time.
Drones from the Special Operations Center "A" of the Security Service of Ukraine hit two oil depots in the villages of Hvardiiske and Komsomolske in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on Oct. 29, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.
The attack also destroyed a Pantsir-S2 self-propelled anti-aircraft system, valued at an estimated $20 million, along with two radar stations, the source said.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 105 drones during the night, including eight over Crimea.
At least 7 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least seven people were injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Oct. 29.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 93 out of the 126 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Thirty two strikes were recorded at ten locations.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, two people were injured as a result of Russian attacks on several districts, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, one person was injured due to Russian strikes, according to Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko.
One person was injured as a result of a Russian attack in Odesa Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Kiper.
In Sumy Oblast, three people were injured due to Russian strikes, according to Governor Oleh Hruhorov.
Local authorities reported that the transport, civil infrastructure, and energy facilities of Chernihiv Oblast were targeted. No casualties were reported.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,139,900 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,139,900 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 29.
The number includes 1,150 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,303 tanks, 23,511 armored fighting vehicles, 65,865 vehicles and fuel tanks, 34,064 artillery systems, 1,530 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,230 air defense systems, 428 airplanes, 346 helicopters, 75,367 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
