Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (R) talks to Dmitry Medvedev, acting deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, at Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace on Dec. 26, 2019. (Mikhail Svetlov / Getty Images)
Dmitry Medvedev, acting deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said Russia would use nuclear weapons "if (Russia) or our allies are attacked with this type of weapon or if aggression with the use of conventional weapons threatens the very existence of our state."
Medvedev added that NATO will never dare to directly intervene in the "conflict" in this scenario because of the fear of "a nuclear apocalypse."
On Sept. 25, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with SBC that U.S. had privately warned Kremlin that any use of nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine would have "catastrophic consequences" for Russia.
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Intercepted calls released by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) suggest a Russian commander ordering his soldiers to shoot civilians near the embattled city of Pokrovsk.
"I hope your brave compatriot, Major Magyar, finally succeeds in knocking out the oil pipeline that feeds Putin's war machine and you get your oil via Croatia," Sikorski told Szijjarto on X.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Zelensky are meeting in the city of Linkoping, home to the defense company Saab, which produces Gripen fighter jets and other arms.
Former U.S. Ambassador Steven Pifer discusses recent U-turn in U.S. President Trump’s policy on Ukraine following a phone call with Putin. Pifer says that Trump can still end Russia’s war if he starts using leverage on Moscow but argues that, regardless, Ukraine and Europe should assume they will have to manage the conflict without U.S. support.
Russian air defenses intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones overnight and into the morning of Oct. 22, including eight over Dagestan, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. No drones were reportedly shot down over Mordovia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also do not plan to meet in person in the near future, though they held a "productive" call on Oct. 20, a State Department spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent.
The Bryansk Chemical Plant produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components for the Russian military. It has been sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K.
