Kyiv Independent defense reporter Illia Ponomarenko inspires custom-designed LEGO figurines

By infiltrating Ukrainian positions in small infantry groups, Russia has accumulated around 200 troops within Pokrovsk, the General Staff reported. These personnel are engaging in "intense" small arms and drone clashes with Ukrainian troops in the city.

Moscow's Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports have temporarily suspended operations in response to the drone threat.

"Contraband" balloons launched from Belarus have disrupted air traffic four times in the last week. Lithuania has closed border crossings with Belarus for "an indefinite period" in response.

"We bring people together to learn... to educate themselves and to use their voices to speak to their elected officials to support Ukraine," Marianna Tretiak, Chair of the American Coalition for Ukraine (ACU) Board, told the Kyiv Independent.

"It's a unique product that no one else in the world possesses," Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed.

While Ukraine also lacks Western-supplied weapons, soldiers and commanders say shortages of basics — cars, drones and people — make holding back Russia extremely difficult. Even as Kyiv seeks U.S. approval for Tomahawks, they say critical, rudimentary gear is the more pressing need.

Russia faces an increase in the arson and “spontaneous combustion” of electrical panels, railway relay cabinets, and other infrastructure helping Moscow wage its war against Ukraine over the past week, a source at Ukraine’s military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent.

The episode covers Russian war crimes in Pokrovsk and continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, including missile strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv. While Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire with Ukraine, has President Trump finally shifted his approach to Russia?

Ukrainian forces liberated two villages in eastern Donetsk Oblast about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of embattled Pokrovsk, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Oct. 26.

Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv overnight on Oct. 26, killing at least three people, and injuring at least 32 others, including seven children.

At least nine civilians were killed and 44 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on Oct. 26.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said a large group of "smuggling balloons" was launched from Belarus toward Lithuania.

"I've always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

"I think it's very important we have dialogue because President Trump already has done a lot to solve lots of the world conflicts,” Kirill Dmitriev told Fox News on Oct. 25.