Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
The aftermath of Russian strikes in Zaporizhzhia Oblast between overnight on Oct. 16, 2023. (Governor Yurii Malashko/Telegram)
Russian forces struck Ukraine with a number of different weapons systems over the past day, injuring seven, regional authorities reported on Oct. 16.
In Poltava Oblast, air defenses shot down Russian missiles and drones, and although no civilian infrastructure was directly hit, missile debris damaged several homes. As a result of the attacks in Poltava Oblast, three were injured, including a ten-year-old child, Governor Philip Pronin said.
Russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia Oblast almost 140 times in 23 different places, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yurii Malashko reported. A variety of weapons systems were used, including artillery, missiles, drones, and air strikes.
As a result of shelling in the village of Mala Tokmachka, a 76-year-old woman was injured. A number of buildings were also damaged in the attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Russian forces struck Kherson Oblast almost 100 times, using tanks, artillery, missiles, air strikes, drones, and other weapons systems, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. The city of Kherson was shelled 40 times. As a result of the strikes in Kherson Oblast, one person was injured.
Russian attacks overnight on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast damaged apartments, shops, and other civilian buildings, Governor Serhii Lysak said.
One missile was shot down by Ukraine's air defenses. Another hit the area around the regional capital of Dnipro, Lysak said, without providing further details.
Russian forces attacked several different locations in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A 65-year-old woman was injured after shelling of the village of Borova. In the village of Kamianka, a 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after stepping on a mine.
Russian attacks also damaged civilian infrastructure in the villages of Hlushkivka, Vovchansk, Cherneschyna, and Yurchenkove.
Mortar fire hit the Krasnopil community in Sumy Oblast, the regional military administration said, but no casualties were reported.
Missiles and drones hit Kirovohrad Oblast, Governor Andrii Raikovych said, injuring one.
Overnight on Oct. 16, Ukraine's Air Force also reported that Russian forces had launched one Iskander missile, five Kh-59 guided air missiles, and 12 Shahed-type drones. Two of the Kh-59 missiles and 11 of the drones were intercepted by Ukraine's air defenses.
Nate Ostiller is a former News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. He works on special projects as a researcher and writer for The Red Line Podcast, covering Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and focused primarily on digital misinformation, memory politics, and ethnic conflict. Nate has a Master’s degree in Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasgow, and spent two years studying abroad at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. Originally from the USA, he is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Alexander Khrebet
