General Staff: Russia has lost 674,270 troops since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,420 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Russia
High-ranking GRU officer shot dead in Moscow Oblast, Russian media reports
Nikita Klenkov, a deputy commander of a unit for Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU), was shot dead in Moscow Oblast by an unknown assailant, Russian state-controlled media reported on Oct. 16.
UK investigating whether Russia planted incendiary device that caused parcel fire at warehouse, Guardian reports
U.K. counter-terrorism officials are investigating whether Russian intelligence officers planted an incendiary device inside a parcel that caught fire at a warehouse near Birmingham, the Guardian reported on Oct. 16. The parcel, which engulfed in flames at a DHL warehouse on July 22, is believed to have been transported to the location on an airliner.
Russia has reportedly made gains in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Should Ukraine expect a broader offensive?
Fears of a larger Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast are growing as Russian forces have reportedly made progress along the border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and intensified air strikes on the regional capital. "If they achieve a breakthrough, Russia will be able to fire at logistical routes connecting Zaporizhzhia
SBU arrests Ukrenergo security head for allegedly justifying Russia's war, supporting murder of civilians
The media outlet RBC-Ukraine reported, citing unnamed sources, that the individual in question was Oleh Hrybenko, who is reportedly responsible for maintaining the security of critical infrastructure facilities.
Scholz says he is open to talk to Putin about peace in Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin "if asked" but stressed that no decisions would be made without the input of Ukraine or other Western allies.
Opinion: Pakistan can’t walk the tightrope between Russia and the West forever
Imran Khan, cricket star and then-prime minister of Pakistan, visited Russia on Feb. 23-24, 2022 – the first visit by a Pakistani leader to Russia in over two decades. On the second day of his visit, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some political analysts suspected that Khan’s visit
Ukraine approves 'electronic warfare resistant' domestic-made Chaklun drone for military use
The drone can help adjust artillery fire and is resistant to Russian electronic warfare means thanks to "high-tech materials," the Defense Ministry said.
Kazakhstan won't seek BRICS membership 'in the foreseeable future'
Kazakhstan's president has "carefully considered" proposals to join BRICS but Astana will not seek to join the group "in the foreseeable future," a government spokesperson told Tengrinews.kz in an interview published on Oct. 16.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Ukraine braces for winter freeze
The following is the Oct. 15, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Ukraine is set to face its toughest winter since the start of the invasion as Russia eyes cutting
Ukraine reportedly reclaims territory in north of Kharkiv Oblast, almost entire Russian regiment destroyed
According to HUR, Ukrainian soldiers captured a Russian battalion defense area, destroyed three motorized rifle battalions, a Storm platoon, and a reconnaissance company of Russia's Seventh Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment.
Russia’s war economy could be boosted by Middle East conflict, experts say
Saudi Arabia’s planned oil production hike may not break Russia’s petro-export-fueled economy, but escalations between Israel and Iran could be a gold rush for Moscow. Since late 2022, the OPEC oil cartel, of which Russia is a member, has withheld oil production and exports to prevent a surplus
51 of 136 Russian drones downed in mass overnight attack on Ukraine, Air Force says
Sixty drones were "lost" due to electronic warfare in a number of regions, while 20 more drones were flying over Ukraine at the time of publication, according to the statement. Two more drones flew back toward Russia.
'New level of desperation' — US 'concerned' by reports of North Korean soldiers joining Russia in Ukraine
"Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine," White House National Council spokesperson Sean Savett said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 672,850 troops since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,450 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Governor orders mandatory evacuation from Kupiansk
Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov announced on Oct. 15 that local authorities would conduct mandatory evacuations of residents living in the city of Kupiansk, as well as three adjacent communities, amid ongoing Russian advances in the region.
Spain seizes 13 tons of chemicals, including 'possible' chemical weapon precursors, bound for Russia
Spanish police seized a total of 13 tons of prohibited chemicals, including "possible" chemical weapon precursors, bound for Russia on Oct. 15, the national police announced.
Over 80% of young Germans fear war in Europe, poll suggests
In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 81% of young German respondents expressed concern about the possibility of war in Europe, a sharp rise from 46% in 2019.
European Council's Michel invites Zelensky to present victory plan at EU Summit
European Council President Charles Michel announced on Oct. 15 that he had invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to present his victory plan for defeating Russia at a summit of EU leaders this week.
Trump declines to say if he’s spoken to Putin since leaving office, media reports
Former President Donald Trump on Oct. 15 declined to confirm if he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office in 2021 but said, "If I did, it’s a smart thing."
This is how North Korean troops could be used in Russia’s war in Ukraine
Russia's war in Ukraine may have reached a new stage this week, with reports that North Korea has moved from supplying Moscow with weapons to sending its own troops. A Western diplomat familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent on Oct. 15 Pyongyang has sent 10,000 soldiers to
Ukraine war latest: North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia, Western source says
Key developments on Oct. 15: * North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia, Western source says * Russia may resume strikes on Ukraine's energy sector in autumn, winter, official warns * 'No intact buildings left' in Toretsk, accelerating Russian advance, military says * US lawmakers pressuring Zelensky to lower mobilization age, Presidential
18 North Korean soldiers already deserted positions by Ukraine's border, intelligence sources tell Suspilne
According to Suspilne's sources, the North Korean soldiers deserted around 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the border with Ukraine.
North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia, Western source says
As Russia and North Korea deepen military ties, Western diplomats and experts stress that it shows Moscow's increasing need for resources to continue waging its costly war in Ukraine.
Gaming platform Steam agrees to remove banned content in Russia, censorship agency says
Steam, which has an online catalog of more than 100,000 games and is used by around 130 million users around the world, including close to 10 million in Russia, agreed to comply with legislation, the federal censorship agency Roskomnadzor told Interfax.
NATO will do what's necessary for Ukraine to prevail, Secretary General Rutte says
"The message (to Russian President Vladimir Putin) is that we will continue, that we will do what's necessary to make sure that he will not get his way, that Ukraine will prevail," Mark Rutte said during a joint interview with Reuters and German radio Hessischer Rundfunk on Oct. 13.
Opinion: The Russian opposition needs to stop blaming Putin and start confronting Russia's violent imperial legacy
“What’s the point of a world without Russia in it?” asked a well-known politician, now a wanted war criminal, back in 2018. A less prominent Russian figure echoed this sentiment in 2024, though less threateningly, when he remarked, “The disintegration of Russia would be a catastrophe, not only for
Hungary wants to increase gas purchases from Russia's Gazprom in 2025
Budapest and Russia's state-owned gas company Gazprom are in talks on additional purchases of gas next year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview with Kremlin-run RIA Novosti published on Oct. 15.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 5, injure at least 34 over past day
Ukrainian forces downed 12 out of 17 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Seven S-300/400 missiles were also fired against Mykolaiv Oblast and two Kh-59 missiles against Chernihiv Oblast overnight.
Russia may resume strikes on Ukraine's energy sector in autumn, winter, official warns
"With the start of the 'heating season,' we can expect massive Russian strikes on the energy sector," said Oleksandr Lytvynenko, National Security and Defense Council Secretary.
'No intact buildings left' in Toretsk, accelerating Russian advance, military says
"Now the town looks more like a desert planet: there are no shelters for civilians or soldiers," said Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk.
Trump implies Putin told him about his designs for Ukraine
"It (Ukraine) was the apple of his eye; he used to talk about it. But I said, 'You're not going in, and he wasn't going in," Donald Trump said on Oct. 14.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
