Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech Wednesday evening that Ukrainian forces are holding up against Russian attacks, especially in parts of the Donbass.
“The situation on the front line hasn’t changed much,” he said. “The fiercest fighting will be in the Donetsk region, [the cities of] Bakhmut and Avdiyivka”.
He added that the Russian army’s continuous attempts to capture the key city of Bakhmut were to no avail.
“This is where the madness of the Russian command is most evident. Day after day, for months, they are killing people there and concentrating the highest level of artillery fire,” the president said.
As for the rest of the front, Zelensky did not give details, but “we are strengthening positions across the front, weakening the aggressor’s capabilities, destroying logistics and preparing good news for Ukraine.” said.
Other major headlines for the war in Ukraine on Wednesday, October 26 are:
Putin oversees nuclear deterrence training
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the training of Moscow’s strategic deterrent, the Kremlin said Wednesday.
“Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, ground, sea and air strategic deterrent training sessions were held during which actual ballistic and cruise missile launches took place,” the Russian government said in a statement. rice field.
The exercises included missile launches from the eastern Kamchatka Peninsula and the Barents Sea in the Arctic.
The Strategic Force is tasked with responding to nuclear threats. Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of preparing to use “dirty bombs” containing nuclear material, and Russian officials have repeatedly urged the West to denounce Moscow’s nuclear weapons in response to Western support for Ukraine. has reminded me of
Earlier last week, NATO conducted its own nuclear deterrence exercises in Belgium, the UK and the North Sea. The Alliance said the exercises were “regular regular training activities” and “not related to current world events.”
UNESCO Watching damage to Ukraine’s cultural heritage
United UNESCO, the national cultural institution, Track damage done to Ukrainian cultural heritage Sites since the Russian invasion using satellite imagery.
of Government agencies have already confirmed damage to over 200 sites, including 88 religious sites, 15 museums, 76 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 18 monuments, and 10 libraries.
these are They were mainly located in the eastern regions of Ukraine (Donetsk, Kharkov, Luhansk) and the capital, Kyiv.
none According to the platform, one of Ukraine’s seven “World Heritage Sites” has suffered damage.
Russian forces struggled in weeks before pulling out of northeast Ukraine: report
Reuters news reviewed more than 1,000 pages of documents left behind by Russian officers after a disorderly retreat from the Ukrainian town of Balakriya in the Kharkiv region last month.
A report released Wednesday shows the inner workings of the Russian military and the mindset of Russian personnel before they rushed to withdraw from their positions in northeastern Ukraine.
Weeks before the defeat, the Russian army was suffering from surveillance and electronic warfare. Their forces were also depleted by the end of August, suffering from deaths, desertions and combat stress.
The two units, representing about one-sixth of the total strength, were operating at 20% of the total strength, the report said.
Reuters also documented reports of a breakdown in morale and discipline among units.
German president says previous snubs don’t matter
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, speaking to DW from Ukraine, said the previous scrutiny he faced over his visit to Ukraine was unimportant.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. Our responsibility is bigger than being upset or taking issue with the revoked invitation weeks and months ago. We are on the side of Ukraine. I’m here to show that I will stand still and continue to support Ukraine economically, politically and “militarily,” he told DW.
He said Germany is focused on providing air defense systems. “We just had a phone call last week from Mr Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, and from Mr Zelensky to confirm that this is the right support at this time.”
He said Germany has already delivered 30 Gepard anti-aircraft artillery tanks and several rocket systems, with the delivery of two more air defense systems ready to cross the border.
Steinmeier said one of the air defense systems delivered to Ukraine is very modern and is not yet in service with the Bundeswehr.
He said he was not surprised by the dangers he faced in Ukraine – where he was forced to retreat to an air-raid shelter.
“We weren’t unprepared. We know what country we’re coming to,” he said.
“We know we are coming to a country at war and this is our daily life because this morning we had to have our first conversation with the people of Korikivka, a small town northwest of Kyiv, in an air raid shelter. It was clear.”
US imposes sanctions on ‘Russian influence campaign’ in Moldova
The US has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in Russia’s “influence campaign” in Moldova.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, sanctioned individuals include “widely recognized for capturing and corrupting Moldovan political and economic institutions, as well as those acting as instruments of Russia’s global influence campaign. “Including Moldovan and Russian officials.
Among those sanctioned is Vladimir Plakhotnyuk, who has accused Washington of manipulating “major departments of the Moldovan government, including law enforcement, elections and the judiciary.”
Moldova is engaged in a territorial dispute with Moscow over the Trans-Dniester region, a secession state controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
Protesters have been demonstrating against pro-European Moldovan president Maia Sandu in Chisinau in recent weeks amid rising inflation and concerns over whether Moldova will be able to secure energy supplies. Sandu accused the protesters of belonging to a “criminal group”.
In June, Moldova was awarded EU candidate status alongside neighboring Ukraine.
Britney Griner’s Prisoner Swap Talks Must Be Confidential — Kremlin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said discussions about a possible swap involving US basketball star Britney Griner had to be kept confidential.
Asked about a potential prisoner exchange with the United States, Mr. Peskov said, “I always say that any communication regarding a potential exchange must be strictly confidential.”
A Russian court on Tuesday rejected Griner’s appeal to a nine-year prison sentence. The basketball star was arrested on drug smuggling and possession charges over cannabis oil found in his luggage upon landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.
U.S. officials said they were working toward the return of Mr. Griner and other imprisoned U.S. citizens, and submitted a proposal to that effect to Moscow. In response, Russian officials urged Washington to limit discussions to confidential talks.
At least 70,000 people in Kherson have left their homes – Russian-backed official
In the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, at least 70,000 people have left their homes in a week, said Vladimir Sardo, leader of the Russian-held region.
“In the week since the crossing was organized, I believe more than 70,000 people have left,” he said on local television.
The Russian-installed regime in the region is working to transport people from the city of Kherson to the left bank of the Dnieper ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive.
EU urges coordinated arms purchases to replenish stocks
The European Union has urged bloc defense ministers to coordinate arms purchases as member states seek replenishment of supplies.
EU countries are working to replenish their arms arsenals following the shipment of arms to Kyiv.
“There is an urgent need to restore the readiness of European forces and replenish depleted stocks,” said Stijn Mols, head of the European Union’s foreign affairs department for security and defense.
“Now is the perfect time for all of us to put aside these longstanding … national interests,” Morse said, urging coordinated purchases. rarely.
Mors said European countries need air and missile defense, anti-tank and artillery systems, and drones.
European Commission defense official Timo Pessonen said the bloc was lagging behind other world powers and called for an increase in defense spending. Pessonen said EU defense investment has increased by 22% in his 20 years, compared to 66% in the US, nearly 300% in Russia and more than 600% in China.
Mercedes-Benz sells Russian assets to local investors
German automaker Mercedes-Benz plans to sell its Russian assets to local investor Avtodom, Russia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry told Telegram.
“Avtodom, the new owner of the Russian division of Mercedes-Benz, will be able to attract other companies as partners for joint production,” the ministry said.
Natalia Koroleva, general director of Mercedes-Benz’s Russian subsidiary, said the decision was taken to ensure “fulfillment of obligations to Russian customers and the preservation of employment for employees of the company’s Russian division.” rice field.
“Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of all relevant authorities,” Mercedes-Benz said in a statement.
Russia recruits US-trained Afghan special forces
Volunteer special forces stranded when the US withdrew from Afghanistan say they have received offers to join Russian forces in Ukraine, US magazine says foreign policy report.
As part of the US withdrawal, only a few hundred senior officers of Afghanistan’s 20,000 to 30,000 member National Army Commando Corps were evacuated. foreign policyand many special forces are now in hiding or fleeing to neighboring countries for fear of Taliban reprisals.
In August, U.S. Congressman Michael McCall issued a report warning that Afghan special forces could be “exploited” to obtain information about U.S. forces. special forces fled to neighboring Iran.
More DW content about the war in Ukraine
DW told residents about lack of access to air raid shelters as Russia attacks Ukrainian cities.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of planning to use “dirty bombs”. What is ammunition and how is it similar to a nuclear bomb?
A court in Hamburg has fined 4,000 euros for displaying a ‘Z’ symbol on the rear window of a car, which is used as a sign in favor of a Russian aggression.
ab, sdi/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)
