Monday, October 7

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen from the 15th Operational Brigade covered up a 152 mm Howitzer 2A65 Msta-B after firing it towards Russian positions near the front line in the Pokrovsk area in Donetsk Oblast on Oct. 5, 2024. (Maciek Musialek/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Dutch Defense Minister visits Kharkiv, reiterates support for Ukraine. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Breckelmans made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Oct. 6, and visited Kharkiv.

Ukraine braces for Russian push near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in coming days. “If they achieve a breakthrough, Russia will be able to fire at logistical routes connecting Zaporizhzhia to the east of Ukraine,” Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn said.

Ukraine shows destruction of Russian Osa anti-aircraft system with FPV drone. A drone worth “several hundred dollars” was used to destroy an automated air defense system worth $10 million, the intelligence agency noted.

Oil depot on fire in Crimea’s Feodosia following drone attack. A fire erupted at an oil depot in Russia-occupied Feodosia in the early hours of Oct. 7, reportedly following a drone attack, according to Russian media.

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Zelensky: Kursk operation has made one of the biggest contributions to Ukraine’s exchange fund. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Kursk operation has made one of the most significant contributions to Ukraine’s exchange fund, aiding the release of Ukrainians from captivity.

Ukrainian artifacts stolen by Russia appearing on black markets, Kyiv says. “These artifacts, stolen from our museums and archeological sites, are now appearing on black markets. We already have enough evidence to launch new criminal proceedings,” Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin said.

NATO considering ‘concrete steps’ on Ukraine’s accession at Ramstein summit, WP reports. Ukraine may be offered “more concrete steps” regarding its NATO membership during the upcoming Ramstein summit, the Washington Post (WP) reported on Oct. 6, citing an undisclosed diplomat.

Putin used then-President Trump’s animus toward Ukraine to undermine US support, NYT reports. Donald Trump asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for advice when deciding on whether to send arms to Ukraine during his presidency in 2017, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Oct. 5, citing undisclosed U.S. officials.

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Ukraine war latest: Kyiv braces for Russian push near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russian forces are massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the coming days, Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn said on air on Oct. 5.

Photo: Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian opposition activist killed in Kharkiv Oblast, while fighting for Ukraine. Russian opposition activist Ildar Dadin, who had joined Ukraine’s armed forces, was reportedly killed in battle in the Kharkiv region, according to former Echo of Moscow journalist Ksenia Larina.

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 30 over past day. Russia launched 87 Shahed-type drones, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and one Kh-59/69 cruise missile against Ukraine overnight, according to the Air Force.

Vuhledar, Russia losses and Israel-Lebanon conflict | Ukraine This Week

International response

Netherlands pledges 400 million euros for Ukraine drone initiative. During an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Oct. 6, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced that the Netherlands will invest 400 million euros ($440 million) in a joint advanced drone development initiative with Ukraine.

Lithuania confiscates military goods from Kaliningrad-Moscow trains, gives them to Ukraine. Lithuanian customs officers discovered military uniforms and camouflage nets on passenger trains traveling from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to Moscow, the Delfi outlet reported on Oct. 5.

NATO to expand military forces and air defense due to increased threats, Die Welt reports. NATO has been advised to significantly bolster its defense capabilities, as outlined in a report by German media channel Welt.

Hungarians protest ‘ruling party propaganda,’ demand more media freedom. The protests, launched outside of the building of the state-owned MTVA media company, were organized by Hungary’s leading opposition figure and head of the Tisza party, Peter Magyar.

In other news

Ukraine’s futsal team wins historic bronze in match against France at World Cup. Ukraine’s national futsal team achieved a decisive victory with a score of 7:1.

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