Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled the much-anticipated five-point “Victory Plan” which he says could bring an end to the war by the end of next year.
An invitation to join NATO and specific weapons support from western allies sits front-and-centre of Kyiv’s plan, which Zelensky discussed with the US, UK, France, Italy and Germany leaders in a whirlwind tour.
The plan’s third point calls for a non-nuclear deterrence mechanism with the power to destroy Russia’s military, Zelensky told the members of Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday morning.
Zelensky said there is a secret addendum to the third point, which he could not disclose.
Western support in defending Ukraine’s natural resources from Russian attacks, alongside post-war reconstruction pledges from western allies, made up the rest of the plan.
It comes after Russia fired scores of drones at Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions overnight on Wednesday. 51 of the 136 drones fired by Putin’s forces were shot down by Ukraine’s air forces over 14 regions.
Of the remaining drones, 60 were unaccounted for, 20 remained in Ukrainian skies, and three had an unknown fate.
Key Points
- In full: the five key points of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’
- Ukrainian ‘Victory Plan’ requires unconditional invitation to NATO
- Ukrainian military denies Russia captured two villages
- Six Russian soldiers get visa to France in bid to escape Putin's war
- US concerned over North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia
Zelensky to attend Nato defence ministers meeting today
04:08
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a Nato defence ministers’ meeting today, according to the bloc’s revised agenda.
The Ukrainian president unveiled his “victory plan” yesterday, calling on allies to take urgent steps to bolster Kyiv at a precarious moment in a bid to end the war with Russia next year.
Earlier yesterday, Nato chief Mark Rutte told reporters he was aware of the details of Mr Zelensky’s plan and that he was in touch with the alliance’s member countries on the next steps.
“The victory plan, of course, we are very much debating with them and using every opportunity to take that one step-by-step further,” Mr Rutte said.
Report: The numbers behind North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal as Zelensky accuses it of sending troops to Ukraine
04:01
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea of sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
It has now emerged that North Korea has amassed enough weapons-grade nuclear material to more than double its existing stockpile of atomic weapons, according to a new analysis by a UK-based think tank.
Kim Jong-un is already believed to have between 80 and 90 nuclear warheads at his disposal, and likely has enough enriched plutonium and uranium – known as fissile material – to build in this tally significantly, according to a new report by the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).
‘High probability’ of war ending soon, says Slovak PM
03:05
Alex Croft
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico said there is a “high” probability of the war in Ukraine ending soon, according to TASR news agency.
Fico spoke on Wednesday before he left for an European Union summit, to which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to present his newly-unveiled five-point ‘Victory Plan’.
Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Fico said: “The probability of the war in Ukraine ending is high in the short term. I expect some hint tomorrow, because suddenly the topic of an invitation for Ukraine to NATO is appearing.”
Russia finally releases man whose daughter’s drawing opposed Ukraine war
02:02
Alex Croft
A Russian man convicted of discrediting the military with his daughter’s artwork has finally been released from prison.
Alexei Moskalyov was convicted in March 2023 on the basis of posts that he made on a social media site. The post came to authorities’ attention after his daughter, then age 13, made a drawing in school opposing the military operation.
Read the full report:
South Korea responds to reports of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine
01:03
Alex Croft
Reports of North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine are very serious, South Korea’s vice foreign mininster Kim Hong-kyun said on Wednesday.
It comes after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of sending troops to Russia.
South Korea said earlier this month that it was “highly likely” that this was taking place - read the full report below.
Ukrainian intelligence shares footage of an operation in Kharkiv region
Thursday 17 October 2024 00:01
Alex Croft
⚡️ Зачистили 400 гектарів лісу і знищили майже полк окупантів — деталі нової операції ГУР на півночі Харківщини
— Defence intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) October 16, 2024
https://t.co/LthIjtIzHO pic.twitter.com/bHFueyRcjn
In pics: Zelensky unveils ‘Victory Plan’ to parliament
Wednesday 16 October 2024 23:00
Alex Croft
European countries struggling to mobilise arms industries for Ukraine, Russia says
Wednesday 16 October 2024 22:20
Alex Croft
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that European countries are beginning to struggle in mobilising their military-industrial industries to help Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters: “This mobilisation of capabilities for ephemeral goals is contrary to the interests of the economic development of these countries, and clearly the capacities of these countries are not designed for such efforts.”
“In time, we hope, an understanding that such spending is unnecessary will become sharper and will sink in among more and more of the political establishment of these countries.”
In full: The five key points of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’
Wednesday 16 October 2024 21:48
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian victory plan calls for western unity to ensure Russia is “forced to peace”, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“Together with our partners, we must change the circumstances so that the war ends. Regardless of what Putin wants. We must all change the circumstances so that Russia is forced to peace,” he told members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Here are the five key points he laid out on the speech:
1 - An invite to NATO
An unconditional invitation to join the NATO western military alliance is a necessary element of Ukraine’s victory, Zelensky told parliament.
“We understand that NATO membership is a matter of the future, not the present. But (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can see that his geopolitical calculations are headed for defeat,” he said according to Reuters.
2- Bolstered defence capabilities
Zelensky says Ukraine’s defensive abilities must be “irreversibly strengthened”, something he said can be done by removing restrictions on weapons use - partly referring to long-range drone strikes into Russian territory.
He said that boosting air defence capabilities, strengthening Ukraine’s defence industry, and continuing Ukraine’s military operations in Russia’s Kursk region, will bring Ukraine to victory.
3 - Deterrence
Ukraine’s western allies should demonstrate to Moscow that further aggression by Moscow would have consequences, Zelensky said.
He told parliament: “Ukraine proposes to place on its soil a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package that will be sufficient to protect Ukraine from any military threat from Russia.”
There is a secret addendum to this part of the plan, which Zelensky provided no further detail of.
4 - Strategic economic agreement
Zelensky called for an agreement between Ukraine, the US, the EU and other allies to allow for joint investments into and use of Ukraine’s natural resources - which he said were worth trillions of dollars.
“These include, in particular, uranium, titanium, lithium, graphite and other strategically valuable resources that will strengthen either Russia and its allies or Ukraine and the democratic world in global competition,” Zelensky said.
5 - Ukraine’s role in strengthening NATO
Zelensky proposed Ukraine’s armed forces being used to enhance NATO’s security, replacing some US forces currently stationed in Europe.
Ukrainian military denies Russia captured two villages
Wednesday 16 October 2024 21:15
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian military says it repelled Russian attacks near Krasnyi Yar on the past day.
It added that Rusian forces had attempted to break through Ukraine’s defences around Nevske on the Lyman front, it said on Telegram according to Reuters.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Wednesday it captured both Krasnyi Yar and Nevske.
French ‘kamikaze’ drones to arrive within weeks
Wednesday 16 October 2024 20:42
Alex Croft
France will deliver its first round of “kamikaze” drones to Ukraine in the “coming weeks”, defence minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday morning.
“Testing of the first French remotely operated munition – also called kamikaze drones” had been a “success,” Lecornu wrote on X.
“Regaining sovereignty over this key segment for our armies in less than two years. Deliveries to Ukraine and our forces in the coming weeks,” he added.
Russia is increasingly using kamikaze drones, including Iranian Shahed drones, to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, and domestically-made Lancets against Ukrainian troops.
“Kamikaze drones are absolutely fundamental” and will be able to “complement Caesar howitzers,” Lecornu added, according to The Kyiv Independent, referring to the artillery systems already supplied to Ukraine by France.
Succès des essais de la première munition télé opérée - aussi appelée drone kamikaze - française.
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) October 16, 2024
Reconquête de souveraineté sur ce segment clé pour nos armées, en moins de deux ans.
Livraisons à l'Ukraine et à nos forces dans les prochaines semaines. pic.twitter.com/QfewB0gIAm
In pictures: Heavy shelling in eastern town of Pokrovsk
Wednesday 16 October 2024 20:11
Alex Croft
Large-scale power outages reported in southern Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 19:38
Alex Croft
Large-scale power outages have been reported in the southern city of Kherson, according to the chief of the city’s military administration.
“According to preliminary information, the entire city was cut off. The reasons are being determined,” Roman Mrochko wrote on Telegram on Wednesday morning.
Power outages were also reported in the neighbouring Mykolaiv region
Governor Vitalii Kim said: “Many people have lost electricity. We identified the source. There was no strike. We will fix it in a couple of hours if there are no further surprises.”
Watch: Ukrainian men dragged away outside Kyiv nightclubs and restaurants by army recruiters
Wednesday 16 October 2024 19:07
Alex Croft
Footage has emerged purportedly showing Ukrainian military recruitment officers raiding restaurants, bars and a concert hall in Kyiv in search of men not registered for conscription.
Officers positioned outside the doors of the capital city’s Palace of Sports were seen carrying out checks as people left a concert by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy on Friday night, local media and witnesses reported.
Some men appeared to struggle and claim their innocence as they were forcibly held or dragged away.
Restaurants, shops and bars were also raided including Goodwine, a shopping centre, and Avalon, a popular restaurant, as officers pursued those whose military registration documents were not in order.
Britain working on ‘own proposals’ as part of Ukraine’s victory plan, says general
Wednesday 16 October 2024 18:32
Alex Croft
The UK is working towards the implementation of a Ukrainian plan for victory in the war against Russia, Ukraine’s military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said following a phone conversation with Britain’s chief of the defence staff Sir Tony Radakin.
“We separately discussed the possibility of striking enemy military targets in operational and strategic depth,” Syrskyi said in a statement.
“The British side is currently working on its own proposals as part of the practical implementation of the Victory Plan,” he said.
Meet Ukraine’s ‘Witches of Bucha’
Wednesday 16 October 2024 18:04
Alex Croft
When nightfall descends on a suburban area northwest of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the Witches of Bucha come alive.
By day, the women work as doctors and teachers, but by night, they safeguard Ukraine from the Russian drones that surge above them.
The women - who go by the moniker of the Witches of Bucha - are volunteers in air defence units.
As increasing numbers of men are deployed to the frontlines, the volunteers have undergone training to wield machine guns and assault rifles to shoot down drones filled with explosives sent from Russia.
“My role is to listen for them,” Valentyna, a veterinarian, tells the BBC. “It’s nervous work. But we have to stay focused, to [listen out] for the slightest sound.”
The Independent’s Women’s Correspondent Maya Oppenheim reports:
ICYMI: Six Russian soldiers get visa to France in bid to escape Putin’s war
Wednesday 16 October 2024 17:33
Alex Croft
France has granted visas to six Russian soldiers who fled Vladimir Putin’s invasion in Ukraine, marking the first ever case of a European country offering respite to deserters.
The men reached Paris on separate flights over the last few months, according to an organisation assisting soldiers in fleeing and accounts from the deserters. They initially left Russia for Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2023.
One of the deserters, Alexander, a former contract soldier who left Russia in the summer last year, told The Guardian he felt a sense of freedom.
“When I landed in France, it was the first time I could breathe fully. I felt a sense of calmness and freedom … the worst was behind me,” he said.
No official comments have been issued by France or Russia to confirm the developments.
If the soldiers are granted political asylum it would be the first case of an EU nation hosting Russian servicemen fleeing Mr Putin’s war.
Biden’s botched Afghanistan exit encouraged Putin to invade Ukraine, book claims
Wednesday 16 October 2024 17:16
Alex Croft
The chaotic and botched exit of Western military forces from Afghanistan encouraged Vladimir Putin in his plans to invade Ukraine, a new book by Bob Woodward claims.
Bob Woodward, a veteran US journalist, recounted an exchange with one of the president’s top Russia experts Eric Green where he suggested the fallout from Afghanistan had emboldened Moscow.
“I think it reinforced Putin’s conceptions about how easy it would be,” Mr Green, a former senior director for Russia and central Asia on the US National Security Council, is quoted as saying.
“Here’s a military force that’s been supported by the US for decades at that stage. They just collapsed. The Americans didn’t back them up,” he said, according to Mr Woodward’s upcoming book War.
NATO chief says there are ‘issues’ with Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan'
Wednesday 16 October 2024 17:01
Alex Croft
NATO boss Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that the ‘victory plan’ presented on Wednesday by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was a good political signal - but that he can’t support it as a whole.
“It is of course a strong signal from Zelenksiy and his team that they designed this plan... That doesn’t mean that I here can say I support the whole plan, that would be a bit difficult because there are many issues that we have to understand better,” Rutte said according to Reuters.
Ukraine wants NATO invite before Biden steps down
Wednesday 16 October 2024 16:31
Alex Croft
Ukraine is requesting an invitation to join NATO before Joe Biden leaves the White House, a senior Ukrainian diplomat said.
It would be a fitting way to end the 81-year-old’s presidency, Ukraine argues, and would be a strong “political signal”.
Speaking in an interview at the Ukrainian mission to NATO, the western military alliance’s Kyiv ambassador, Nataliia Galibarenko, said: “We sincerely believe that it can be part of the legacy of [the] current American administration.”
The US presidential election next month could have a significant impact on its approach towards support for Ukraine’s war against Russia, with Donald Trump so far unclear on how he would handle the conflict.
Russia says Ukraine’s possible ascension to NATO is a justification for the brutal war they have waged since Putin’s forces invaded in February 2022.
But Galibarenko says an invitation would provide a “final verdict” for Russia, and that they would no longer be able to “raise the stakes using this topic”.
US explains reason behind use of THAAD defence system in Israel, not Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 16:00
Alex Croft
The US will not use the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery in Ukraine, despite using it in Israel, because the situation is “different”.
Washington authorised the use of THAAD - an advanced surface-to-air interceptor - in Israel to boost its defence capabilities after Iran’s attack.
But Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US would not deploy the same system in Romania or Poland to help protect Ukraine’s west, which comes under regular attack from Russian missiles.
“Different capabilities, different wars, different regions. The commitments also to Israel and Ukraine are different,” Singh said according to The Kyiv Independent.
It comes after president Volodymyr Zelensky said NATO countries could help shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, but that they were “not yet ready” to do this.
Zelensky said on October 3: “What works in the skies of the Middle East and helps Israel’s defence can work just as well in the skies of our part of Europe – in Ukraine – helping to save lives.”
Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ is pushing NATO and Russia towards direct conflict, Russia says
Wednesday 16 October 2024 15:40
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan” is making a direct conflict between NATO and Russia more likely, the Russian foreign ministry has said.
The plan would be a disaster for the Ukrainian people, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, after Zelensky presented the five-point plan to the Ukrainian parliament.
Zelensky called on western allies to take urgent and significant steps in bolstering support for Ukraine, claiming the war could be over next year if his plan is followed.
The Kremlin accused Kyiv of needing to “sober up” in response, adding that it was too early to comment on the details of the plan.
Report: The numbers behind North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal as Zelensky accuses it of sending troops to Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 14:22
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea of sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
It has now emerged that North Korea has amassed enough weapons-grade nuclear material to more than double its existing stockpile of atomic weapons, according to a new analysis by a UK-based think tank.
Kim Jong-un is already believed to have between 80 and 90 nuclear warheads at his disposal, and likely has enough enriched plutonium and uranium – known as fissile material – to build in this tally significantly, according to a new report by the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).
Wednesday 16 October 2024 14:02
Alex Croft
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico said there is a “high” probability of the war in Ukraine ending soon, according to TASR news agency.
Fico spoke on Wednesday before he left for an European Union summit, to which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to present his newly-unveiled five-point ‘Victory Plan’.
Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Fico said: “The probability of the war in Ukraine ending is high in the short term. I expect some hint tomorrow, because suddenly the topic of an invitation for Ukraine to NATO is appearing.”
Russia finally releases man whose daughter’s drawing opposed Ukraine war
Wednesday 16 October 2024 13:41
Alex Croft
A Russian man convicted of discrediting the military with his daughter’s artwork has finally been released from prison.
Alexei Moskalyov was convicted in March 2023 on the basis of posts that he made on a social media site. The post came to authorities’ attention after his daughter, then age 13, made a drawing in school opposing the military operation.
Read the full report:
South Korea responds to reports of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 13:23
Alex Croft
Reports of North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine are very serious, South Korea’s vice foreign mininster Kim Hong-kyun said on Wednesday.
It comes after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of sending troops to Russia.
South Korea said earlier this month that it was “highly likely” that this was taking place - read the full report below.
Ukrainian intelligence shares footage of an operation in Kharkiv region
Wednesday 16 October 2024 13:01
Alex Croft
⚡️ Зачистили 400 гектарів лісу і знищили майже полк окупантів — деталі нової операції ГУР на півночі Харківщини
— Defence intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) October 16, 2024
https://t.co/LthIjtIzHO pic.twitter.com/bHFueyRcjn
In pics: Zelensky unveils ‘Victory Plan’ to parliament
Wednesday 16 October 2024 12:39
Alex Croft
European countries struggling to mobilise arms industries for Ukraine, Russia says
Wednesday 16 October 2024 12:17
Alex Croft
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that European countries are beginning to struggle in mobilising their military-industrial industries to help Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters: "This mobilisation of capabilities for ephemeral goals is contrary to the interests of the economic development of these countries, and clearly the capacities of these countries are not designed for such efforts.”
"In time, we hope, an understanding that such spending is unnecessary will become sharper and will sink in among more and more of the political establishment of these countries."
The five key points of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan'
Wednesday 16 October 2024 11:55
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian victory plan calls for western unity to ensure Russia is “forced to peace”, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“Together with our partners, we must change the circumstances so that the war ends. Regardless of what Putin wants. We must all change the circumstances so that Russia is forced to peace,” he told members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Here are the five key points he laid out on the speech:
1 - An invite to NATO
An unconditional invitation to join the NATO western military alliance is a necessary element of Ukraine’s victory, Zelensky told parliament.
“We understand that NATO membership is a matter of the future, not the present. But (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can see that his geopolitical calculations are headed for defeat,” he said according to Reuters.
2- Bolstered defence capabilities
Zelensky says Ukraine’s defensive abilities must be “irreversibly strengthened”, something he said can be done by removing restrictions on weapons use - partly referring to long-range drone strikes into Russian territory.
He said that boosting air defence capabilities, strengthening Ukraine’s defence industry, and continuing Ukraine’s military operations in Russia’s Kursk region, will bring Ukraine to victory.
3 - Deterrence
Ukraine’s western allies should demonstrate to Moscow that further aggression by Moscow would have consequences, Zelensky said.
He told parliament: “Ukraine proposes to place on its soil a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package that will be sufficient to protect Ukraine from any military threat from Russia.”
There is a secret addendum to this part of the plan, which Zelensky provided no further detail of.
4 - Strategic economic agreement
Zelensky called for an agreement between Ukraine, the US, the EU and other allies to allow for joint investments into and use of Ukraine’s natural resources - which he said were worth trillions of dollars.
“These include, in particular, uranium, titanium, lithium, graphite and other strategically valuable resources that will strengthen either Russia and its allies or Ukraine and the democratic world in global competition,” Zelensky said.
5 - Ukraine’s role in strengthening NATO
Zelensky proposed Ukraine’s armed forces being used to enhance NATO’s security, replacing some US forces currently stationed in Europe.
‘Sober up’ says Russia in response to Ukraine’s ‘Victory Plan'
Wednesday 16 October 2024 11:18
Alex Croft
The Kremlin has warned Kyiv to “sober up” as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announces his five-point “Victory Plan” in parliament.
It was too early to comment on the plan but the policies Zelensky is pursuing are futile, Russia said.
Zelensky said in his speech on Wednesday that the conflict could be ended no later than next year if his plan was implemented immediately.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kyiv’s plan was likely to be similar to the US plan - to use Ukraine to fight against Russia.
Ukrainian ‘Victory Plan’ requires unconditional invitation to NATO
Wednesday 16 October 2024 11:16
Alex Croft
Ukraine has called for an unconditional invitation to join the NATO military alliance as part of president Volodymyr Zelensky’s five-point ‘Victory Plan’.
Zelensky also requested a strategic non-nuclear deterrent package in Ukraine, and envisaged the replacement of some US forces in Europe by Ukrainian troops.
The plan also called for an agreement on joint defense between Kyiv’s allies and the use of vital Ukrainian resources, Reuters reported.
Ukrainian military denies Russia captured two villages
Wednesday 16 October 2024 11:01
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian military says it repelled Russian attacks near Krasnyi Yar on the past day.
It added that Rusian forces had attempted to break through Ukraine’s defences around Nevske on the Lyman front, it said on Telegram according to Reuters.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Wednesday it captured both Krasnyi Yar and Nevske.
Russia captures two villages in eastern Ukraine, it claims
Wednesday 16 October 2024 10:50
Alex Croft
Russian forces have captured two villages in eastern Ukraine, the defence ministry has claimed, as they continue to make slow but steady progress on the eastern front.
Putin’s troops took control of Krasnyi Yar in Donetsk region and Nevske in Luhansk region, the defence ministry said on Wednesday according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
French ‘kamikaze’ drones to arrive within weeks
Wednesday 16 October 2024 10:29
Alex Croft
France will deliver its first round of “kamikaze” drones to Ukraine in the “coming weeks”, defence minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday morning.
"Testing of the first French remotely operated munition – also called kamikaze drones" had been a "success," Lecornu wrote on X.
“Regaining sovereignty over this key segment for our armies in less than two years. Deliveries to Ukraine and our forces in the coming weeks,” he added.
Russia is increasingly using kamikaze drones, including Iranian Shahed drones, to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, and domestically-made Lancets against Ukrainian troops.
"Kamikaze drones are absolutely fundamental" and will be able to "complement Caesar howitzers,” Lecornu added, according to The Kyiv Independent, referring to the artillery systems already supplied to Ukraine by France.
Zelensky to present ‘Victory Plan’ to Ukrainian parliament
Wednesday 16 October 2024 10:07
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will unveil his “Victory Plan” to the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday.
The much-anticipated plan aims to force Moscow to negotiate an end to the war in good faith, and includes an invitation for Ukraine to join the NATO western military alliance.
Zelensky has discussed the plan with his western allies during a number of quickfire trips in recent weeks.
Ukrainian officials have suggested the plan includes a request to the West to ramp up weapons supplies and authorise longer-range strikes in Russia, although the exact details are unknown.
Zelensky’s speech may aim to persuade the Ukrainian public, exhausted and demoralised after two-and-a-half years of grinding war, that the conflict can end soon.
Opposition MP Iryna Gerashchenko said according to Reuters: "I’d like to believe (the plan) is realistic, because the situation is indeed very, very difficult.”
In pictures: Heavy shelling in eastern town of Pokrovsk
Wednesday 16 October 2024 09:46
Alex Croft
Large-scale power outages reported in southern Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 09:24
Alex Croft
Large-scale power outages have been reported in the southern city of Kherson, according to the chief of the city’s military administration.
“According to preliminary information, the entire city was cut off. The reasons are being determined,” Roman Mrochko wrote on Telegram on Wednesday morning.
Power outages were also reported in the neighbouring Mykolaiv region
Governor Vitalii Kim said: “Many people have lost electricity. We identified the source. There was no strike. We will fix it in a couple of hours if there are no further surprises.”
US explains reason behind use of THAAD defence system in Israel, not Ukraine
Wednesday 16 October 2024 08:52
Alex Croft
The US will not use the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery in Ukraine, despite using it in Israel, because the situation is “different”.
Washington authorised the use of THAAD - an advanced surface-to-air interceptor - in Israel to boost its defence capabilities after Iran’s attack.
But Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US would not deploy the same system in Romania or Poland to help protect Ukraine’s west, which comes under regular attack from Russian missiles.
"Different capabilities, different wars, different regions. The commitments also to Israel and Ukraine are different," Singh said according to The Kyiv Independent.
It comes after president Volodymyr Zelensky said NATO countries could help shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, but that they were “not yet ready” to do this.
Zelensky said on October 3: “What works in the skies of the Middle East and helps Israel’s defence can work just as well in the skies of our part of Europe – in Ukraine – helping to save lives.”
Ukraine asks for NATO invite before Biden steps down
Wednesday 16 October 2024 08:28
Alex Croft
Ukraine is requesting an invitation to join NATO before Joe Biden leaves the White House, a senior Ukrainian diplomat said.
It would be a fitting way to end the 81-year-old’s presidency, Ukraine argues, and would be a strong “political signal”.
Speaking in an interview at the Ukrainian mission to NATO, the western military alliance’s Kyiv ambassador, Nataliia Galibarenko, said: “We sincerely believe that it can be part of the legacy of [the] current American administration.”
The US presidential election next month could have a significant impact on its approach towards support for Ukraine’s war against Russia, with Donald Trump so far unclear on how he would handle the conflict.
Russia says Ukraine’s possible ascension to NATO is a justification for the brutal war they have waged since Putin’s forces invaded in February 2022.
But Galibarenko says an invitation would provide a “final verdict” for Russia, and that they would no longer be able to “raise the stakes using this topic”.
Russia launches 136 drones at Kyiv and other regions overnight
Wednesday 16 October 2024 08:05
Arpan Rai
Russia launched 136 drones and three missiles in an overnight attack targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, officials said.
The strikes ignited a fire at an industrial facility in the western Ukrainian region of Ternopil. Ukraine’s air defences destroyed 51 of the drones, Ukraine’s air force said.
Of the others, 20 drones were still in Ukrainian skies while 60 were unaccounted for, possibly intercepted by other means such as electronic jamming.
Most of Ukraine was under air raid alerts this morning, with the Kyiv region remaining under alert since 5.30pm GMT yesterday, according to military data. The air force said Russia was launching drones in several waves and in different directions.
The 51 drones were destroyed over 14 Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv region. It was not clear what happened to the three missiles.
Watch: Ukrainian men dragged away outside Kyiv nightclubs and restaurants by army recruiters
Wednesday 16 October 2024 08:05
Arpan Rai
Footage has emerged purportedly showing Ukrainian military recruitment officers raiding restaurants, bars and a concert hall in Kyiv in search of men not registered for conscription.
Officers positioned outside the doors of the capital city’s Palace of Sports were seen carrying out checks as people left a concert by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy on Friday night, local media and witnesses reported.
Some men appeared to struggle and claim their innocence as they were forcibly held or dragged away.
Restaurants, shops and bars were also raided including Goodwine, a shopping centre, and Avalon, a popular restaurant, as officers pursued those whose military registration documents were not in order.