Norway states that it is fulfilling its mission to transition to 100% electric vehicles by 2025, having reached 88. 9% of sales in 2024. The government proposes changes to the incentive program, including the introduction of taxes on electric vehicles and an increase in taxes on gasoline and diesel cars.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will urge the EU to use frozen Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a loan of 140 billion euros. This funding is intended to support Ukraine's war efforts.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, announced that Ukraine has appealed to Swiss law enforcement. They are to investigate the incident involving a Russian-speaking man threatening a Ukrainian-speaking family on a train.
On October 16, 2025, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Saratov Oil Refinery, one of Russia's oldest enterprises. The plant processed 4.8 million tons of oil and supplied the needs of the Russian armed forces.
During the night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 37 missiles and 320 drones; 283 UAVs and 5 Kh-59 missiles were neutralized. Another 18 missiles were lost, with the main strike targeting Poltava and Kharkiv regions.
Russia launched its sixth massive attack on Ukraine's gas infrastructure with missiles and drones overnight since October, resulting in four specialists being wounded and critical facilities being shut down. Naftogaz urges Ukrainians to conserve gas.
Due to enemy night attacks on energy facilities, emergency power outages are in effect in 10 regions of Ukraine and Kyiv, and another region is on schedule. Ukrenergo urges not to turn on several powerful electrical appliances simultaneously due to high consumption.
Russia again attacked Ukraine, launching over 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, including at energy and civilian infrastructure. President Zelenskyy called for increased pressure on Russia, emphasizing the need for long-range weapons and sanctions.
The European Union is considering a ban on filtered cigarettes and electronic tobacco products. This initiative aims to reduce tobacco consumption and protect the environment.
Kyiv has switched to emergency power outages, which are in effect outside the schedule. Earlier, such outages were introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kirovohrad, and Poltava regions.
On the morning of October 16, emergency power outages were introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kirovohrad, and Poltava regions. In Chernihiv region, a schedule of hourly outages is in effect.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens to resume hostilities if Hamas does not hand over all bodies of deceased hostages. Hamas states it cannot retrieve more bodies without special equipment, but American advisors claim Hamas intends to fulfill the agreement.
The EU Council discussed the future defense readiness roadmap, which will define goals and objectives until 2030. The document will be adopted on October 16 and presented on October 23, 2025.
On Thursday night, Saratov and Engels were reportedly attacked by drones, leading to numerous explosions and the closure of Gagarin Airport. Power supply problems were also recorded in the Volgograd and Voronezh regions of Russia after the UAV attack.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that 17 NATO member countries have joined the PURL program, which allows the supply of American weapons to Ukraine. Initially, there were six countries, but after a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, their number increased to 17.
Over the past day, 184 combat engagements took place at the front, almost a third of which were in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy also intensified its activity in the Oleksandrivka and Kostiantynivka directions, launching missile and air strikes.
Oil prices rose by 1% after Donald Trump's statement about India stopping purchases of Russian oil. Brent futures rose to $62.45, WTI to $58.84.
Automaker Hyundai is working on a new internal combustion engine for mid-engine cars, described as high-revving and high-performance. The RM (Racing Midship) project has been ongoing since 2012, and the company is overcoming challenges for mass production.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that two-thirds of the 99 battles on the front line during the day occurred in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions. The enemy launched an airstrike on Sumy and shelled the border areas of Sumy Oblast.
Foreign donors have provided 93. 3 billion Czech crowns ($4.5 billion) to the Czech initiative to find and deliver large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine, with the Czech Republic contributing 1.7 billion crowns. The Czech Republic has organized the supply of 3.7 million artillery shells for Ukraine, of which 1.3 million are this year.
Germany will deploy Eurofighter jets to the Polish military airbase in Malbork. This decision was made to protect NATO's eastern flank, as stated by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The European Commission aims to launch a "drone wall" by the end of 2026, with full functionality expected by the end of 2027. This initiative is part of a roadmap aimed at preparing the bloc for a potential attack from Moscow.
President Zelenskyy received a report from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko. It discusses the effectiveness of sanctions against the Russian Federation and Russia's plans regarding Belarus.
Sweden, Estonia, and Finland have pledged to increase spending on American weapons for Ukraine. Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom have faced criticism for their restraint.
The European Commission will propose rules for short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb to counter the social crisis of affordable housing. The EU's first housing commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, noted that this issue is within the EU's competence.
Estonia will contribute $12 million to the fourth PURL package, which it calls the Baltic Nordic package, to finance American weapons for Ukraine. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur expects contributions from other allies, as the share of US contributions has significantly decreased.
The Netherlands has pledged to provide Ukraine with 90 million euros for drones. The Dutch Minister of Defense emphasized the need to develop more effective methods of destroying drones than using F-35 fighters.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said that the country is ready to make new contributions to the PURL initiative on armaments. He called on other countries to increase aid to Ukraine, as its support is declining.
On October 15, 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Serhiy Lysak as the head of the Odesa City Military Administration of the Odesa District of Odesa Region. This is enshrined in order No. 119/2025-RP.
Finland has joined NATO's PURL project, which involves purchasing weapons for Ukraine from the United States. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen emphasized the critical importance of long-range missiles for Ukraine.
