Vladimir Putin stated that life expectancy could reach 150 years, but that would always be insufficient. He noted that the average human age is constantly increasing, and Russia aims to raise this indicator.
The occupation authorities of Crimea have launched courses for 57 participants of the war against Ukraine, including mobilized personnel and security forces, with the aim of appointing them to leadership positions. According to the plan, 90% of graduates will head the structures of the occupation administration, forming a militarized vertical of power.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is considering suing the EU over plans to stop Russian gas supplies from 2028. Slovakia and Hungary criticize these plans due to their dependence on Russian energy carriers and fears of economic consequences.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the current winter will likely be the most difficult for Ukraine, but the country will survive it. He noted that the Russians were counting on the maximum impact of strikes on energy infrastructure on society and Western partners.
In Ternopil, "Points of Invincibility" are operating, where one can get hot drinks, food, and charge phones. The psychological service of these points has already provided assistance to 279 people.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll in Kyiv, discussing defense innovations and the implementation of agreements. Ukraine is grateful to the US for approving the sale of a support package for the Patriot air defense system worth $105 million.
The golden toilet "America" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for $12 million to an unknown buyer. The 18-karat gold art object, which functions as a regular toilet, satirizes excessive American wealth.
A mobile fire group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down a Kalibr missile with a MANPADS in Khmelnytskyi region during a massive attack. Soldier Dmytro successfully destroyed an enemy target flying towards a settlement in western Ukraine.
The United Nations General Assembly supported a resolution proposed by Italy on a truce in all wars in the world for the duration of the 2026 Games. The UN revived the ancient Greek tradition of "ekecheiria" in 1993.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, predicts that Ukraine will approach the possibility of a peace agreement with Russia in mid-February 2026. He also noted that Russia plans a full occupation of the Donetsk region in the spring of 2026, but "this is unrealistic."
Italy's Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Serhiy Kuznetsov to Germany, where he is suspected of orchestrating the explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines. Kuznetsov's lawyer expects his client to be handed over to German authorities in the coming days.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi met with an American delegation led by US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. They discussed the current situation on the battlefield, strengthening air defense, Deep Strike, and unmanned systems.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official dollar exchange rate for November 17 at 42. 04 hryvnias. The euro exchange rate is 48.98 hryvnias, and the zloty is 11.57 hryvnias.
The US must be able to seize the initiative in the fight against any adversary to deter and win future wars. Russia is moving towards prolonging and expanding the current war, exploiting the weakness of Western countries.
US President Donald Trump said that Republicans are considering a Senate bill on sanctions against countries that do business with Russia. The document provides for tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that buy Russian energy carriers and do not support Ukraine, including China and India.
On November 16, Russian troops lost 1160 soldiers and 213 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 17.11.25 amount to approximately 1,159,420 personnel.
Cloudy weather is forecast in Ukraine on November 17. Rains are expected in the western regions, with significant rainfall in places in Zakarpattia.
Three and a half years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. More than 236,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and 10% of the housing stock is unavailable.
The head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhiy Rebrov commented on the victory over Iceland (2:0) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He noted the team play and successful substitutions that helped achieve the result.
The Russian authorities continue to encourage war crimes against Ukrainian servicemen and civilians. The leader of the far-right Russian paramilitary unit of the sabotage and reconnaissance group "Rusich", Oleksiy Milchakov, distributed photos of the execution of three Ukrainian prisoners of war and offers money for photos with "clearly recorded executed prisoners in the background."
The death toll from Russia's night missile strike on Balakliia, Kharkiv Oblast, has risen to three, with 10 more people injured, including children. Nine victims have been hospitalized, and one person is receiving outpatient medical care.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that Russian losses in 2025 have already exceeded 367,460 people. Having failed to accomplish any strategic tasks, the occupiers are trying to push through the Defense Forces to report at least some "successes."
Russian troops attacked the central part of Balakliia in the Kharkiv region with two missiles on the night of November 17. The hits occurred near apartment buildings; one person was reportedly killed, and five were wounded, including a 14-year-old girl.
The occupation administration of Kherson region has launched a campaign to "attach the population to polyclinics" using Russian compulsory medical insurance policies. This allows them to record the actual place of residence and track the movement of residents, as well as synchronize the data of men of conscription age with the databases of military enlistment offices.
British political scientist Mark Galeotti claims that the loss of Pokrovsk cost Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy more than the city's capture cost Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. According to him, "the next campaign may not take place in northeastern Ukraine, but in Washington."
On the night of November 17, occupied Donetsk and surrounding areas were plunged into darkness. According to unconfirmed reports, the Chaikine substation was attacked, and an emergency shutdown of the Starobeshevska TPP was also reported.
Switzerland managed to get the US to lower tariffs imposed by Donald Trump with expensive gifts. The delegation presented a Rolex watch and a personalized 1 kg gold bar worth over $130,000.
The "PREDATOR" brigade of the Patrol Police Department released a video of the destruction of occupiers and their equipment near Kostiantynivka. The footage shows an enemy FPV, the escape of Russian infantrymen, and their death.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump's proposal to pay $2,000 in tariff "dividends" to US citizens would require congressional approval. According to various reports, Trump's plan could cost the US government twice as much as it was projected to receive in 2025.
On November 16, in Rudky, Sambir district, an Alfa Romeo driver threw a grenade at police officers. The assailant sustained bodily injuries and was taken to the hospital. The man allegedly went AWOL, and criminal proceedings have been initiated.
