In October 2025, Lithuania recorded 275 attempts of illegal border crossing from Belarus, almost half of which occurred in the last five days of the month. This is a record for the last six months, which happened after the closure of checkpoints due to drone cigarette smuggling.
Russian special services use propaganda and social networks to recruit vulnerable groups, similar to the terrorist group ISIS. The Kremlin mobilizes marginalized individuals, offering them ideologically attractive messages to destabilize society.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on imposing sanctions. The restrictions apply to 14 pro-Russian propagandists and 10 individuals and 31 legal entities that support the Russian military-industrial complex.
The SBI reported suspicion to a former deputy of the Odesa City Council, head of the Southern District of the KRO RS, involved in the events of May 2, 2014. He is accused of anti-Ukrainian activities and calls for a referendum on Odesa's autonomy.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced its readiness to cease hostilities for 5-6 hours in the areas of Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and Kupyansk. This is intended to ensure the passage of foreign and Ukrainian journalists to cover the situation.
According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, China and the United States have decided to stop fighting each other and start earning together.
"Roskomnadzor" will receive new equipment to expand the digital censorship system, which will allow tracking user behavior and implementing targeted blocking. This will provide tools for selective surveillance, blocking specific users or individual requests, making restrictions invisible to others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the difficult situation in the Pokrovsk direction, where high-intensity combat operations continue. In Kupyansk, the situation remains challenging, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces have more control.
Statements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk and Pokrovsk are false. The Joint Forces Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council refute this information.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia's claims about the successful testing of the Burevestnik missile are an information operation by the Kremlin. He believes that Russia is trying to scare European societies so that they are afraid to help Ukrainians.
Russian officials declare their readiness for peace every month, but this does not lead to any progress in negotiations. The Kremlin uses negotiations to buy time, spreading speculation about Ukraine's and the West's unwillingness to make peace.
The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council predicts that in the first half of November, Kremlin propaganda will focus on discrediting EU and US sanctions, as well as new nuclear threats. Narratives about the alleged ineffectiveness of sanctions and Russia's military superiority are expected to be promoted.
Russian schools will recreate the educational process of World War II, teaching schoolchildren how to use a slide rule and a pen. This initiative is part of the Kremlin's strategy to militarize childhood.
Russian propagandists claim that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forcing civilians to clear roads in Pokrovsk. The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council refutes these statements, calling them lies aimed at demonizing the Ukrainian military and diverting attention from the crimes of the occupiers.
The upcoming Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea next week could resolve many issues. Trump stated that he would discuss Russia's war against Ukraine with Xi.
The Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation urges citizens to buy federal loan bonds and gold to "patch up" the budget deficit. This will allow the Kremlin to continue financing the war, shifting the burden onto the population.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that the demonstrative launch of the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile towards the United States is an information operation aimed at damaging Donald Trump's image. He noted that Russia, as a raw material appendage of China, acts with the consent of geopolitical opponents of the United States.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with Umerov, outlining priorities: preparing defense agreements to strengthen aviation and meetings with European leaders. Also a priority is the agenda of Staff meetings.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, announced informational chaos before the Rubio-Lavrov conversation and Trump's meeting with Putin. He recommends evaluating the parties' actions, not their remarks or anonymous leaks.
The Russian animated series "Masha and the Bear" may be banned in Ukraine, said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Andriy Yermak, met with Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to coordinate priorities before the meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States. Issues of military cooperation, sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the return of deported children were discussed.
Rustem Umerov announced personnel changes in the National Security and Defense Council: Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak has been dismissed from the post of First Deputy Secretary, and Major-General Yevhen Ostrianskyi has taken his place. Ostrianskyi will be responsible for military issues, coordination of the security and defense sector, interaction with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and preparation of Staff meetings.
Russian propaganda will intensify its campaign about "Ukraine's unreadiness for winter" in the second half of October 2025. Kremlin media will spread messages about the catastrophic situation with energy and heat supply, and will also discredit EU sanctions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by decree, enacted the NSDC decision on synchronizing sanctions with Japan. The restrictions apply to 7 Russians, 1 North Korean citizen, and enterprises involved in supporting the Russian war machine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a visit of the Ukrainian delegation to the US, which will include the Prime Minister, the Head of the Office, and representatives of the Ministry of Defense. The goal is a substantive dialogue and the conclusion of strong defense agreements.
A trial against Petro Poroshenko for treason over coal trade with the occupied territories of Donbas has begun in Ukraine. At the same time, his former associate Oleh Hladkovsky is selling a luxury villa for $4 million.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold a meeting on October 10 to audit all agreements with partners. Based on its results, conclusions will be drawn and instructions will be given for three months.
The Center for Countering Disinformation exposed a Russian fake story about Polish mercenaries in the Armed Forces of Ukraine who allegedly use drugs to stay awake and not eat. This disinformation is aimed at discrediting Ukrainian military personnel and foreign volunteers.
Talks between China and the US could radically change the global balance of power. A strategic rapprochement between Washington and Beijing would be a geopolitical catastrophe for Russia.
Former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Oleksiy Arestovych, has been declared internationally wanted for the second time in Russia on charges of terrorism and spreading fakes about the Russian army. He was also added to the list of terrorists and extremists, and two criminal cases have been opened against him in Ukraine.
