The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that he does not regret the exchange of Viktor Medvedchuk for Ukrainian defenders in 2022. He emphasized that Medvedchuk was exchanged for modern heroes, and Medvedchuk himself is not valuable to Ukraine.
After several months of strained relations, the relationship between the US and Ukrainian presidents, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has improved. A new meeting at the White House is expected to strengthen the partnership rather than lead to another quarrel.
On October 16, emergency power outages were again applied in some regions of Ukraine due to the consequences of Russian strikes. Power limitation schedules for industrial consumers were applied throughout Ukraine.
Ukraine managed to rescue eight children and teenagers from occupation. All of them are receiving the necessary assistance, restoring their documents, and returning to a normal life.
Kyiv is considering a meeting on Friday to secure modern weapons needed for a counteroffensive. Tomahawk cruise missiles and air defense systems will be discussed, and the Ukrainian delegation has already met with missile manufacturer Raytheon.
Former Russian Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for organizing illegal air travel to occupied Crimea. He also ensured the movement of Russian military equipment.
The Security Service of Ukraine stated that the "Spiderweb" operation, which destroyed 41 Russian military strategic aviation aircraft, was carried out exclusively by its forces. The SBU refutes FSB statements about a "foreign trace," calling them an attempt to justify failure.
The General Staff reported that North Korean units are involved in supporting Russian operations in the Sumy region. UAV operators are adjusting MLRS fire on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In Ireland, a 17-year-old Ukrainian boy died as a result of a violent knife incident in a house in north Dublin. Another teenager was taken to the hospital with stab wounds, his life is not in danger.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the amendments to the Russian law "On Defense" are "opening the door to hidden partial mobilization. " This is due to exorbitant losses and the need to compensate for them.
The European Commission has presented the "Preserving Peace - Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030" to strengthen European defense capabilities. It includes four flagship areas and sets goals for achieving full defense readiness by 2030.
As a result of the attack on Chernihiv region, Nova Poshta's sorting depot and cargo department in Nizhyn were damaged. The company guarantees full compensation to clients whose parcels were destroyed or damaged.
Over 7,500 participants of the MHP Run4Victory 2025 charity races raised more than 5 million hryvnias. The funds are directed to the purchase of drones and robotic systems for Ukrainian military units.
On the morning of October 16, Russia attacked a training unit of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with two ballistic missiles. Despite security measures, it was not possible to completely avoid casualties; the wounded are being provided with medical assistance.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that Russia will not expand the war to other countries now, but it is possible in a few years. He noted that he has a map with events that indicate this.
More than half of Ukrainian enterprises plan to raise salaries within the next 12 months, with the highest expectations in agriculture and large companies. At the same time, 80% of businesses indicate war as the main limiting factor for doing business and production.
Naftogaz is actively working to increase gas imports and attract additional funding for a successful heating season. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, is negotiating in Washington, and the EBRD has already agreed to provide additional funding.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Russia has a significant reserve of economic strength to continue the war. However, Russians are already experiencing economic problems, although this is not yet a critical level.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported a strike by an enemy combat drone on the Kyivskyi district. Preliminarily, a high-rise building was the target.
Specialists at the Shalimov Center successfully performed an operation, removing shrapnel from the body of 41-year-old defender Oleksandr, who was wounded by a mortar. Thanks to a medical magnet, a 5x2x3 cm fragment was removed, preventing damage to internal organs.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are striking Russian oil refineries mainly with their own weapons. Domestic production has allowed the use of means as Ukraine sees fit.
Law enforcement officers have blocked new schemes of evasion from mobilization, detaining 20 organizers who, for 3-14 thousand US dollars, offered fictitious certificates, enrollment in studies or work, as well as escape routes abroad. Among those detained are a radiologist, employees of a transport company, and a specialist from the land department of the city council.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine liberated 182. 8 sq km of the territory of Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region and cleared 230.1 sq km from sabotage and reconnaissance groups. During the operation, from August 21, 2025, 13,945 Russian occupiers and 1,289 units of enemy equipment were neutralized.
The Joint Representative Body of Trade Unions has published a draft government resolution on a one-time cash assistance payment of UAH 6,500 for "Warm Winter. " The assistance is intended for children under guardianship, children with disabilities, IDPs, and single pensioners for the winter period of 2025/26.
On October 16, at approximately 12:00 PM, a launch from a Su-34 aircraft was recorded from the Black Sea in the direction of Mykolaiv. The impact site has been identified, and there are no casualties.
The Indian authorities commented on Donald Trump's words about refusing Russian oil. Delhi stated that the priority is to protect the interests of the Indian consumer and diversify energy sources.
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Russia risks losing control over 40% of its territory due to the increasing influence of China and North Korea in the Far East. Moscow is paying off its allies in the war against Ukraine with territories, lacking the resources to develop the Far Eastern Federal District.
A number of individuals involved in receiving undue benefits and abusing their official position have been detained and notified of suspicion.
The head of Ukrenergo, Vitaliy Zaichenko, stated that the situation in the energy system should stabilize within a week, and emergency blackouts may end. A transition to hourly outage schedules is not currently planned, despite continued Russian attacks.
Russian invaders have changed their tactics of striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure; now their main targets are distribution substations. This has led to the introduction of electricity blackout schedules in some regions.
