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.
At the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense, agreements were reached on new contributions totaling at least $422 million to the PURL initiative. Also, $715 million was declared for procurement from the Ukrainian industry and additional military assistance from allies.
Ahead of October, Naftogaz accumulated $2. 5 billion for gas purchases, of which $1.5 billion was provided by partners. Europeans also provided Ukraine with a credit guarantee, which is a historic event.
Natalia Boyko, Deputy Head of the Supervisory Board of NJSC Naftogaz, stated that gas consumption in Ukraine is growing daily, urging Ukrainians to review their household habits. She emphasized that the heating season will be difficult, and gas consumption has increased by 20% since the beginning of the week.
Felix Zinchenko, head of DTEK's communications department, emphasized that emergency power outages in a number of regions are a consequence of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Ihor Koval, secretary of the Odesa City Council, assumed the duties of Odesa City Mayor on October 16, 2025. This happened after Hennadiy Trukhanov's Ukrainian citizenship was terminated.
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.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Olha Reshetylova (Kobylynska) as Ukraine's first military ombudsperson, relieving her from the position of Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Their Families. She identified the launch of the Military Ombudsperson's Office as a priority, which will ensure civilian control over the observance of the rights of all Defense Forces.
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.
This happened due to a drop in export revenues, sanctions and limited access to capital, as well as an increase in debt servicing costs.
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.
