War in Ukraine
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.
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 November 16, 195 combat engagements were recorded at the front. The occupiers carried out 43 airstrikes, dropped 105 guided aerial bombs, and used 2322 kamikaze drones.
Legendary cat-blogger Stepan celebrated his 17th birthday, as announced on Instagram, inviting subscribers to congratulate him. His wife Stefania gave him hugs and a good mood, and Stepan himself showed off a festive cake.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that to win the war, it is necessary to abandon one's own illusions and disabuse the enemy of theirs. He emphasized the importance of quickly financing the Ukrainian defense industry to produce up to 20 million drones next year.
Pope Leo XIV expressed condolences over the deaths in Ukraine as a result of the recent shelling, including Kyiv. He urged not to get used to war and to pray for peace.
On the evening of November 16, explosions were heard in Orel, Russia. According to preliminary data, a local thermal power plant was hit.
Russia's largest Black Sea port, Novorossiysk, has resumed oil exports after a temporary halt on November 14. This happened after a drone attack that caused damage to the oil terminal.
The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are improving the system for attracting foreign volunteers, providing them with wider opportunities to choose a brigade and specialization. This ensures better integration and more effective use of their experience.
On November 16, Russian occupiers shelled Bilozerka in the Kherson region. An 87-year-old woman sustained an explosive injury and shrapnel wound to her leg.
UK Home Office Minister Shabana Mahmood stated that Ukrainian refugees currently in the United Kingdom will return home after the war with Russia ends. The asylum program for Ukrainian refugees was always intended as a temporary scheme.
On November 17, electricity consumption restrictions will be introduced in Ukraine due to the consequences of missile and drone attacks. Hourly outage schedules and power restrictions for industry will be in effect from 00:00 to 23:59.
The planned address by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, which was supposed to take place today, has been canceled. The reason was the illness of the head of government, who, according to the deputy head of the Smer party, contracted a virus.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that modern Russia is incapable of compromise because its elites depend on war. He emphasized that only the destruction of the current Russian elite will guarantee peace in Europe.
A large plume of smoke rose in the Russian village of Grafovka, Shebekinsky district, Belgorod region, due to probable shelling. Additional information about the situation is not yet specified.
Lithuania will select the best innovative proposals for combating aerial objects within two weeks. The development of technologies, which include detection, monitoring, recognition, and neutralization, is planned to be completed within three to six months.
Three foreigners were detained in Mohyliv-Podilskyi district while attempting to illegally transfer a Ukrainian conscript to Moldova. They demanded 8,000 US dollars for their "services."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that there is no threat of a Russian attack on EU or NATO countries. He also criticized the European Union's position on supporting Ukraine, believing that time is working for the Russians.
Russian occupiers in Kupyansk have been ordered to simulate control over the city by waving Russian flags, even though they do not have full control over the city. They put flags in supply packages for soldiers, which are dropped on the city by drones, helping Ukrainian soldiers detect and destroy these small groups.
Russia's fossil fuel exports in October fell to their lowest levels since the start of the full-scale war, amounting to 524 million euros per day. This is 4% less than in September, due to Ukrainian attacks and international sanctions.
Ukraine will start receiving natural gas from Greece through Greek infrastructure in January 2026. Ukraine will also be able to receive energy from the United States through this infrastructure.
On October 16, the invaders attacked a car with a drone in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. Three people sustained mine-blast injuries and contusion.
In the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv, an enemy drone of the "Molniya" type hit a playground. There were no casualties or fatalities, but the blast wave shattered several windows in nearby high-rise buildings.
Ukraine's defense forces struck the facilities of the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia's Samara region. The plant has an annual processing volume of almost 9 million tons and produces over 20 types of products, including jet fuel.
Ukrainian forces are gradually pushing Russian units out of the northern districts of Kupyansk. Effective counter-actions by the AFU have led to a decrease in enemy presence, despite complex logistics for both sides.
Restoration work continues in Ukraine after the night attack, during which the enemy launched over 170 drones. In a week, Russia used almost 1,000 attack UAVs, 980 guided aerial bombs, and 36 missiles of various types.
Russian troops launched an assault near the Antonivskyi railway bridge and actively shelled Kherson, causing deaths, injuries, and destruction. The enemy also launched an airstrike with 40 unguided missiles on Odrado-Kamianka.
Russian leader's aide Yuriy Ushakov stated that contacts between Moscow and Washington regarding the meeting between Putin and Trump are ongoing. The meeting itself has been postponed for some time.