War in Ukraine
On the night of October 21, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs, causing a series of explosions. Four explosions were recorded, presumably in the Industrial district of the city.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced preparations for a possible deployment of troops to Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached, allocating over $134 million. British military personnel will train Ukrainian soldiers away from the front line.
Russian troops carried out a series of mechanized assaults in the south, using tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and motorcycles. Most of the equipment was hit before reaching the contact line, but the infantry continued the offensive.
The European Court of Human Rights has initiated official communication in cases concerning the ban on the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, imposed by the occupying authorities of Crimea in 2016. The purpose of the complaints is to recognize the illegality of the Mejlis ban and the systemic pressure on the Crimean Tatar people.
Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi will now be able to host 4333 fans instead of 1800. This became possible due to additional security measures and the expansion of the shelter area.
On October 20, 2025, Ukrainian troops repelled 174 combat engagements, neutralizing 130 occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy used two missiles, 32 airstrikes, 2249 kamikaze drones, and 2932 artillery shellings.
Due to a Russian attack on energy infrastructure, the northern part of Chernihiv region is without electricity. Temporary interruptions in water supply are possible, KP "Chernihivvodokanal" urges to stock up on drinking water.
The Russian army struck an energy facility in Slavutych, Kyiv region. Specialists are working to eliminate the accident and restore power supply, the water utility will switch to backup power.
The Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in the Samara region has completely halted primary crude oil processing after a drone attack. The plant may resume production only in early November; this is the second such incident in a month.
The US opposes the EU's plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, citing risks to market stability. This move is a setback for the EU, which has been trying to persuade G7 countries to join its initiative.
The SSO of Ukraine released a video of a combat operation in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian soldiers neutralized an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group and captured a Russian, seizing a working radio station.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the results of the Staff meeting, dedicated to energy and preparations for winter. The government has already secured half of the funds needed to purchase gas for the heating season.
Donald Trump stated that he discussed attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine with Vladimir Putin. According to him, most of those killed in Ukraine are soldiers, not civilians.
Two Ukrainian teenagers have been rescued from temporarily occupied territories thanks to the Bring Kids Back UA initiative. The boys, aged 18 and 20, have already reunited with their families and are starting a new life in Ukraine.
Donald Trump announced that he possesses an unknown weapon he had been working on for four years. This statement came amid discussions about a possible appeal by European leaders to Trump regarding the provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
In the Orikhiv direction, a Russian occupier tried to surrender but was killed by his own drone. This incident testifies to the enemy's cruelty and the unwillingness to fight among its personnel.
The Patrol Police calls for vigilance after a student of a Ternopil school received messages with anti-state calls. Attackers are trying to sow distrust in the authorities and incite minors to illegal actions under the guise of "peaceful advice" and offers of "easy money."
US President Donald Trump noted that war is unpredictable, and Ukraine still has a chance to win. He added that while it is possible, he does not think it will happen.
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Orenburg gas processing plant forced Kazakhstan to cut production at the Karachaganak field by 25-30%. The plant stopped receiving gas from Kazakhstan, leading to a reduction in production to 25,000–28,000 metric tons per day.
Russian troops attacked Pavlohrad district with missiles and drones, 16 people were injured, 15 were hospitalized. Nikopol district was also shelled with artillery and drones, an agricultural company and residential buildings were damaged.
Scandalous newcomer of Kyiv "Dynamo" Vladyslav Blenutse received gratitude from the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for supporting territorial defense. Earlier, the football player transferred 700 thousand hryvnias to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Former SVR agent Andrey Bezrukov warned Vladimir Putin about a British plot to assassinate him in Budapest. He urged to move the meeting with Donald Trump to Dubai.
26 EU member states have committed to joining the creation of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This brings closer the start of the tribunal's work, which will investigate crimes of aggression.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Russia is not interested in peace and called for increased pressure on Russia. This week, the EU plans to adopt the 19th package of sanctions and use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to London to attend a meeting of the coalition of the willing, co-chaired by Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz. The coalition aims to unite countries to protect the peace agreement in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. He announced numerous meetings and negotiations in Europe this week.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 133 combat engagements by 4 p. m. on October 20, with almost two-thirds of them occurring in three directions. The Pokrovsk direction remains the most active with 55 attempts by the occupiers to dislodge Ukrainian military personnel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plan to meet on October 23. The meeting is intended to agree on the terms of a future summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
The bill on the legalization of the virtual assets market in Ukraine has received 2,500 amendments, which delays its consideration and voting in the second reading. It is currently not determined who will be the regulator – the NBU or the NSSMC.
Ukrainian military tracked down and precisely hit a camouflaged "Valdai" radar system at the "Dzhankoy" airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea. This newest Russian complex is designed to detect and combat small-sized UAVs.