War in Ukraine
Russian occupiers have made territorial gains near Novoivanivka, Torske, and in Pokrovsk. This became known after the combat map was updated by the DeepState monitoring project on October 18.
The Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, during a conversation with Donald Trump, made it clear that he could agree to return the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions to Ukraine. As a condition for ending the war, he demands full control over the Donetsk region.
Since the beginning of October 18, 116 combat engagements have been recorded on the Russian-Ukrainian front. The most tense situation is in the Pokrovsk direction, where the Russian army attacked the positions of the Defense Forces 39 times.
Kyiv has significantly increased the amount of equipment for backup power supply, preparing 300 power sources with a total capacity of over 50 MW. Additionally, gas piston units for 100 MW are being installed, as well as 51 mobile boiler houses and 70 solar power plants in residential buildings.
Russian troops launched an airstrike on Lozova in Kharkiv region for the first time on October 18, using a new modification of a guided aerial bomb UMPB-5R. As a result of the attack, houses and outbuildings were damaged, and six people were injured.
Russia is introducing a mechanism for monitoring children online, obliging parents to inform operators about transferring a SIM card to a child. This data will be entered into the state system to identify minors and restrict access to content.
In Germany, 568 people with Hungarian passports were found to have registered as refugees from Ukraine. These individuals are not entitled to temporary protection and social assistance in Germany.
Austria has agreed to support the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, removing an obstacle to the vote on October 20 in Luxembourg. Vienna had previously blocked the decision, demanding the unfreezing of some Russian assets to compensate for losses incurred by Raiffeisen Bank International.
On October 18, Russian troops struck Lozova in the Kharkiv region with a KAB, damaging 11 private houses and causing a fire. Six people were injured in the attack, two of whom were hospitalized with blast injuries.
The Government of Ukraine has established a Coordination Headquarters for energy protection, which will accelerate the approval of decisions regarding the construction of engineering protection for facilities. This will allow for faster restoration of damage and ensure uninterrupted operation of infrastructure.
President Zelenskyy, in an interview with NBC News, stated that Donald Trump did not refuse to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This gives hope for obtaining weapons that could change the course of the war.
In Sumy region, the enemy deliberately attacked the railway station and railway infrastructure facilities, damaging windows in passenger cars and buildings. Hits were also recorded near educational institutions in the region, reportedly without casualties.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 74 combat engagements at the front as of 4:00 p. m. on October 18, 2025. In the Pokrovsk direction, the Defense Forces repelled 31 enemy attempts to break through.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that a meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest could be the beginning of the end of the Kremlin leader's illusions about an empire. This will happen if the Russian dictator recognizes reality after Trump's negotiations with Zelenskyy.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted decisions on the protection of critical infrastructure, including the creation of the Coordination Center for Engineering Protection. The government allocated funds from the reserve fund for the protection and restoration of infrastructure in frontline regions and Ukrzaliznytsia.
The International Monetary Fund is pressuring the National Bank of Ukraine to devalue the hryvnia, which could strengthen the country's finances. NBU officials resist, citing risks to inflation and public sentiment.
Military ombudsman Olha Reshetylova coordinated the return of a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a National Guardsman from captivity in Luhansk region. The National Guardsman was considered missing for over three years while being held in slavery.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Europe's solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression is more important than ever before. This became clear after President Zelenskyy's negotiations at the White House and with European leaders.
The Russians organized a seminar in Rostov for "educators" from the occupation administrations. The training concerned the unification of "patriotic education" and the provision of guidelines for brainwashing schoolchildren.
Zelensky's meeting with Trump in Washington was "not easy," and some European leaders were surprised by Trump's change of mind. This happened after his long conversation with Russian dictator Putin.
Parliamentarians have submitted proposals for the 2026 State Budget, which include salary increases for military personnel and teachers, as well as funds for demining and the reconstruction of a hospital in the Kharkiv region. Draft resolution No. 14000/P has appeared on the parliament's website.
Ukrainian energy workers are once again restoring power lines that supply the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This is the 42nd time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion that specialists have repaired damaged lines.
The Ministry of Defense has launched the possibility of obtaining a deferral for parents of children with disabilities in the "Reserve+" application. The system automatically checks the data in the registers, and the user receives the result on their smartphone.
Construction and repair works remain the most sought-after on OLX, with a median price for turnkey construction at UAH 2000/m². The highest demand is observed in Kyiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv regions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced the start of repairs to damaged power lines to the ZNPP after the establishment of ceasefire zones. Restoration of electricity supply is critical for nuclear safety.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, over 25,000 servicemen of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation deserted between November 2024 and July 2025. The reasons are unbearable service conditions and executions for refusing to obey orders.
During his visit to the US, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thoroughly informed the American side about the situation at the front, Russian missile strikes, and urgent defense needs. The Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of defense and energy companies.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that Donald Trump is the only one who can make Putin sit down at the negotiating table regarding Ukraine. Stubb emphasized that Finland will never recognize Crimea as Russian and seeks Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO.
The plane of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will have to bypass most of the European Union countries to arrive in Hungary for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The route can reach up to 5 thousand km, increasing the flight time by 3 hours.
Last night, 4 UAVs attacked an electrical substation in Veshkaima, Ulyanovsk region of Russia, causing two explosions and a fire. Local residents were left without electricity, but power supply was restored by morning.