State Border of Ukraine
The US House of Representatives is considering H. R.5793, a bill that defines US security policy priorities for nine NATO member states. The document provides for providing Ukraine with the necessary security assistance to deter Russian aggression, which could threaten NATO allies.
In the Lviv region, a smuggling operation involving premium phones and perfumes worth almost UAH 17 million was uncovered. The goods were attempted to be imported from Poland under the guise of sausage products. A resident of Yavoriv district concealed over 400 mobile phones and almost 3,500 bottles of perfume in a minivan.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine failed to remove MP Oleksandr Dubinsky from the post of deputy head of the Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy. Only 220 people's deputies voted for this, Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported.
The Prosecutor General's Office has sent indictments against 12 senators of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation to court. They are accused of complicity in waging an aggressive war and encroaching on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
MP Andriy Odarchenko, convicted of bribery, is trying to retain control over the State Biotechnological University by promoting his people to leadership positions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law allowing the deployment of Ukrainian Armed Forces units to Turkey and Great Britain for the duration of martial law. This decision will facilitate the acquisition of complex military equipment and the mastering of its use to protect Ukraine's sovereignty.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Law No. 4648-IX on increasing state budget expenditures for national security and defense by UAH 324.7 billion. The funds will be directed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, weapons procurement, the National Guard, the State Special Communications Service, and other law enforcement agencies.
European countries, together with Ukraine, are developing a 12-point plan to end the war, which includes a cessation of hostilities, an exchange of prisoners, and the return of deported children. The implementation of the plan will be monitored by a peace council chaired by Donald Trump, and Ukraine will receive security guarantees and a path to the EU.
Lithuania and eight other NATO countries are organizing the training and equipping of a Ukrainian brigade in Poland, supplying weapons and equipment. The initiative involves training servicemen according to NATO standards and strengthening support for Ukraine in long-range operations.
Yevhen Hrytskov, a supporter of the “Kharkiv Spring” and a person with a questionable reputation, could become the new rector of the State Biotechnological University. After the scandalous fugitive bribe-taker Andriy Odarchenko, who was sentenced to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property, the university risks getting another figure in office with shadows in his biography and finances.
Ukraine is striking Russian military targets at a distance of 1,500 km or more. This has already led to 27-30% losses in the aggressor's fuel and energy infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including Merz, Macron, and Starmer, advocated for an immediate ceasefire. They propose considering the current line of contact as a starting point for negotiations, supporting Trump's position.
The occupiers want to legalize the port stolen from Ukraine in order to officially export Ukrainian grain, metal, and building materials abroad.
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.
Border guards advise taking into account the high load in queues at the Krakovets checkpoint, which is associated with the recent launch of the EES system. Dozens of cars are waiting in front of the border crossing. The State Border Guard Service warned of a possible increase in delay times.
The Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court satisfied the SAP prosecutor's appeal, granting permission for a special pre-trial investigation against former MP Heorhiy Logvynskyi. He is suspected of organizing a scheme under which the company "Golden Mandarin" received UAH 54 million from the state budget.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the employees of the State Border Guard Service intelligence units on Intelligence Day. The Head of State noted the importance of their work for the country's security.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers uncovered an international cocaine smuggling channel from Spain, seizing almost 3 kg of drugs worth over UAH 18. 5 million. Two participants in the scheme have been notified of suspicion and remanded in custody.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians' position on Donbas has not changed: they demand that Ukraine cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Zelenskyy emphasized that the so-called "referendum" was illegal, and Russia's demands are far from reality.
Law enforcement officers in Zakarpattia have uncovered over 270 organizers of illegal border crossing schemes, with 174 indictments sent to court. The total amount of illicit gains exceeds 1.6 million US dollars.
Donald Trump believes that Vladimir Putin will not stop the war without obtaining Ukrainian territories, claiming that he has already gained some land. Putin sees the war as his “historic mission” and may agree to return Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in exchange for full control over Donetsk region.
During a visit to Moscow, pro-Russian MEP Șoșoacă stated that she would "break Zelenskyy's legs" if he dared to speak in the Romanian parliament again.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard reports from the military and the SBU on the situation at the front, including the Pokrovsk direction and Kupyansk. He announced an increase in the range and accuracy of Ukrainian strikes against Russia.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war in Ukraine, as he is confident of his victory and views the conflict as a "historic mission. " He believes he has the upper hand on the battlefield and is willing to ignore the destruction of the Russian economy.
ATESH agents carried out sabotage at a key communication hub in the Bryansk region, 100 km from the border with Ukraine. This disabled a tower that provided coordination for the occupation forces and border units, disrupting coordination and creating chaos in the control system.
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.
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.
Traffic may be complicated at the Ustyluh-Zosin checkpoint on the border between Ukraine and Poland. From October 20 to November 30, road works will be carried out there, which will lead to the closure of the "Red Corridor" lane at the entrance to Ukraine.
The Kremlin is launching a program to colonize the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, replacing the local population with Russians from the deep regions of the Russian Federation. This is a legalization of population replacement and Russification, displacing locals and settling "new Russians."
After meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the American leader's words regarding his relationship with the Russian leader. Trump stated that Putin hates Zelenskyy, and the Ukrainian president replied that he has the same attitude towards Putin.