Law enforcers dismantled a network of drug trafficking groups that produced almost a ton of psychotropic drugs per month. Over 300 kg of finished product, 15 tons of precursors and equipment worth over UAH 350 million were seized.
The President of Ukraine emphasized the need to quickly distribute 35 billion of Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine. Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of financing domestic production of weapons and air defense systems.
Ukraine received CAD 400 million in concessional financing from Canada for 10 years at 1. 5% per annum. The funds have already been transferred to the state budget and will be used for priority expenditures.
Charles Michel stated that immediate military and financial support for Ukraine is needed. He emphasized that the EU will stand by Ukraine as long as necessary, and the country's future is inextricably linked to the EU.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at the EU summit, where he is met by Charles Michel. Zelenskyy is to present Ukraine's Victory Plan to EU leaders.
US Republican vice presidential candidate J. D. Vance said he does not believe Trump will be defeated in the 2020 election. He claims that there were “serious problems” in that election, but did not provide evidence.
russia continues air attacks on southern Ukraine due to the lack of success at sea. S-300 and Iskander missiles are being used to strike civilian infrastructure, including ports.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Zelenskyy's Peace Plan has many issues that need to be discussed with Ukraine. NATO cannot yet support the Victory Plan, but it is confidently supporting Ukraine.
The Japanese company Prodrone plans to start a business of detecting landmines in Ukraine using drones. The project is planned to be commercialized by fiscal year 2025 in cooperation with Tokyo-based consulting firm Padeco.
Mark Rutte said that Ukraine will join NATO in the future. This decision was made in Washington, although the exact procedure for accession has not yet been determined.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the continuation of assistance to Ukraine. The Alliance has provided €20.9 billion in military assistance in the first half of 2024 and plans to fulfill its commitments by the end of the year.
The United States is shifting the focus of training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots to junior cadets due to a lack of experienced aviators with English language skills. A full squadron of 20 aircraft and 40 pilots is expected no earlier than spring-summer 2025.
A spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service reported a decrease in passenger traffic at the Ukrainian border. On weekdays, 80-85 thousand people cross the border in both directions, compared to 3 million in September and 4 million in the summer.
A spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service said that the blockade of trucks at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint announced by Polish farmers is not currently taking place. Earlier, the farmers announced a possible blockade from October 8 to the end of 2024.
Law enforcement officers conducted more than 230 searches as part of the operation to dismantle the drug cartel. More than 60 people were detained, and 19 drug labs that produced almost a ton of psychotropic drugs every month were closed.
A spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service denied the Education Minister's statement about the mass departure of young men abroad. According to Demchenko, there has been no significant increase in the number of people leaving Ukraine, and passenger traffic remains stable.
Andrzej Duda and Mark Rutte had a telephone conversation about assistance to Ukraine and policy towards Russia. Rutte said that NATO will not be intimidated by Russia's threats and will continue to support Ukraine.
The expert predicts that cryptocurrencies will be legalized in Ukraine next year. This will promote transparency, attract investment, and develop innovative fintech technologies, stimulating the country's economy.
More than 630 criminal groups that facilitated illegal border crossing have been identified in Ukraine. The number of attempts to illegally cross the border is decreasing.
The President of Ukraine discussed new support packages and long-range weapons with the US leader. Biden promised to implement the aid packages in the near future, including $425 million.
The President of Ukraine leaves for Belgium for a meeting of the European Council. Zelenskyy will present the Victory Plan and hold meetings with the European Parliament and NATO to strengthen Ukraine's defense.
The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 2256 UAH/USD, down 1 kopeck. On the interbank market, the dollar is traded at UAH 41.22-41.25, the euro at UAH 44.89-44.91.
The US State Department has confirmed continued engagement with Ukraine on the Victory Plan. Biden apparently discussed it with Zelenskyy, and the US is also working on other measures to help Ukraine.
Over the last day, 163 combat engagements took place, most of them in the Kurakhove sector. The enemy launched 2 missile and 64 air strikes, making 4786 attacks. The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck 14 times at enemy positions.
On the night of October 17, the enemy attacked Ukraine with 56 attack UAVs and an X-59 missile. The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down 22 drones, 27 were lost to electronic warfare, and 5 hit the infrastructure of the frontline regions.
At night, the Russian army attacked Kyiv with attack drones. All detected drones were neutralized, but an apartment building was damaged in the Desnianskyi district. There is no information about the victims.
In the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine, there will be light rain in some places, in the rest of the country it will be without precipitation. Temperatures at night will range from 0-3° Celsius to 8° Celsius, during the day 7-12°, in Transcarpathia up to 15°.
Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army lost 1,420 troops, 17 tanks and 51 artillery systems in Ukraine. The enemy's total losses since the beginning of the war have amounted to about 674,270 people and 9,014 tanks.
Border guards detained a man who tried to leave Ukraine using forged documents in the name of a 25-year-old Odesa resident. The person was sent to the National Police to investigate signs of a criminal offense.
A 61-year-old resident of Mariupol was sentenced to 14 years in prison for working in the “law enforcement agencies of the Donetsk People's Republic”. The man voluntarily agreed to work for the occupiers after the city was seized.
