Ukraine

The head of the OP took part in a conference on nuclear safety. Yermak emphasized the need for demilitarization, de-occupation and de-escalation by Russia with regard to Ukraine's nuclear facilities.

President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has never spoken of intentions to build nuclear weapons. He recalled the Budapest Memorandum and the security guarantees that Ukraine was supposed to receive in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons.

The United States imposed sanctions on three companies and one individual from Russia and China for the development and production of Harpy drones. These are the first US sanctions against Chinese companies that produce weapons in partnership with Russia.

Herman Halushchenko met with Fatih Birol in Paris. They discussed challenges to nuclear safety due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and ways to help the Ukrainian energy sector.

President Zelenskyy announces preparations to receive aircraft from France. France plans to deliver Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2025, but the exact number has not been announced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the European Parliament and leaders of political groups. The parties discussed financial assistance, support for the Peace Formula and Ukraine's future membership in the EU.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that China cannot fuel the conflict in Ukraine without consequences for its interests. He called for working with partners to overcome common challenges and protect values.

President of Belarus Lukashenko said that Minsk should be involved in peace talks on Ukraine. He considers the “Ukrainian crisis” to be a problem for Belarus and does not want the issue to be resolved without their participation.

The number of criminal proceedings for trafficking in persons across the border increased from 327 in 2021 to more than 2,500 in the first three quarters of 2024. This is due to restrictions on the departure of persons liable for military service and intensified law enforcement.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. He will meet with the Alliance's Secretary General and participate in a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to discuss the situation and needs of Ukraine.

The Reserve+ app crashed, showing users false deferrals until the end of mobilization. The Ministry of Defense assures that the data in the Oberig registry has not been changed and the problem has already been fixed.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban called Ukraine's Victory Plan “frightening”. He called on the leaders of Germany and France to start negotiations with Russia on behalf of the EU to find a way out of the situation.

Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Political Analysis, denied information about Ukraine's plans to restore its nuclear arsenal. He called such reports “fantasies of Western journalists” and fiction.

MP Yuzhanina proposed to reduce spending on prosecutors' salaries by UAH 2. 7 billion in the draft State Budget 2025. The working group supported the proposal, but its further fate is unknown.

The SAPO has served a notice of suspicion to the MP of illicit enrichment of over UAH 20 million. With these funds, the MP purchased a house near Odesa, where she lives.

NPC Ukrenergo reported that there are no plans to apply blackout schedules in Ukraine on October 18. The power company urged people to use powerful electrical appliances from 10:00 to 16:00, when solar power plants are most productive.

Kyiv is seriously considering restoring its own nuclear weapons stockpile. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's security could be ensured either by NATO membership or nuclear weapons.

A propaganda event to promote military professions among children will be held in occupied Luhansk. Russia is trying to foster loyalty to the occupation regime and attract teenagers to serve in the army.

The work of ARMA is not transparent due to the lack of external audit and blocking of the public council. A former official criticizes the leadership for populism and the inability to conduct a full audit this year.

Minister Sibiga said that the DPRK is not training mercenaries, but regular troops for the war in Ukraine. This threatens to escalate the conflict, so Ukraine calls on its partners to strengthen sanctions and military assistance.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that negotiations are underway with countries to hold the second Peace Summit. The success of the summit requires broad participation of like-minded countries and the Global South.

On October 18-20, Kyiv is expected to experience severe frosts from 0 to -3° at night, with daytime temperatures of 8-10° Celsius. The KCSA warns of the second level of danger and possible ice on the roads.

The number of entrepreneurs and companies in the Brovary community increased during martial law. Mayor Ihor Sapozhko reported attracting UAH 466 million in investments and creating 600 new jobs.

Norway's Foreign Minister announces a new package of energy aid to Ukraine worth 250 million euros. During his visit to Kyiv, he discussed military and energy cooperation.

A delegation of Swiss companies will arrive in Ukraine next year. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announces Switzerland's plans to allocate 5 billion francs for the reconstruction of Ukraine by 2036.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with his Norwegian counterpart Arild Gram. The parties discussed the transfer of F-16s, strengthening air defense, and Norway's ability to contribute to the financing of Ukrainian defense companies.

President Zelenskyy said that the German Chancellor could provide Ukraine with long-range weapons without authorizing strikes against russia. He reminded that Ukraine has already effectively used long-range weapons in Crimea.

The SBI has completed an investigation into the purchase of low-quality bulletproof vests worth UAH 1. 7 billion. The former Deputy Minister of Defense and other officials face up to 15 years in prison for embezzlement and obstruction of the Armed Forces.

The director of a charitable organization in Lviv organized the illegal trafficking of conscripts abroad for $15,000. He was detained while receiving a part of the money in the amount of $7,500.

The number of people with disabilities in Ukraine is growing due to the war. The authorities are working to change building codes and install lifts to ensure unimpeded access to buildings and public places.