The Security Service of Ukraine released an exclusive video of the prisoner exchange that took place on October 2. 185 servicemen and 20 civilians returned home, most of whom had been in captivity since 2022.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Threats from Russia and security guarantees were discussed, as well as preparations for the next coalition meeting.
Oleh Korikov, head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, announced that the IAEA mission is developing algorithms for protecting critical energy system facilities. This will allow protecting electrical substations according to the principle of nuclear facilities.
At the Zaporizhzhia NPP, an emergency situation due to power outage has been ongoing for the ninth day, and diesel generators are the only source of power for safety systems. The occupiers are spending emergency fuel not only on the needs of the station but also on other facilities, which jeopardizes its reserves.
At the summit in Copenhagen, EU leaders discussed the use of frozen Russian assets to finance aid to Ukraine. A decision is expected at the European Council meeting on October 23-24.
The state agency PlayCity announced that the State Online Monitoring System (SOMS) for gambling will be launched in two phases, with the estimated full launch of the second phase in December 2026. The first phase of SOMS, whose development began in September 2025, will cost almost UAH 26 million and will allow monitoring of players' money transfers and their identifiers.
Since the beginning of the day, 102 combat engagements have been recorded, almost half of them in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. The enemy actively stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders, launching air strikes and artillery shelling.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the Prime Minister of Denmark. They discussed European integration, the "Drone Wall" initiative, and the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
An official of the Kharkiv TCC has been notified of suspicion due to illegally changing data in the "Oberih" database. He groundlessly registered and removed from the wanted list 29 conscripts.
From October 1, the seasonal ban on crayfish fishing ended in Ukraine. A fine of UAH 3,332 is provided for each illegally caught crayfish.
As part of the exchange between Russia and Ukraine, 185 military personnel and 20 civilians returned home. The youngest released is 26 years old, the oldest is 59 years old.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian servicemen captured a 31-year-old citizen of the Russian Federation, a native of Tuva, with the call sign Taiga. The detainee had no military training, had a low level of Russian language proficiency, and surrendered voluntarily.
On October 2, Ukraine returned 185 defenders from Russian captivity, including defenders of Mariupol, Azovstal, and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Among them are 183 privates and sergeants, two officers, and 20 civilians.
The territories where this zone has been expanded are located 10 km from the front line and are under constant Russian shelling.
The EU is considering lending Ukraine the monetary value of Russian assets immobilized in Euroclear, but some EU countries are expressing concerns about the legal implications. The European Commission needs to further investigate the legal and fiscal consequences.
A 28-year-old Ukrainian citizen, while intoxicated, damaged a police car in Mazowieckie Voivodeship by biting off part of the seal and scratching the paint. He was detained, charged, and expelled from Poland.
Three residents of Kyiv region organized a professional cannabis plantation with irrigation and cameras. 400 cannabis bushes and 60 kg of drugs worth UAH 15 million were seized.
The Polish Prime Minister stated that Russia's victory in Ukraine would mean the end for his country and Europe. He recalled incidents involving Russian UAVs and attempts to illegally cross the border with Belarus.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, under which 185 Russian servicemen returned in exchange for 185 Ukrainian prisoners of war. 20 civilians were also returned.
The introduction of the Turkish model "one pharmacy - one pharmacist" could lead to mass closures of pharmacies, a drop in investment, and the emergence of 'white spots' in access to medicines. Chaos in the healthcare system during the war will play into Russia's hands.
Vitaliy Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of NEC "Ukrenergo", and members of the Board continue to perform their duties. The company is focused on preparing for the autumn-winter period and restoring electricity supply.
Ukrainians can join the celebration by preparing five original herring recipes, including forshmak, "Herring under a fur coat" salad, and canapés with beetroot hummus.
The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Concord Bank showed that shareholders of Ukrainian banks being withdrawn from the market are deprived of effective judicial protection. The judges concluded that the claims of former shareholders cannot be considered by any court, which contradicts the Constitution and European practice.
French President Emmanuel Macron, at a summit in Copenhagen, spoke about the need for greater unpredictability to strengthen deterrence. He noted that drones violating airspace can be destroyed and called for increased sanctions against Russia.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is once again raising the issue of using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. He is demanding firm guarantees from EU and NATO leaders regarding risk sharing.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Russia's actions demonstrate Putin's appetite to continue relentless attacks on Ukraine and acts of interference across Europe. He emphasized that this is a matter of values and freedoms for all of Europe.
Ukraine expects a number of economic decisions from the EU by the end of the year, including a review of duties on agricultural products. The government's main task is to accelerate the country's accession process to the European Union.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit in Copenhagen called on European leaders to support Donald Trump's call to stop buying Russian oil. He also emphasized the need to destroy Russia's oil trading infrastructure and impose sanctions against the shadow fleet.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia would not stop until forced to. She emphasized that the war in Ukraine concerns all of Europe and its values.
On October 3rd, Ukraine is expected to have dry weather, but with gusty winds. The air temperature will be uneven: in the south and east up to +19 degrees, in the north up to +13, and in the west only +8+11 degrees.
