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The Kremlin is conducting a psychological influence operation of threats to discourage the US from delivering long-range missiles to Ukrainian forces, according to military analysts. A senior official stated: “We understand these missiles completely, how they fly, methods to intercept them, we encountered them in Syria, so this is not innovative. Those delivering them and the deploying forces will have problems … We will find ways to hurt those who oppose our interests.”

Ukrainian Defensive Operations Progress

Ukraine's military were causing significant casualties in a strategic push in eastern Donetsk region, the war's main theatre, Ukraine's leader reported on midweek. Kyiv's report, derived from a communication with his top commander, contrasted with Vladimir Putin's remarks to defense leadership a day earlier in which he asserted Russian troops maintained the operational control in every combat zone.

In an assessment covering October's first week, defense researchers said Russia was suffering significant losses, mainly because of drone strikes by Ukraine, in compensation of limited tactical advances. Defending units, Ukraine's leader reported, were “maintaining our defense along various sectors”, highlighting especially the Kupiansk area, a heavily damaged town in north-eastern Ukraine under intense attacks for several months.

Local Developments

Local authorities in southern Ukraine of the Kherson oblast said military strikes on midweek killed three people in and around the regional capital of the same name. Administrative officials of Sumy region, on the northern border with neighboring Russia, said three individuals were killed in UAV assaults in various areas. Ukraine's air force said it intercepted or jammed the majority of attack and decoy UAVs overnight into Wednesday.

An offensive strike seriously damaged one of Ukraine's thermal power plants, government sources stated on Wednesday. Facility personnel were harmed during the strike, according to industry sources. Sources gave no further information, including the facility's position, but Ukrainian authorities said Russia struck power facilities in the Chernihiv region, southern Kherson and eastern Ukraine.

Public Effects

In the north-eastern Sumy town of the Shostka area, hit hard by the Russian onslaught against the power supply, authorities have created emergency spaces where people can warm up, access hot drinks, maintain communication capability and access mental health services, based on information from administrative leader.

Global Response

The Ukrainian diplomat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Wednesday called on NATO members to step up purchases of US weapons for Ukrainian forces. “It's not that we favor American weapons instead of allied or other international equipment – the issue is that we are asking the America for systems that European countries are unable to supply,” said the diplomatic representative.

Germany's national police will shortly receive authorization to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles, government official declared on Wednesday, in response to numerous unmanned aircraft incidents suspected as Russian efforts to spy and intimidate. Unveiling a draft law, the representative said law enforcement would receive permission “to employ state-of-the-art technical action against drone threats, for example with electromagnetic pulses, electronic interference, navigation system disruption, but also with kinetic methods”.

European Security Challenges

EU chief stated on midweek that the European Union should ramp up its protective capabilities to respond to Russia's “hybrid warfare” following airspace breaches, cyber-attacks and damage to undersea cables. “These aren't isolated incidents. This represents a organized and growing strategy,” the representative said in a address before the European parliament. “Several occurrences are coincidence, but three, five, ten – this is a intentional and focused hybrid threat strategy against Europe, and European countries should answer.”

Refugee Situation

The Swiss government has continued its protection status granted to displaced Ukrainians to at least March 2027. Protection status S, which permits refugees to travel abroad as well as work in Switzerland, is generally limited to one year but can be renewed. “This determination demonstrates the ongoing dangerous conditions and persistent Russian attacks across extensive regions of the country,” said a federal announcement. “Notwithstanding worldwide negotiation attempts, a lasting stabilisation that would permit secure repatriation is not anticipated in the foreseeable future.”