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The Kremlin is executing a psychological influence campaign of threats to discourage the US from providing precision-guided weapons to Kyiv, as reported by defense experts. A senior legislator stated: “We know these projectiles completely, how they fly, methods to intercept them, we encountered them in Syria, so there is nothing new. The providers and those who use them will face consequences … We will develop strategies to damage those who cause us trouble.”

Ukraine's Defensive Operations Progress

Ukrainian forces were inflicting heavy losses in a counteroffensive in the Donetsk front, the central battlefield, Ukraine's leader reported on midweek. Zelenskyy's assessment, derived from a report by his top commander, contrasted with the Russian president's speech before high-ranking military personnel a day earlier in which he claimed Moscow's forces maintained the operational control in throughout the battle lines.

Based on evaluation covering October's first week, military analysts said Russia was experiencing substantial casualties, especially due to Ukrainian drone attacks, in compensation of minor territorial gains. Kyiv's troops, the president stated, were “maintaining our defense along multiple fronts”, referring specifically to Kupiansk, a significantly ruined urban area in north-eastern Ukraine under intense attacks for months.

Local Situations

The regional governor in the Kherson area of the Kherson oblast said Russian attacks on Wednesday caused three deaths in and around the regional capital of the same name. Local authorities of Sumy region, on the northern border with Russia, said three fatalities occurred in Russian drone attacks in different districts. Ukrainian aerial defense said it neutralized or disrupted most of the Russian strike and decoy drones overnight into Wednesday.

A Russian attack significantly harmed critical infrastructure, authorities said on Wednesday. Facility personnel were harmed during the strike, according to industry sources. They provided limited details, including the plant's location, but national sources said attacks targeted critical utilities in northern Ukraine, southern Ukraine and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Humanitarian Consequences

In the border community of Shostka, significantly damaged by the Russian onslaught against the electrical grid, local government has established temporary shelters where people can find shelter, drink hot tea, maintain communication capability and access mental health services, based on information from local official.

Global Measures

Ukraine's ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Wednesday encouraged European partners to increase acquisitions of US weapons for Ukraine. “This doesn't mean we prioritize US equipment rather than European or other international equipment – the issue is that we are requesting the US for weapons which EU members are unable to supply,” said the ambassador.

Germany's national police will soon be allowed to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles, security chief announced on midweek, following multiple drone sightings believed to be Russian efforts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the minister said police would be authorized “to take state-of-the-art technical action against unmanned aircraft dangers, for example with electromagnetic pulses, electronic interference, GPS interference, but also with physical means”.

Regional Protection Challenges

EU chief said on Wednesday that the European Union should enhance its defenses to respond to Moscow's multifaceted attacks following airspace breaches, digital assaults and damage to undersea cables. “These aren't coincidental events. They constitute a systematic and intensifying operation,” the representative said in a presentation to the EU legislative body. “Several occurrences are coincidence, but multiple, repeated, numerous – this is a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against the European Union, and the EU needs to react.”

Displacement Status

The Swiss government has continued its refugee protection provided to Ukrainian refugees to at least March 2027. Humanitarian status, which enables individuals to travel abroad as well as work in Switzerland, is generally limited to twelve months but can be extended. “This determination demonstrates the ongoing dangerous conditions and continuing offensive operations across large parts of Ukraine,” said a Swiss government statement. “Notwithstanding global diplomatic initiatives, a enduring resolution that would enable protected homecoming is not projected in the medium term.”