🔗 Share this article

Moscow is conducting a “reflexive control” operation of threats to deter the US from delivering Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, according to defense experts. A high-ranking Russian lawmaker declared: “We understand these weapons very well, their flight patterns, how to shoot them down, we worked on them in Middle East operations, so there is nothing new. Those delivering them and those who use them will have problems … We will find ways to target those who cause us trouble.”

Ukraine's Counteroffensive Situation

Ukrainian forces were imposing substantial damage in a military operation in eastern Ukraine, the primary conflict zone, the Ukrainian president reported on midweek. Kyiv's report, following a report by his chief of defense, contradicted Moscow's address to defense leadership a day earlier in which he said the invading army possessed the strategic initiative in every combat zone.

In an assessment dated early October, military analysts said Russia was suffering significant losses, mainly because of unmanned aerial vehicle assaults, in return for limited tactical advances. Defending units, Ukraine's leader reported, were “defending ourselves along various sectors”, highlighting especially Kupiansk, a significantly ruined urban area in north-eastern Ukraine under heavy Russian assaults for months.

Regional Conditions

Local authorities in southern Ukraine of Kherson said offensive operations on midweek resulted in three fatalities in and around the urban center of Kherson city. Administrative officials of northern Sumy, on the northern frontier with Russia, said three people died in Russian drone attacks in multiple locations. Ukrainian aerial defense said it intercepted or jammed 154 out of 183 Russian strike and decoy drones during the night.

A Russian attack substantially impacted one of Ukraine's thermal power plants, officials reported on Wednesday. Two workers were injured in the attack, as reported by power utility representatives. Sources gave no further information, regarding the plant's location, but government officials said Russia struck power facilities in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv, southern Ukraine and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Humanitarian Consequences

In the border community of Shostka, hit hard by the military campaign against the energy infrastructure, local government has created emergency spaces where people can warm up, receive warm beverages, power electronic devices and receive psychological support, based on information from regional head.

Diplomatic Reactions

The Ukrainian diplomat to Nato on midweek encouraged NATO members to step up purchases of US weapons for Ukrainian forces. “It's not that we prefer American weapons over allied or other international equipment – the challenge remains that we require the United States for weapons which EU members don't possess,” said Ukraine's NATO envoy.

Germany's national police will soon be allowed to shoot down drones, security chief said on Wednesday, in response to numerous drone sightings believed to be Moscow's attempts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the representative said police would be authorized “to take advanced technological measures against unmanned aircraft dangers, such as EMP technology, electronic interference, GPS interference, but also with physical means”.

European Protection Issues

EU chief said on Wednesday that Europe must enhance its protective capabilities to counter complex threat operations after aerial violations, computer network operations and marine communications interference. “This is not coincidental events. They constitute a systematic and intensifying operation,” the leader said in a speech to the European lawmakers. “Two incidents are random chance, but multiple, repeated, numerous – this is a planned and specific grey zone campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond.”

Humanitarian Conditions

The Swiss authorities has extended its refugee protection offered to people fleeing Ukraine to at least 4 March 2027. Humanitarian status, which allows people to leave the country as well as seek employment there, is generally limited to twelve months but can be renewed. “The decision reflects the continued dangerous conditions and persistent Russian attacks across significant Ukrainian territory,” said a Swiss government statement. “Despite international peace efforts, a enduring resolution that would permit secure repatriation is not expected in the coming years.”