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Moscow is implementing a strategic manipulation operation of threats to discourage the US from supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, according to defense experts. A high-ranking legislator remarked: “We know these weapons thoroughly, their operational characteristics, defensive countermeasures, we tested against them in the Syrian conflict, so this is not innovative. Only those who supply them and the operators will encounter difficulties … We will develop strategies to target those who cause us trouble.”

Ukraine's Defensive Operations Situation

Kyiv's troops were imposing substantial damage in a military operation in eastern Ukraine, the war's main theatre, Ukraine's leader said on Wednesday. Zelenskyy's assessment, based on a briefing from his top commander, contrasted with the Russian president's speech before high-ranking military personnel a previous day in which he claimed Moscow's forces maintained the operational control in all frontline sectors.

In an assessment from October's first week, conflict monitors said Russia was experiencing substantial casualties, especially due to drone strikes by Ukraine, in exchange for minor territorial gains. Kyiv's troops, Ukraine's leader reported, were “defending ourselves along various sectors”, mentioning particularly the Kupiansk area, a heavily damaged town in Ukraine's northeast under sustained offensive operations for an extended period.

Local Conditions

Administrative officials in southern Ukraine of Kherson said offensive operations on midweek caused three deaths in and around the regional capital of the same name. Administrative officials of northern Sumy, on the border area with Russia, said three people died in UAV assaults in different districts. Ukrainian aerial defense said it intercepted or jammed 154 out of 183 attack and decoy UAVs through the evening.

An offensive strike substantially impacted one of Ukraine's thermal power plants, authorities said on midweek. Two employees were injured in the attack, as reported by industry sources. They provided limited details, about the site's whereabouts, but Ukrainian authorities said Russia struck energy infrastructure in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv, southern Kherson and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Civilian Impact

In the north-eastern Sumy town of northeastern Ukraine, significantly damaged by the military campaign against the energy infrastructure, authorities have put up tents where people can find shelter, drink hot tea, maintain communication capability and obtain emotional assistance, according to local official.

Global Measures

Ukraine's ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Wednesday encouraged NATO members to step up purchases of United States armaments for Kyiv. “This doesn't mean we prefer American weapons over allied or some other European weapons – the issue is that we are asking the America for equipment that European countries don't possess,” said the ambassador.

German federal police will immediately gain permission to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles, security chief said on midweek, in response to numerous drone sightings believed to be foreign operations to spy and intimidate. Presenting proposed legislation, the official said police would be authorized “to implement sophisticated countermeasures against drone threats, for example with EMP technology, jamming, navigation system disruption, but also with direct interception”.

European Defense Challenges

EU chief stated on midweek that EU nations need to strengthen its defenses to deter Russia's “hybrid warfare” in response to aerial violations, cyber-attacks and marine communications interference. “These aren't isolated incidents. This represents a coherent and escalating campaign,” the official said in a presentation to the European parliament. “Two incidents are isolated incidents, but three, five, ten – this is a deliberate and targeted ambiguous warfare operation against Europe, and Europe must respond.”

Humanitarian Situation

The Swiss government has prolonged its temporary shelter granted to Ukrainian refugees to at least March 2027. Protection status S, which allows people to travel abroad as well as work in Switzerland, is normally capped at a single year but can be extended. “The decision reflects the continued unstable environment and persistent Russian attacks across large parts of Ukraine,” said a Swiss government statement. “Regardless of international peace efforts, a enduring resolution that would allow for protected homecoming is not projected in the coming years.”