Category: World

In Russia, cosmetics outlets are closing en masse, there aren’t any new footwear manufacturers in any respect, and the share of closed clothes shops in Moscow procuring centres has reached 38%.

Supply: Overseas Intelligence Service of Ukraine

Particulars: In keeping with its information, between January and September, solely 27 new manufacturers appeared in Russia – half as many as throughout the identical interval final 12 months.

It’s famous that as a result of collapse in client buying energy, rising rental charges, and credit score issues, the event of the style market has virtually come to a standstill. Most new manufacturers at the moment are shifting to on-line marketplaces, as opening an offline store has grow to be a luxurious.

"The market might solely start to revive as soon as the financial system stabilises and mortgage rates of interest lower. An analogous disaster occurred in 2015 – at the moment, retail restoration took practically three years," the Overseas Intelligence Service of Ukraine stated.

Background: The turnover of Ukrainian firms working in retail commerce reached UAH 936.6 billion (about US$22 billion) in January-June 2025, which is 17% larger than in the identical interval final 12 months.

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Russian forces have systematically bombed coal-fired energy stations, fuel storage amenities and substations in an effort to freeze Ukraine this winter, with every new strike making it tougher for Ukrainians to get by the season with ample electrical energy and warmth.

Supply: German tabloid Bild

Particulars: Bild reported that 55-60% of Ukraine's fuel infrastructure has been broken. In October, three separate days of missile assaults destroyed a part of Ukraine's warmth era capability. One Naftogaz fuel facility has sustained six strikes.

Bild cited Serhii Koretskyi, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, as saying that the Russians is not going to cease and everybody ought to preserve vitality use to a minimal.

Bild defined that if the grid collapses, Ukraine is susceptible to a catastrophically chilly winter, citing unnamed officers in Kyiv as saying that "the approaching winter would be the hardest [yet]".

German International Minister Johann Wadephul has referred to as on Western allies to help Ukraine, and Financial system Minister Katherina Reiche is dedicated to topping up the Ukraine Power Help Fund. Germany's contribution stands at €390 million, and an extra €60 million is earmarked.

Background:

• It was reported earlier that the heating season in Ukraine would start as deliberate, with the federal government adopting all of the resolutions required to make sure this.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced that the heating season in Ukraine began on 28 October 2025.

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A person and a lady in Kharkiv Oblast and two ladies in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast have been injured in Russian drone assaults.

Supply: Kharkiv Oblast Police; Vladyslav Haivanenko, appearing head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Navy Administration

Particulars: At about 12:00 on 29 October, an FPV drone struck the village of Pisky-Radkivski in Izium District, Kharkiv Oblast.

A 48-year-old man and a 46-year-old lady, each native residents, had been wounded when the drone hit a automobile. They had been taken to a district hospital.

Within the metropolis of Pavlohrad of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, two ladies had been injured in a UAV assault. A 46-year-old lady was hospitalised in a reasonable situation. A 58-year-old lady will obtain outpatient therapy. The roof of a kindergarten was broken within the assault.

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Ukraine's International Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that Ukraine is closing its embassy in Havana this yr and downgrading their diplomatic relations.

Supply: Ukraine's International Minister Andrii Sybiha on X (Twitter)

Particulars: Sybiha has stated that Ukraine has voted towards the United Nations Common Meeting decision "Necessity of ending the financial, industrial and monetary embargo imposed by the USA of America towards Cuba", including that this step has critical grounds.

Quote: "We keep in mind the Cuban president's want of 'success' to Putin in his warfare of aggression towards Ukraine. We heard it properly.

This yr, we determined to shut our embassy in Havana and downgrade our diplomatic ties.

Our vote just isn’t towards the Cuban folks – we respect their proper to stay in prosperity.

It’s towards the inaction of Cuba's authorities in response to huge recruitment of Cuban residents to the Russian occupation military."

Extra particulars: Sybiha added that hundreds of Cubans have signed contracts, swelling the ranks of troopers immediately concerned in fight on Ukrainian soil.

Quote: "The unwillingness of Havana to cease the huge deployment of its nationals within the Russian warfare towards Ukraine constitutes complicity in aggression and should be condemned within the strongest phrases."

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned that in current days Ukrainian troops have gained "extra management" within the metropolis Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.

Supply: Zelenskyy's tackle

Quote: "The scenario in Kupiansk stays tough, however our forces have gained extra management in current days. We proceed to defend our positions."

Particulars: Zelenskyy has mentioned that he mentioned the scenario on all fronts intimately with Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the Basic Workers.

Quote: "The hardest scenario is now on the Pokrovsk axis. As in earlier weeks, that is the place the combating is most intense and the place Russian forces are most concentrated. The occupiers are attempting to consolidate their positions by any means, and each invader eradicated proper there’s an achievement for our complete state."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy additionally reported that "dozens of assault operations happen day by day" on the Oleksandrivka entrance.

Background:

• Earlier on 29 October, Putin falsely claimed that Ukrainian troops within the cities of Kupiansk and Pokrovsk have been blocked and encircled.
• The Kremlin chief mentioned that "Ukraine's political management should decide concerning the destiny of its residents who’re encircled… simply as they as soon as did in Azovstal".
• Ukraine's Joint Forces Job Drive has said that heavy combating continues within the metropolis of Kupiansk and its outskirts in Kharkiv Oblast, however reviews of Ukrainian troops being encircled there are false.

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The share of Ukrainian youngsters experiencing vital stress has elevated by 10% over the previous yr, typically exacerbated by anxiousness mirrored from their dad and mom, a brand new survey by the Score sociological group has proven.

Supply: a survey by Score Group, a Ukrainian impartial analysis establishment

Particulars: The report has discovered that 37% of kids have elevated or excessive ranges of stress, up by 10% on final yr.

The rise has been particularly marked amongst women aged 10-13, with stress intensifying over the yr for 40% of respondents on this group.

Rising stress amongst adolescents typically comes with adverse emotions; about 1 in 10 has been experiencing disappointment.

Against this, youngsters whose stress has decreased over the yr report pleasure, calm and curiosity extra regularly, with decrease ranges of hysteria, unhappiness and disappointment.

The survey reveals that in roughly one in 5 circumstances the dominant feelings of kids and fogeys have coincided in latest months. Mostly that is anxiousness, which youngsters tackle from their dad and mom, which ends up in elevated stress ranges.

The survey coated greater than 1,500 youngsters/adolescents aged 10-18 and their dad and mom. Fieldwork has been carried out from 3 to 7 October 2025 utilizing phone interviews and on-line surveys.

Background: A separate examine has proven that Ukrainians report a middling degree of life satisfaction, with anxiousness rising, significantly amongst residents of the east of Ukraine and people aged over 60.

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The European Union has agreed to allocate about €50 million below its ensures for a joint challenge by Ukraine's Ministry of Well being and the World Financial institution to rebuild Ukrainian hospitals.

Supply: Ukraine's Ministry of Well being, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The choice has been made on the fifth assembly of the Steering Committee of the Ukraine Funding Framework (UIF). The EU-backed funds will go to the joint Ministry of Well being-World Financial institution challenge Strengthening the Well being System and Saving Lives (HEAL Ukraine).

About €50 million shall be directed to the reconstruction of hospitals which have suffered important harm on account of hostilities or are working below elevated stress. These embody, firstly, services serving internally displaced individuals.

The assembly has additionally mentioned a format for Czech funding below the programme Renovation and Modernization of Hospitals.

As of 1 October 2025, harm or whole destruction has been confirmed at 2,489 buildings throughout 804 healthcare services. Of those, 2,162 have been partially broken and 327 have been utterly destroyed.

Essentially the most hits have been suffered by Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Chernihiv and Mykolaiv oblasts.

Background:

• Earlier, Estonia has mentioned it is able to host the Ukraine Restoration Convention in 2027.
• In September, america made the primary contribution to the reconstruction fund created below the minerals deal.

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Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin has boasted that Russia has examined the Poseidon underwater system geared up with a nuclear energy unit, claiming it has no analogues on this planet and can’t be intercepted.

Supply: Putin at a gathering with individuals within the struggle towards Ukraine, as reported by Kremlin-aligned Russian information companies RIA Novosti and TASS

Quote: "Yesterday, we carried out exams of one other superior system – the unmanned underwater car Poseidon. It’s also geared up with a nuclear energy unit…

The ability of Poseidon considerably exceeds that of even our most superior intercontinental missile, [RS-28] Sarmat. There may be nothing prefer it on this planet, simply as there may be nothing like Sarmat, which is able to quickly enter fight responsibility. However Poseidon is much extra highly effective than Sarmat. Furthermore, when it comes to the velocity and depth of this unmanned car, there may be nothing comparable on this planet, nor will there be any time quickly, and interception is not possible."

Particulars: Putin informed his navy viewers that "that is vital" for them, as they’re combating on the entrance towards Ukraine and questioning what they’re combating for and the way ready Russia shall be to hold on their work in the middle of the invasion.

The Russian ruler additionally talked about the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile of "limitless vary", whose exams he reported on 26 October.

Putin stated the Burevestnik's nuclear propulsion system is a thousand occasions smaller than a submarine reactor with comparable energy, and its nuclear reactor "begins up inside minutes and even seconds".

He added that the nuclear applied sciences used within the Burevestnik could be utilized within the lunar programme, and its electronics are already being utilized in house initiatives.

Background:

• On 26 October, Putin held a gathering with Chief of Russia's Common Employees Valery Gerasimov on exams of the Burevestnik cruise missile with a nuclear energy unit. He claimed the exams "as soon as once more confirmed the reliability of Russia's nuclear defend" and stated that the Burevestnik is a "distinctive weapon that nobody else on this planet has".
• Putin's assertion on missile testing got here as US President Donald Trump introduced sanctions towards Russian oil corporations Rosneft and Lukoil. The US president additionally cancelled a deliberate assembly with Putin in Budapest.
• On 23 October, the European Union accredited its nineteenth package deal of sanctions towards Russia.
• Again in 2022, Putin had ordered that Sarmat intercontinental missiles be placed on fight responsibility, although media retailers reported 5 failed launches.
• Simply weeks earlier than the US presidential election, Putin amended Russia's nuclear doctrine in an try to intimidate the West amid discussions of authorising long-range strikes on Russian territory.

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Following Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken's declaration that "Moscow will probably be wiped off the map" if Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin decides to assault a NATO capital reminiscent of Brussels, the Russian Embassy in Belgium has issued an announcement calling Francken's remarks irresponsible.

Supply: Francken in an interview with Belgian newspaper De Morgen, as reported by European Pravda; Russian Embassy in Belgium

Particulars: Francken emphasised that Western international locations should not permit themselves to be intimidated.

Requested whether or not he feared that Putin would possibly at some point launch a non-nuclear missile on Brussels, Francken replied: "No, as a result of then he will probably be putting on the coronary heart of NATO, and we are going to wipe Moscow off the map."

The Russian Embassy in Belgium has issued an announcement describing Francken's phrases as "provocative" and "irresponsible".

Quote: "Francken's adventurism is, regrettably, an embodiment of a militarist deviation that’s gaining ever extra momentum within the European celebration of struggle."

Francken mentioned within the interview that he doubts Putin would dare to launch a missile on Brussels.

Quote: "I'm extra involved about situations within the gray zone: little 'inexperienced males' in Estonia inciting the Russian-speaking minority towards 'the Nazi regime'. Earlier than you recognize it, they'll have annexed a part of Estonia." ["Green men" are unmarked Russian soldiers or operatives who appear in foreign territories to carry out covert operations in order to destabilise or annex regions without overtly declaring military action – ed.]

Background:

• Russia has repeatedly carried out provocations violating NATO international locations' airspace, most notably an incursion into Estonian airspace in mid-September.
• Earlier, Normal Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, mentioned that the Alliance's agency response to Russia's airspace violations in Poland and Estonia has compelled Moscow to behave extra cautiously.

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DeepState has reported that Russian forces are persevering with to infiltrate Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, regularly growing their infantry presence and increasing sabotage and reconnaissance actions throughout the metropolis.

Supply: DeepState, a Ukrainian group of army analysts

Particulars: DeepState reviews that Russia has been trying to penetrate town since July, systematically focusing on "breakthrough" factors in Ukrainian defences and intensifying strain by deploying infantry alongside drones and different weapons in opposition to Ukrainian positions and logistics.

Weak factors have been recognized within the settlements of Zvirove and Shevchenko and alongside the railway from Kotlyne to Pokrovsk, DeepState signifies.

The analysts additionally be aware that "a number of hundred" Russian troopers have entered town, persevering with to seep deeper into Pokrovsk, staging ambushes on motion routes, planting explosives alongside roads and conducting fight operations in opposition to Ukrainian rear items (digital warfare/digital alerts intelligence help, artillery, mortars, and many others.). Russian drone operators have reportedly been deployed on the southern outskirts of town, intensifying strikes on logistics and unit actions.

DeepState emphasised that Russian actions intensified following a large-scale infantry advance, which disrupted logistical routes to Myrnohrad and the encircling space.

Quote: "The worst is that the enemy has managed to interrupt logistics within the route of Myrnohrad and the entire agglomeration of town. Along with infantry ambushes, the enemy is actively utilizing drones, which monitor and strike actions to positions, provisions, and many others. Exercise of enemy pilots has considerably elevated as infantry started to seep into town and the enemy drone operators assist to destroy our logistics, enabling them to slowly take up town."

Extra particulars: DeepState requires prioritising the closure of infiltration routes and conducting large-scale mop-up operations by a complete brigade as a substitute of small teams, to be able to preserve management of town.

Quote: "It’s critically vital to dam the enemy's infiltration routes which are supposedly being held and to hold out a mop-up operation by a full brigade, not by small special-forces teams, which, sadly, will do nothing on their very own and we have already got such an instance in one other metropolis. The state of affairs in Pokrovsk is on the verge of vital and continues to worsen to the purpose the place it might be too late to repair."

Learn additionally: How Pokrovsk is imperceptibly falling: five observations by Ukrainska Pravda

Background:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that the principle strike group of Russian forces has been concentrated in opposition to Pokrovsk.
• Ukrainska Pravda has discovered that a minimum of 250 Russian troopers within the metropolis are partaking in firefights and killing Ukrainian personnel on their positions, significantly UAV operators.
• Logistics to Pokrovsk have been reportedly positioned below near-total drone management, with Ukrainian defenders overlaying 10-15 km on foot to succeed in positions.
• Based on DeepState, the Russians have superior in Pokrovsk, the place 45 fight engagements have taken place over the previous 24 hours.

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