The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Ukrainian firefighters put out a fire in a commercial building following a strike by a Russian FPV drone and under threat from further drone attacks, in Kramatorsk, on Oct. 10, 2026. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
‘Every extra billion will be spent on this’ — Zelensky warns as missiles hit Kyiv after Russia sanctions relief. Loud explosions rang out in Kyiv around 2 p.m. on Oct. 10, according to Kyiv Independent journalists in the city, as Russia launched a series of missiles at the city following a morning drone attack on energy infrastructure.
‘Will only lead to more slaughter’ — bipartisan backlash erupts in US over Trump-Russia diesel deal. Lawmakers from both major parties argued the move would undermine recently enacted sanctions against Russia, potentially provide Moscow with billions of dollars in revenue, and contradict Congress’s efforts to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
‘He better damn well stop’ — Trump slams Zelensky for attacking Russian refineries, says Ukraine should get ‘new president.’ “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” U.S. President Donald Trump said when questioned about his deal to ease sanctions against Russia in exchange for diesel.
Russia partially lifts ban on diesel exports after Trump-Putin deal. Effective Oct. 10, the Russian government will permit the sale of 500,000 tons of diesel to foreign markets. Moscow previously banned diesel exports in July in response to Ukrainian strikes.
Third Yandex data center in Russia shut down following reported drone attack.
On Oct. 10, Yandex updated its user agreement to include drone and missile attacks among circumstances of force majeure that could exempt the company from contractual obligations.
Civilians evacuated from Russian-occupied territories, including Chornobyl disaster responder. Ukraine continues to quietly coordinate evacuations from temporarily Russian-occupied territories, where residents’ quality of life is severely diminished, particularly those who are elderly, disabled or require medical treatment.
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Exclusive: ‘It felt like a trap.’ How Ukraine was blindsided by Trump’s Putin pivot
Kyiv had not been informed of the decision in advance. Although Zelensky publicly acknowledged that Washington was considering a deal with Moscow, Ukrainian officials said they had not known the details before the announcement that evening.
Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Inside Ukraine’s robot army fighting Russia
Human costs of war
Russian attacks kill at least 24, injure 47 across Ukraine as rescue operations continue in Zaporizhzhia. Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 160 drones, including 110 jet-powered drones and Gerbera drones, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
Russian guided bombs hit Zaporizhzhia residential neighborhood, killing at least 20, injuring 18. Three children were among those killed by a Russian airstrike in the early hours of Oct. 10. Some victims were trapped for hours beneath the rubble as rescuers searched for survivors.
11-year-old boy killed, five injured by Russian drone attack in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The latest attacks in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast follow several days of deadly Russian strikes across Ukraine, hitting residential buildings and critical civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, disrupting power and water supplies, and damaging bridges and other infrastructure.
International response
New compromise EU budget maintains Ukraine support, but trims help for EU integration. “Our commitment to Ukraine is central to our overall ambitions,” reads a text explaining the EU’s latest compromise budget proposal.
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In other news
US Democrats call on FBI Director Kash Patel to cancel upcoming trip to Russia. In the letter, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Jim Himes urged the FBI director to cancel the visit, citing “urgent national security concerns,” including the FSB’s history of conducting espionage operations against American officials.
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