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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A man passes by a newly installed mobile blast shelter in Kyiv on Oct. 16, 2026. (Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Sky closed over Moscow multiple nights in row as Ukraine resumes refinery strikes. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency announced restrictions at three of Moscow’s four major airports, while the Transportation Ministry said the region’s aviation operations were under “special monitoring.”
‘They were both in on it’ — Musk suggested Trump restrict Ukraine’s Starlink service, Telegraph reports. Four sources familiar with the discussion said that Elon Musk approached U.S. President Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Ukraine’s Starlink service on the battlefield.
Zelensky’s ask: 300 Patriot missiles, 70 billion euros, and Russian assets. “Without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions, Putin would have gone much further by now,” Zelensky said, before calling on the bloc to double down on its support.
Russian industrial facility reportedly on fire after drone attack in Surgut region. Ukrainian activist and volunteer Serhii Sternenko claimed the facility was the Surgut Condensate Stabilization Plant, which processes gas condensate and produces petroleum products.
Amid Trump tensions, Zelensky says Ukraine will stand its ground — with Europe’s support. “I am standing up for Ukraine’s interests solely and the people of Ukraine. We were attacked, we were occupied, our people were killed,” Zelensky said when asked to comment on Trump’s latest attacks against him.
‘Gas deals will follow’ — Zelensky warns Trump could ease more sanctions on Russia. “It will all come down to the banking system, individual people, and the chemical industry,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukrainian military strikes million-dollar Russian radar in Krasnodar Krai, General Staff claim. ‘Striking such systems reduces the enemy’s ability to monitor airspace and detect aerial assets in time. The estimated cost of the radar station is about US $100 million,’ the General Staff said.
Emergency blackouts in Kyiv, as Klitschko announces start of heating season. Kyiv’s centralised heating systems will be turned on, starting with social institutions such as schools, hospitals, and kindergartens. The decision was sparked by “extreme conditions” created by constant bombardment, Klitschko said.
4 Russian drones violate Moldovan airspace during overnight attack against Ukraine. The incidents underscore the growing security risks posed to Moldova and the region by Russia’s war against neighboring Ukraine.
Zelensky thanks EU’s ‘real leaders’ for their continued support as bloc confirms new sanctions package on the way. “We supported Trump’s energy ceasefire but we see Russia did not respect it, and so we have to increase the pressure,” von der Leyen told journalists before announcing that the EU is working on a new 22nd package of sanctions against Russia.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Drone attack sparks fire at industrial facility in Russia’s Surgut district
A fire broke out at an industrial facility in Russia’s Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District following a drone attack, regional governor Ruslan Kukharuk said on Oct. 16, while Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko said the facility was the Surgut Condensate Stabilization Plant.
Photo: Exilenova+/Telegram
Russia’s war reaches Bulgaria’s shores, putting Radev’s Moscow-friendly stance to the test
The balancing act of Bulgaria’s leader stands on shaky ground. Since taking office in May, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has taken a harsh line on Ukraine while adopting steps his critics say are accommodating to Moscow. His course has now come under scrutiny.
Photo: Nikolay Doychinov / AFP via Getty Images
Europe’s far right has a Putin problem
Europe’s far-right parties grow increasingly divided on something that once united them — sympathies for Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Photo: Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP via Getty Images
Human costs of war
Russian attacks put millions of Ukrainians at risk of displacement this winter, UN Migration says. Where heating is available, many cannot afford to adequately heat their homes. Only 32% of households reported being able to do so during the last heating season, a figure that dropped to just 1% in frontline regions.
Russian attacks kill at least 3, injure 53 across Ukraine, as Moscow hammers energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 149 Shahed-type drones, 108 of them jet-powered.
Opinions and insights
There is nothing apolitical about the scientists behind Russian weapons
A lunchtime drone attack on the head office of Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv’s downtown on Sept. 28, 2026, might have come as a shock to scientists based outside the country.
Photo: Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
International response
Trump waives latest Russia sanctions amid growing Ukraine-US tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a broad waiver of sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on Oct. 16.
US lawmaker introduces bill blocking Trump’s Russian diesel deal. “This deal won’t lower costs for the American people, who are already paying forTrump’s failed war of choice in Iran. It will hand Putin millions of dollars to continue slaughtering Ukrainian civilians with impunity.”
Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky during call with Putin. The pope called for a local ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the safe evacuation of civilians from the front-line city, where around 2,000 residents remain trapped amid severe shortages of food and medicine.
Ukraine, Turkey discuss securing Black Sea shipping as $10 billion in exports at risk. Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi raised the issue during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine Fatma Ceren Yazgan earlier this week.
EU doubles down on helping Ukraine’s rule of law with new task force. “This step shows our commitment to supporting Ukraine’s path to EU membership,” the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.
Belgium promises to deliver 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year. De Wever said that Ukraine urgently needed the fighter jets, as they were one of the few weapons capable to strike Russian jet-powered drones.
Zelensky, Hungary’s Magyar hold first ‘one-on-one’ talks at EU summit. “We see the Ukrainian parliament’s adoption of the minority education law and the immediate start of its implementation as a first step towards rebuilding mutual trust,” Magyar said on X after the meeting.
Austria slams Ukraine’s opaque finances, with ‘so many numbers swirling around.’ “We have to classify so that we know how we can shape the support and solidarity with Ukraine in the future,” Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker said.
Czech Prime Minister Babis rails against EU budget support for Ukraine. “I don’t like that there are 100 billion euros ($112 billion) from the European budget for Ukraine, that this money should be borrowed,” said Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
Poland provided aid to defend Kyiv, Zelensky says. Zelensky said Poland had provided ammunition used by Ukraine’s anti-aircraft guns, but also hinted at other support which would have to remain confidential.
Anne Applebaum on the contradiction of Trump’s support of Russia
In other news
Zelensky calls on EU to keep Moldova’s membership bid shackled to Ukraine. “It would be simply wrong to split us apart on our way into the EU — I hope not. Morally wrong,” President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders.
Ukraine’s plan to tighten military exemptions draws fire from lawmakers, businesses. On Oct. 16, 63 lawmakers registered a draft resolution calling on the government to reverse its changes, consult with businesses, and reconsider a proposed “coordination center” overseeing the exemption system.
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