Prepared by Sofia Oliynyk, Maryana Zaviyska, Anna Dovha
Defenders day.
Today Ukraine celebrates Defenders Day honoring all those men and women serving on different frontlines to protect the unity and sovereignty of Ukraine. In times of full-scale Russian invasion, the day carries special significance recognising bravery and sacrifice of men and women to defend our country. President Zelenskyi in his address stressed the role of defenders on all fronts – military, volunteers, journalists, diplomats, etc. Olena Zelenska undelines that currently 41,000 women are military personnel, of which more than 8000 are female officers. Another 18 thousand are those who work in the army system, so that the army works. #DefendingUkraine rallies will take place across the world in 50 countries during 14-16 October to honor the defenders that stand at the forefront of defending
Foreign policy.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution in which it recognized the Russian regime as terrorist and confirmed the sovereignty of Ukraine. The resolution also includes providing Ukraine with air defense systems, clearing international organizations of Russian agents.
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution by a large majority, calling on countries not to recognise the four regions of Ukraine which Russia has claimed, following so-called referendums held late last month, and demanding that Moscow reverse course on its ‘attempted illegal annexation’.
High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell stated that ‘any nuclear attack against Ukraine will create an answer, not a nuclear answer but such a powerful answer from the military side that the Russian Army will be annihilated.’
On October 12, the sixth meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine in the ‘Rammstein’ format was held in Brussels, in which representatives of almost 50 countries participated. According to the results of the meeting, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA promised to support Ukraine by providing military aid.
Russians with a valid Schengen visa issued for the purpose of tourism, sport or culture by any EU state will be denied entry to the Czech Republic from October 25.
The Council of the European Union agreed on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued on the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia.
Cities under attack.
On October 12-13, the Russian invaders continued terrorizing the cities of Ukraine and targeting energy infrastructure. Kharkiv region. During October 12, the Russian military shelled settlements located close to the border with the Russian Federation and the contact line. On October 12, 2 people were injured in Izium and Kupiansk districts. On October 13, the Russian invaders launched missile attacks on Kharkiv and the region. The critical infrastructure in the region was damaged. Mykolaiv region. On the morning of October 12, the Russian military fired artillery at the Kutsurubsk community. As a result, more than 15 residential buildings were destroyed in one of the settlements. Also, there is currently no electricity, water and gas supply. No casualties were reported. During the day, the settlements of Berezhuvatska and Shyrokivska communities were under fire. As a result, 15 private houses were damaged and 1 house was completely destroyed. No casualties were reported. At night on October 13, Mykolaiv was attacked. A five-story building and a river shuttle station were hit. Two people were killed. Zaporizhzhia region. At night on October 12, the Russian invaders launched a missile attack on Zaporizhzhia. In one of the villages close to Zaporizhzhia: a residential building was partially destroyed, rescuers found three people under the rubble. On October 13, the city of Orikhiv was under attack. One person was killed, 9 people were injured. The civil infrastructure facility and utility networks, houses were destroyed.
Cities under occupation.
State Language Protection Commissioner Taras Kremin stated that more than 200 cases of linguicide of the Ukrainian language were recorded in the occupied territories. ‘Discrimination, persecution and repression against Ukrainian citizens on the basis of language is one of the components of Putin’s policy of genocide of the Ukrainian people,’ he noted. Zaporizhzhia region. The Russian occupiers almost completely blocked the departure of residents from the occupied part of the region after Russia signed the annexation of the temporarily occupied territories. It is also currently known about at least 529 people in the region who were kidnapped by the Russians.
Crimea.
Andriy Yusov, representative of the Ukrainian Main Department of Intelligence, called the activities of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and the Russian investigative committee regarding the investigation of the Crimean Bridge attack nonsense. ‘These are fake structures that serve the Putin regime, so we will definitely not comment on their next statements,’ he said. The US businessman Elon Musk blocked Ukraine from using Starlink in Crimea, Insider reported. It is noted that he did it over concern that Putin could use nuclear weapons.
Liberation.
Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated 5 settlements in the Kherson region – Novovasylivka, Novohrykhorivka, Nova Kamianka, Trifonivka and Chervone.
Energy security.
In response to the 8th package of EU sanctions against Russia, Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s refusal to supply energy resources to countries that would limit their prices.
On October 11, a leak in the Druzhba pipeline was detected. The damaged line is used to deliver crude oil to Germany. Pumping on the damaged line was immediately switched off. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Russian interests could be behind the accident at the Druzhba oil pipeline. However, he noted that it has not yet been investigated whether it was caused by sabotage or accidental damage.
Food security.
Moscow has submitted concerns to the United Nations about an agreement on Black Sea grain exports, and is prepared to reject renewing the deal next month unless its demands are addressed, Reuters reported. UN officials are due to arrive in Moscow on October 16 to discuss extending the agreement.
Human rights.
Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrskyi reported that in the territories liberated from the Russians, almost all places of mass burials of citizens were mined.
The state portal ‘Children of War’ reported that 8,140 children are currently known to have been deported to Russia. Only 96 children were returned to Ukraine.
The head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, made an urgent demand to the International Committee of the Red Cross: in the coming days, send its mission to the colony in Olenivka in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region, where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held and where more than 50 defenders of Ukraine were killed in late July as a result of terrorist attack by the Russian occupiers. He stated that otherwise Ukraine will use all possible informational and diplomatic means to move this issue from its place.
Another exchange of prisoners of war took place. 20 Ukrainian soldiers returned home from Russian captivity.
Sanctions.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, by his order, re-introduced personal sanctions against the ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, ex-Minister of Defense of Ukraine Pavlo Lebedev, and Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska.
In relation to Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory, Switzerland approved on 12 October the addition of some 30 individuals and entities to the sanctions list.
Economic security.
Ukraine received 1.3 billion dollars of additional emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund. The funds will be used to finance priority needs: strengthening defense capabilities, paying pensions, social programs and supporting the economy. In addition, the European Commission has issued €11 billion in a dual tranche transaction, the proceeds of which will be used to support Ukraine. The deal consisted of a €5 billion tap of the 7-year bond and a new 20-year bond of €6 billion.
On October 12, the European Investment Bank transferred an additional 550 million euros to our country. The funds will help, in particular, cover the costs of repairing damaged energy infrastructure facilities and support the stability of the Ukrainian power grid.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi stated that to cover the deficit of the state budget of Ukraine next year, 38 billion dollars will be needed. In particular, this money should be used for social benefits, salaries and pensions. To tackle the economic problems, Volodymyr Zelenskyi also announced a financial ‘Rammstein’ for Ukraine. ‘Financial ‘Rammstein’ is a systemic tool for constant support of our struggle for freedom,’ he said.
Awards.
Ukrainian public broadcaster ‘Suspilne’ has won the Gunnar Høidahl Award for Outstanding Achievement in News Exchange at Eurovision News Exchange (EVN) 2022 and for its coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Reading corner.
Statistics.
- General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the total estimated losses of the Russian military as of 10 a.m., October 14, 2022: personnel – around 64300, tanks ‒ 2521, APV ‒ 5172, artillery systems – 1566, MLRS – 362, anti-aircraft warfare systems – 186, fixed-wing aircraft – 268, helicopters – 240, operational-tactical level UAV – 1199, cruise missiles –316, boats and light speed boats – 16, soft-skinned vehicles and fuel tankers – 3944, special equipment – 142.
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