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Russian authorities is implementing a psychological influence operation of warnings to discourage the US from supplying precision-guided weapons to Ukraine, as reported by conflict researchers. A senior Russian lawmaker stated: “We understand these projectiles thoroughly, their operational characteristics, defensive countermeasures, we encountered them in Syria, so there is nothing new. Only those who supply them and the deploying forces will encounter difficulties … We will identify methods to target those who cause us trouble.”

Ukrainian Defensive Operations Progress

Ukraine's military were imposing substantial damage in a counteroffensive in eastern Donetsk region, the war's main theatre, the Ukrainian president stated on midweek. Kyiv's report, based on a communication with his senior military officer, contradicted Vladimir Putin's remarks to high-ranking military personnel a previous day in which he claimed Moscow's forces possessed the operational control in every combat zone.

Based on evaluation covering October's first week, military analysts said Russia was suffering significant losses, especially due to Ukrainian drone attacks, in exchange for limited tactical advances. Kyiv's troops, Ukraine's leader reported, were “protecting our positions along all other directions”, mentioning particularly Kupiansk, a significantly ruined town in Ukraine's northeast under heavy Russian assaults for several months.

Area Conditions

The regional governor in Ukraine's southern region of the Kherson oblast said military strikes on Wednesday killed three people in and around the regional capital of Kherson city. The governor of northern Sumy, on the northern border with neighboring Russia, said three individuals were killed in unmanned aerial strikes in different districts. Kyiv's air command said it successfully countered most of the offensive unmanned aircraft during the night.

A Russian attack substantially impacted critical infrastructure, government sources stated on midweek. Two workers were wounded in the assault, based on information from power utility representatives. Sources gave minimal specifics, including the plant's location, but national sources said Russia struck critical utilities in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv, the Kherson area and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Civilian Effects

In the border community of Shostka, hit hard by the Russian onslaught against the power supply, authorities have created emergency spaces where people can seek warmth, receive warm beverages, maintain communication capability and access mental health services, as reported by administrative leader.

Global Reactions

Ukraine's ambassador to Nato on midweek encouraged NATO members to accelerate procurement of American military equipment for Ukraine. “It's not that we prioritize US equipment over French or German or alternative military systems – the challenge remains that we are requesting the US for systems that European nations don't possess,” said Ukraine's NATO envoy.

German federal police will immediately gain permission to shoot down drones, interior minister declared on midweek, following multiple drone sightings considered likely Moscow's attempts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the official said security forces could legally “to employ state-of-the-art technical action against drone threats, such as electromagnetic pulses, electronic interference, GPS interference, but also with kinetic methods”.

European Protection Challenges

EU chief said on midweek that the European Union should strengthen its protective capabilities to counter Moscow's multifaceted attacks following air incursions, computer network operations and submarine infrastructure disruption. “This doesn't represent coincidental events. It is a organized and growing strategy,” the leader said in a presentation to the European parliament. “Several occurrences are random chance, but several, many, frequent – this is a deliberate and targeted ambiguous warfare operation against the European Union, and Europe must respond.”

Humanitarian Status

The Swiss authorities has extended its refugee protection granted to Ukrainian refugees to at least 4 March 2027. Humanitarian status, which allows people to leave the country as well as work in Switzerland, is normally capped at a single year but can be renewed. “The ruling shows the persistent unstable environment and persistent Russian attacks across extensive regions of the country,” said a federal announcement. “Notwithstanding worldwide negotiation attempts, a enduring resolution that would enable secure repatriation is not expected in the coming years.”