Ukrainian authorities report that around 1,076 Cuban citizens are currently or have fought in the ranks of the Russian Army in the war initiated on February 24, 2022, by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to figures provided by Ukrainian intelligence (GUR) to the publication Kyiv Independent.
Furthermore, Russia launched attacks last night using over 300 drones and 37 missiles on infrastructure in at least five Ukrainian regions, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his social media.
"Last night brought attacks on our people, our energy sector, and our civilian infrastructure," wrote Zelensky, who denounced that some of the Shahed drones used by Russia are equipped with cluster munitions.
Merz to Propose Using Frozen Russian Assets at EU Summit
German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated on Thursday that he will propose to the European Union to use frozen Russian assets in the West to provide a loan of 140,000 million euros (163,000 million dollars) to Ukraine to finance its military efforts during the upcoming EU summit. Merz had previously advocated for a European interest-free loan backed by these frozen assets at the end of September.
"We do not want to do this to prolong the war, but to end it," Merz affirmed in a speech to the lower house of the Bundestag. "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin must understand that our support for Ukraine will not diminish but increase, and he cannot rely on surviving our determination."
Zelensky States Russia Used Over 300 Drones and 37 Missiles in Night Attack
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that Russia employed over 300 drones and 37 missiles in the nighttime attack on Ukrainian infrastructure.
"This autumn, the Russians seize every day to hit our energy infrastructure," declared Zelensky on Thursday on the X social network.
Russia Shoots Down 51 Ukrainian Drones over Seven Regions and Crimea
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 51 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones last night over seven regions of the country and the annexed peninsula of Crimea, as reported today by the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel.
According to the military report, the highest number of downings occurred in the regions of Saratov (12), Volgograd (11), and Rostov (8), with the latter being the only one with a border with Ukraine.
The anti-aircraft defenses also downed six drones over Crimea and two over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, whose waters bathe the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
Russian FSB Chief Affirms NATO's Involvement in Alleged Drone Incidents over the EU
The head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated on Thursday that Moscow has no doubt about NATO intelligence services' involvement in incidents related to alleged Russian drones over EU territory, as reported by the RIA agency.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed the creation of a "drone wall" after around 20 Russian drones allegedly entered Polish airspace last month, a member country of the EU and NATO.
Russian Attack Halts Gas Production Operations in Ukrainian Poltava Region
The Ukrainian private energy company DTEK reported that a nighttime Russian attack on energy infrastructure forced the suspension of operations at the gas production facilities in the Poltava region.
"During the night, the enemy once again attacked DTEK Naftogaz's energy infrastructure with drones and missiles," the company wrote in a statement released on Thursday on the Telegram messaging app.
Photos from Eastern Ukraine Camps Show the Difficult Situation of Internally Displaced Persons
Throughout eastern Ukraine, shelters and transit centers reflect the human cost of a war now entering its fourth year. Over 4.5 million people are officially registered as internally displaced, many arriving with little more than a bag.
Shared by six or more people, these temporary spaces - often cold abandoned bedrooms, tents, or empty basements - quickly become crowded shelters. Volunteers set up camp kitchens and hang curtains made from old sheets to provide some privacy. With each evacuee comes a silent settling of accounts.
Families who once led stable lives now navigate a fragile situation: they are no longer at home but have not yet resettled. Children wrap themselves in donated blankets while older evacuees wait in long lines for news about a new location.
Zaporizhia Ukrainian Nuclear Plant to Be Repaired "Soon," According to IAEA
The Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on Wednesday that he expects repairs to begin "soon" to restore the electrical supply at the Zaporizhia Ukrainian nuclear plant, the largest in Europe.
The plant, occupied by Russian forces since March 2022, lost its connection to the power grid on September 23 for the tenth time, in the longest external supply cut since Moscow's invasion.
"I continue to consult with Russia and Ukraine so that these works can start in the coming days," said Argentine Rafael Grossi, director of the UN nuclear agency.
UK Sanctions Russian Oil Companies Lukoil and Rosneft, Targets Shadow Fleet
The UK targeted Russia's two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as 51 tankers from the so-called "shadow fleet," in what it described as a new attempt to strengthen energy sanctions and cut off Kremlin's revenue sources.
Lukoil and Rosneft were included in the British sanctions list against Russia for what London described as their role in supporting the Russian government. Both are subject to asset freezes, director disqualifications, transport restrictions, and the prohibition of using British fiduciary services.
The British government noted that both companies are considered strategically significant for the Kremlin and their activities are economically relevant to Russia, contributing to state revenues that sustain its war in Ukraine.
Trump Claims India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil
US President, Donald Trump, stated on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India will cease buying Russian oil as part of efforts to reduce Moscow's energy revenues in response to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump mentioned that he did not like that Modi "was buying oil from Russia because it allows them to continue their absurd war," during a press conference at the White House.
The Republican made it clear that the Indian Prime Minister gave him assurances that they will gradually stop buying Russian oil due to India's dependency.
Ukrainian Police Arrest Six Soldiers for Extortion, Kidnapping, and Torture in Ternopil
The Ukrainian National Police announced the arrest of six Ukrainian soldiers for kidnapping, torturing, and extorting civilians in the Ternopil region of western Ukraine.
According to the Police statement, proceedings have been initiated against seven suspects of these crimes.
"The aggressors would take the victims out of the city, beat them, and demand money or goods," reads the Police note, which recovered a car obtained through these means by the suspects in the Kiev region.