U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that, for now, he is not considering a deal to allow Ukraine to acquire long-range Tomahawk missiles for use against Russia. Trump has been skeptical about a plan that would enable the U.S. to sell Tomahawk missiles to NATO countries, who would then transfer them to Ukraine. The president has expressed his desire not to escalate the conflict with Russia.
Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the possibility of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine during a meeting at the White House on October 22. Rutte indicated on Friday that the matter is under review, with the final decision depending on the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski has requested these missiles, but the Kremlin has warned against any Tomahawk supplies to Ukraine.
Russian Regions Form First Reservist Units to Defend Infrastructures
The Russian regions of Tatarstan, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, and Tambov have started creating the first contract reservist units to ensure the defense of critical infrastructure in Russia, although the measure has not yet been approved by the country's president, Vladimir Putin.
Both chambers of the Russian Federal Assembly have already approved the corresponding bill, which would come into effect after Putin's signature, and Tatarstan has announced that it has recruited the first reservists, who have already passed the medical check-up and are preparing for two weeks of intensive military training, as reported by the Russian portal Biznez-Online.
According to the outlet, Tatarstan offers reservists a salary of 78,000 rubles ($763) plus a bonus from the Russian Ministry of Defense ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 rubles ($370-493), in addition to ensuring that the recruits will not participate in the war in Ukraine and will only be tasked with protecting local facilities.
Russia Claims Advancements in Pokrovsk and Attacks Ukrainian Military-Industrial Targets
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Monday that its forces have made progress in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk and conducted a series of massive attacks on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities overnight, as reported by Reuters.
According to the official statement, Russian troops are destroying what Moscow described as "encircled Ukrainian formations" near the railway station and industrial area of Pokrovsk. Additionally, they claimed to have entered the Prigorodny area within the city, where they have consolidated their positions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense detailed that the overnight bombings targeted a Ukrainian military airfield, a weapons repair base, various military production facilities, as well as gas infrastructure supporting these operations.
Ukraine Receives More Patriot Air Defense Systems to Counter Russian Attacks
Ukraine has received new Patriot air defense systems manufactured in the United States to help counter the ongoing Russian attacks, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenski. This upgrade comes as a new nighttime drone attack by Russia resulted in one fatality and five injuries, including two children, in a strike on residential areas, as reported by AP.
Russia's relentless offensive against urban areas north and west of the front line, which began after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, has claimed thousands of civilian lives. In addition to housing destruction, Russia has systematically targeted the country's energy infrastructure, aiming to deprive civilians of heating and clean water in winter, as well as disrupt the industrial production of missiles and drones that Ukraine has been developing in recent years.
Ukrainian Army Claims Successful Strike on Russian Oil Refinery in Saratov Region
The Ukrainian army reported on Thursday that its forces successfully attacked an oil refinery located in the Saratov region, southern Russia, dealing a new blow to Russia's strategic infrastructure. According to a statement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the attack was carried out with long-range missiles, although the extent of the damage caused was not specified, as reported by Reuters.
The Saratov refinery, situated in a key area for supplying fuel to Russian forces, is crucial for the country's internal energy industry. Such facilities have been recurrent targets of Ukrainian attacks as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies and Kiev authorities continue to seek ways to weaken Russia's logistical capabilities.
Zelenski Announces Air Defense Meetings with Allies This Week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski announced in his Sunday national address that he will hold "meetings" this week with allies to continue strengthening Ukraine's air defenses.
"There will be meetings," said Zelenski, adding that his administration has presented allies with "all calculations and possible options" for Ukraine to address its most urgent air defense needs.
Zelenski made this announcement after confirming the completion of the transfer of additional Patriot systems provided to Kiev by Germany. According to the X German Aid to Ukraine account, which tracks Berlin's arms deliveries to Ukraine, Kiev has received the two Patriot systems promised in August in this shipment. Denmark, Lithuania, and Norway have contributed funds to facilitate the delivery.
Russia Shoots Down 64 Ukrainian Drones Over Five Russian Regions
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 64 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over five Russian regions today, in a relatively calm day following the repulsion of more than double the previous day, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to Efe.
"During the past night, from 23:00 Moscow time (20:00 GMT) to 07:00 Moscow time (04:00 GMT), the anti-aircraft defenses intercepted and destroyed 56 Ukrainian drones," stated the Russian military command on Telegram.
According to Defense, the majority of the attacks targeted the Rostov and Saratov regions, with 29 drones shot down in each.
The rest were downed over the Volgograd region (4), Belgorod (1), and Stavropol (1).
Flights Suspended at Bremen Airport Due to Drone Activity
Air traffic was temporarily suspended on Sunday night at Bremen Airport due to the presence of an unidentified drone flying over the area, as reported by the German police to AFP. The drone was spotted "in the vicinity of the airport around 19:30" (18:30 GMT), according to a police spokesperson.
Germany, one of Ukraine's main supporters in the war against Russia, has suggested that Moscow could be behind some of the drones, a claim that Russia has denied.