"Russia has accused Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken of irresponsible rhetoric after he suggested that NATO could “wipe Moscow off the map.”In an interview with De Morgen newspaper published on Monday, Francken brushed off concerns that the currently shelved delivery of US-made Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could trigger an all-out war between Russia and NATO.
He claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not use nuclear weapons because the US-led bloc “will wipe Moscow off the map,” and that a conventional attack on Brussels would also result in Moscow getting “flattened.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko told RBK on Wednesday that Francken’s words were in line with “the atmosphere of military psychosis” prevalent in Western Europe." RT
"At 11:00 EDT (15:00 UTC) the center of Hurricane Melissa was located about 245 km (150 miles) south of the central Bahamas. The system is moving northeast at 22 km/h (14 mph) with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) and higher gusts. The minimum central pressure is 974 mb.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a storm surge of 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 feet) above normally dry ground is possible across the southeastern and central Bahamas today. The surge will combine with large waves to produce life-threatening coastal inundation and hazardous surf conditions. Minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands and along the north coast of eastern Cuba and Haiti." W
"172 clashes with Russian troops over the past day.
Airstrikes targeted Pokrovske (Dnipropetrovsk region), Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Kamianske (Zaporizhzhia region), and Olhivka (Kherson region).
Ukrainian aviation, missile forces, and artillery struck four clusters of enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment, as well as two artillery positions.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, five clashes were recorded, with the enemy carrying out nine airstrikes, dropping 24 guided bombs, and launching 194 artillery strikes, including six with MLRS.In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian forces repelled five attacks near Vovchansk and Kamianka.
In the Kupiansk sector, 15 enemy attacks were recorded, repelled by Ukrainian troops near Pishchane, Hlushkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Bohuslavka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attempted 17 attacks, aiming to break through Ukrainian defenses near Drobysheve, Torske, Zarichne, Korovii Yar, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Stavky, and Novoselivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, seven enemy attacks were successfully stopped near Yampil, Serebrianka, Vyimka, and Pereizne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two Russian advance attempts near Stupochky and toward Viroliubivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, 24 attacks were recorded in Predtechyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Berestka, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and toward Kostiantynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 55 enemy assaults near Shakhove, Dorozhne, Nikanorivka, Rodynske, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Molodetske, Udachne, Novopavlivka, Novoekonomichne, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Balahan, Lysivka, Pokrovsk, Filiia, Kucheriv Yar, and Dachne.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, 21 attacks occurred near Myrne, Sichneve, Novoselivka, Ternove, Sosnivka, Stepove, Verbove, Rybne, Pryvillia, Novohryhorivka, Vyshneve, and Pryvilne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian troops repelled one attack near Zelenyi Hai.
In the Orikhiv sector, five clashes were reported as the enemy attempted to advance near Stepove, Novodanylivka, Kamianske, and Stepnohirsk.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian forces repelled four attacks near the Antonivskyi Bridge." Ukrin
"Drones attacked a petrochemical plant and two refineries in Russia overnight, and 13 airports — including three serving Moscow — were temporarily closed.
In Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Krai, drones struck the Stavrolen petrochemical plant (part of the Lukoil group) overnight, Telegram channel Astra reported.
Explosions were heard in the town and a fire broke out. Astra geolocated footage posted online showing a blaze filmed in the area of Pivnichnyi microdistrict. According to the channel, the strike hit Stavrolen — one of Russia’s main producers of polyethylene and polypropylene." KI
"An Israeli state-owned defense company has set up a subsidiary to operate in the United Arab Emirates, in the first such move since Israel and Abu Dhabi normalized relations in 2020.
Controp Precision Technologies will establish and register the subsidiary in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, or ADGM, an economic zone in the Emirati capital." ZH
"Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has stormed the North Darfur city of el-Fasher, prompting fears of widespread killings and abuses, hours after ceasefire negotiations in Washington collapsed. There were hopes late last week that the US-sponsored talks could achieve some sort of breakthrough.
However, sources told Middle East Eye that the UAE, which is the RSF’s most significant patron, refused to address the situation in el-Fasher, which has been under siege for over 500 days. RSF fighters entered the city, where around 260,000 people have been trapped, seizing an army base and causing the defenses to collapse." ZeroHedge
"An unidentified drone was shot down earlier this month near a base housing US troops in southeastern Estonia, close to the Russian border, the Baltic nation’s military has claimed.
The incident occurred at Camp Reedo, which hosts the 5th Squadron of the US Army’s 7th Cavalry Regiment. The unit arrived in February to replace troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment.
“Allies detected drones flying in the immediate vicinity of the 2nd Infantry Brigade campus at 4:30 p.m. on October 17, one of which was brought down using an anti-drone rifle,” Estonian Defense Forces spokeswoman Liis Vaksmann told Postimees on Tuesday. She added that the downed UAV has not been recovered." RT
"At the time of landfall, Melisa had maximum sustained winds of 295 km/h (185 mph), and a
minimum central pressure of 892 hPa.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) started issuing hourly advisories as the storm moved onshore, warning people that this was the “last chance to protect your life.”
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” NHC forecasters said. “Take cover now! Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury and loss of life. Residents in Jamaica who experience the eye should not leave their shelter, as winds will rapidly increase within the backside of the eyewall of Melissa.” W
"148 combat clashes between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops.
Enemy airstrikes were recorded in areas including Dnipro and Novooleksandrivka in Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as Rivnopillia, Zaliznychne, Uspenivka, Bilohiria, and Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukrainian aviation, missile forces, and artillery targeted six clusters of Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment, as well as three enemy artillery systems.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, two clashes occurred; Russians used 25 guided bombs and conducted 174 artillery strikes, including 10 from MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy carried out five attacks on Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk and Kamianka.In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight enemy assaults near Pishchane and towards Shyikivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces launched 13 attacks trying to penetrate Ukrainian defenses near Zelenyi Hai, Derylove, Novoselivka, and toward Korovii Yar, Drobysheve, Oleksandrivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 10 attacks near Yampil, Dronivka, Serebrianka, and Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, two clashes occurred, with Russian troops attempting advances toward Viroliubivka and Fedorivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian forces conducted 18 attacks in areas around Kostiantynivka, Shcherbynivka, Rusyn Yar, Yablunivka, Stepanivka, Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 45 enemy attacks near the settlements of Shakhove, Novo-Shakhove, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Novoekonomichne, Lysivka, Novopavlivka, Pokrovsk, Myroliubivka, Myrnohrad, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne, Filia.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, there were 23 clashes near Zelenyi Hai, Sosnivka, Verbove, Uspenivka, Novohryhorivka, Rybne, Pavlivka, Vyshneve.
In the Huliaipole sector, seven enemy advances were repelled near Novomykolaivka and Luhivske.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled seven attacks near Shcherbaky and Stepove, as well as toward Novoandriivka and Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces carried out three assaults on Ukrainian positions toward Antonivskyi Bridge, all unsuccessful." Ukrin
"218 combat clashes between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops.
Enemy airstrikes targeted the areas of Raihorodok and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region, and Nove Zaporizhzhia and Ternuvate in Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukrainian missile and artillery forces struck eight clusters of Russian personnel, one depot of weapons and military equipment, and a command post over the past day.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian defenders repelled ten enemy attacks. Russian forces used 24 guided aerial bombs and carried out 149 shelling attacks along this section of the front, including three with MLRS.In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched 11 assaults on Ukrainian positions in the areas of Vovchansk, Boholivka, and Odradne, as well as toward Bochkovе.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian invaders carried out nine attacks yesterday. Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled their offensive actions in the areas of Stepova Novoselivka, Zelenyi Hai, and toward Pishchane.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attacked ten times, attempting to break through the defense in the areas of Serednie, Myrne, Shandryholove, Nadiia, and Zarichne.
In the Sloviansk sector, the Russians attempted 11 assaults near Yampil, Serebrianka, Vyimka, Fedorivka, and toward Zvanivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces attacked four times near Chasiv Yar, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, and Zaliznianske.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian forces launched 32 attacks near Oleksandro-Kalynove, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, and Rusyn Yar.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 79 enemy assaults near Nykanorivka, Pankivka, Sukhetske, Rodynske, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Molodetske, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoukrainka, and Horikhove.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, Russian forces carried out 28 attacks near Zelenyi Hai, Filiia, Piddubne, Oleksandrohrad, Novoselivka, Verbove, Oleksiivka, Novohryhorivka, and Uspenivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attempts by the Russians to advance near Malynivka and toward Novomykolaivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled five enemy attacks near Stepove, Kamianske, toward Novodanylivka and Novoandriivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces launched four assault attempts, all unsuccessful." Ukrin
"Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday touted a successful test of his military's new "invincible" nuclear-capable cruise missile, which means a next step of actually deploying the doomsday weapon as part of Russia's strategic arsenal.
Putin oversaw the test in a video released by the Kremlin while dressed in military fatigues, which included him ordering his top general to start preparing the Burevestnik missile for integration into active forces. "We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces," Putin sated.
President Donald Trump has reacted to the announcement in an early Monday statement, saying it is "not appropriate" amid ratcheting tensions between Moscow and Washington and as peace talks have stalled.Trump described that Putin should focus on ending the war with Ukraine rather than testing missiles. He was pressed on the issue by reporters on Air Force One regarding the nuclear test.
"They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores," Trump posited in response. "We don’t need to go 8,000 miles. Putin ought to end the war — a war that should’ve taken one week is now in its fourth year," he continued. "That's what he ought to do instead of testing missiles."
But he also noted of the US military, "We test missiles all the time." He said this to perhaps downplay the seriousness of the event in the exchange with reporters:
"They are not playing games with us. We are not playing games with them either. We test missiles all the time," he said.
While Russia first disclosed the test on Sunday, it actually took place on October 21 according to the Kremlin announcement." ZeroHedge
"Israel has been steadily ratcheting its aerial attacks in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah and terror targets. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) having confirmed an airstrike in the al-Biyad area of southern Lebanon, which killed two Hezbollah operatives.
One of the operatives has been named by the IDF and in regional media as Hussein Ibrahim Suleiman, a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. The IDF announced, "The terrorists were involved in advancing terror attacks toward the territory of the State of Israel and were eliminated while working to rebuild a terror infrastructure." ZH
"A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck near Sındırgı,
Balıkesir Province, western Turkey at 19:48 UTC (22:48 local time). The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 6 km (3.7 miles). The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses." W
"Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law formally withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement with the U.S.The 2000 agreement obligated both countries to dispose of 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium — enough for thousands of nuclear warheads — no longer required for defense purposes.
The Russian parliament passed the denunciation bill in early October, paving the way for Putin's formal withdrawal. The decision effectively ends one of the last remaining post-Cold War nuclear security agreements between Moscow and Washington.
This followed confirmation by Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov that Russia had successfully tested its nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed Burevestnik cruise missile on Oct. 26." KI
"Over the past day, Russian forces launched 396 attacks across 15 settlements in Zaporizhzhia
region, resulting in one death and three injuries in Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia, and Polohy districts.
According to Fedorov, Russian forces carried out four airstrikes on Ternuvate, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Novouspenivske, and Malynivka.
Additionally, 233 drones of various types (mostly FPV) attacked Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Preobrazhenka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Verkhnia Tersa.
Russian troops also fired three times with multiple launch rocket systems at Novomykolaivka, Novoandriivka, and Mala Tokmachka." Ukrin
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