Ukraine's military has reported advances and strong defense along the front lines of its war with Russia, with Moscow acknowledging tension in the southern sector but dismissing Kyiv's campaign as unsuccessful.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expresses gratitude to US embassy staff in Kyiv during his visit to Ukraine, acknowledging their courage and the challenges they face in the midst of the war; Ukraine's new defense minister, Rustem Umerov, vows to take back all of Ukrainian land from Russian control and bring home all those in captivity; at least 16 people are killed in a Russian missile attack on a market in the Donetsk region of Ukraine; Blinken arrives in Kyiv for his third visit, discussing the progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive; the UK plans to classify the Russian mercenary group Wagner as a terrorist organization; parts of a Russian drone fall on Romanian territory after targeting a Ukrainian port on the Danube River; the Kremlin accuses the US of intending to keep the war in Ukraine going "until the last Ukrainian"; Rustem Umerov becomes Ukraine's new defense minister; Ukrainian officials believe the second line of Russian defenses in the south may be weaker than the first; Blinken praises the "good progress" of Ukraine's counteroffensive during his visit to Kyiv.
A Russian missile struck an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine, killing 17 people and injuring dozens, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv to announce over $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes the importance of continued support from the West in the face of slow progress in the counter-offensive against Russia, expressing that Ukraine must be prepared for a long war while urging Western leaders to maintain their commitment to funding and supplying arms, or risk aiding Russia's victory.
The Biden administration is considering whether to send long-range missiles to Ukraine, but a final decision has not yet been made, and it is unlikely to happen before the U.N. General Assembly; if approved, the missiles would provide Ukraine with the ability to strike deep into Russian territory.
America's top military commander warns that Ukraine has limited time to pursue a stagnating military offensive, as tensions with Western allies rise, potentially putting Ukraine and the US at odds.
Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that he is preparing for a prolonged war in Ukraine, stating that Kyiv could potentially use any ceasefire to rearm and that the US will continue to view Russia as an enemy regardless of the outcome of the 2024 US election.
Ukraine's military offensive against Russian forces in the south and east has made limited progress, prompting discussions about whether the US and other Western countries should provide more powerful weapons or seek a negotiated settlement.
The United States and Germany are discussing the transfer of ATACMS and Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing that it is up to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to decide how they will use the weapons.
Russia is predicted to amass a significant stockpile of air-launched cruise missiles to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure during the upcoming winter, according to the UK Defense Ministry.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on the US government's intention to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, stating that it will not change the essence of the ongoing conflict, as he believes Ukraine is being prepared to fight for the strategic defeat of Russia.
Ukraine may receive long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) from the US, which would enhance their ability to strike deep behind enemy lines, but it would not be enough to radically change the course of the war without additional military capabilities.
Ukrainian President Zelensky warns that Russia is relying on eroding U.S. support to win its war against Ukraine, as funding for Ukraine becomes a contentious issue among House Republicans.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that if British troops were deployed to Ukraine for training purposes, they would become legitimate targets for Russian military strikes, following discussions of the UK moving military hardware production and training closer to Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine is aware of Russia's intentions and is prepared to respond forcefully, as Ukraine prepares for the winter and receives support from international partners for enhanced air defense capabilities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the United States for providing Ukraine with ATACMS long-range missiles, stating that it was a "great mistake" and poses an additional threat to Russian forces, although he believes his military can repel these strikes.
