October 15, 2023
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 00:14 Zelenskyj: The fight against terrorism must not falter anywhere +++
In view of increasing international crises, Ukrainian President Zelensky is insisting on further support for the attacked Ukraine. “As terror spreads worldwide, it is important that the world sends a clear signal that the fight against terrorism will not falter anywhere,” Zelenskyj said in his evening video address. Following the attacks on Israel by the Islamist Hamas, concerns have recently grown in Kiev that international support for the Ukrainian army could weaken.
+++ 22:46 Zelenskyj: Preparing for defense in winter +++
Ukraine has informed “all helping leaders” of the partner countries about what Russia is planning to do in Ukraine, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This week was “Air Defense Equipment Week for Ukraine” and one in which the country prepares for the coming winter. “In addition to additional missiles for air defense, we will also receive new launchers. We are working on securing various air defense systems. We will receive parts for systems that are already in use in Ukraine.” There would also be artillery, ammunition, drones and armored vehicles. Observers assume that Russia will again attack critical civilian energy infrastructure with missiles next winter.
+++ 22:10 Russians and Palestinian fighters use Russian crypto exchanges to evade sanctions +++
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has received part of a $93 million payment through sanctioned Russian crypto exchange firm Garantex, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Hamas is likely using a similar system to conceal its transactions. Garantex customers in Russia can deposit cash in rubles and then receive the equivalent in cryptocurrency, which can then be withdrawn abroad in a foreign currency, effectively concealing the origin of the funds. There is “little traceable record of transactions,” which makes it difficult to take action against such exchanges. The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 80 percent of Russia’s banking sector. Crypto has become one of the main ways Russians can move money in foreign banks.
+++ 21:28 Zelenskyj: Mines and unexploded bombs on a third of the national territory +++
At a demining conference in Croatia, several participating countries pledged to support Ukraine in its efforts. In total, Kiev has promised aid worth around half a billion euros. “Almost a third of our territory is at risk from mines and unexploded shells,” says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “It is clear that global support is needed to rid our country of Russian mines.”
+++ 20:54 London: Russia fears for its Black Sea fleet +++
Ukraine has long held the initiative in the northwestern Black Sea, forcing the Russian navy to defend itself against unmanned ships and drones as well as missile attacks, the British Ministry of Defense said. That is why the warships were moved further east away from Crimea. From there, the fleet could continue to fire cruise missiles against Ukraine. However, open attacks on merchant shipping are less likely. “The risk of further military losses and political consequences is most likely too high,” says London.
+++ 20:31 Russia: Ukrainian attack drone shot down over Belgorod +++
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the country’s air defense shot down a Ukrainian drone over the territory of Belgorod. Kiev tried to attack targets in Russia. The ministry calls it an “attempted terrorist attack.” In Russia’s Obalst Kursk, several villages in the Glushkovsky district were attacked, according to the local governor. The populated areas were therefore without power in the afternoon.
You can read more about the events of the previous day here.