Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced an escalation in attacks on Russian oil refineries, emphasizing that civilians will not be targeted. This decision follows Russia’s new airstrike strategy aimed at pressuring residents to evacuate Kyiv and other urban areas. Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine’s intelligence has uncovered documents indicating that President Vladimir Putin has expanded the scope of military operations to include a wider array of civilian infrastructures as winter approaches. “The documents indicate a directive to strike infrastructure, logistics, and key locations within cities and towns, including roads, schools, and hospitals,” he stated. “The intent is to compel people to leave the capital and various cities, which is the operation’s primary goal.”
In response to the ongoing assaults on Ukraine’s energy resources, Zelenskyy underscored the necessity of retaliating against Russian energy assets, particularly oil refineries, which fund the war effort. “We must respond in every possible way. Their strikes on our energy necessitate a response targeting their energy sources. However, we will not engage in attacks on civilian infrastructure,” he affirmed. Recent Russian strikes in Ukraine resulted in at least six fatalities and damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge, affecting traffic for the third consecutive day as part of Russia’s strategy to disrupt life in the Ukrainian capital. Previously, Russian forces have targeted residential buildings, supermarket warehouses, gas stations, data centers, and other non-military sites.
As part of a continuing counteroffensive operation dubbed Vivaldi, Ukraine has reclaimed approximately 140 square kilometers (54 square miles) in the eastern Donbas region, marking a setback for Putin, who aims for total Russian control over the area before any peace negotiations commence. Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to address challenges posed by limited ammunition supplies for its fighter jets, including F-16s and MiGs, which are responsible for downing around 60% of Russian drone incursions. He noted that Ukraine is enhancing its electronic warfare capabilities and is expecting a shipment of cost-effective air defense missiles later in October, designed to target new jet-powered Shahed drones. Additionally, Ukraine has started deploying its domestically produced ballistic missile, the FP-7, which has a range of about 250 kilometers (155 miles), with plans for a longer-range variant, the FP-9, to be ready by autumn.
In Latvia, exit polls from the recent parliamentary elections indicated strong support for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ centrist United List party, which is pro-European and supportive of Ukraine, suggesting continuity in the country’s foreign policy direction. However, populist parties also performed well in a campaign influenced by concerns over Russia and domestic cost-of-living issues. With 72% of votes tallied, the United List garnered 36.5%, followed by the populist Latvia First party at 13.0%. Kulbergs stated that his party would not engage with any pro-Russian factions, asserting, “We firmly believe that any economic relations with Russia weaken us, as Russia would take advantage of such ties.”
Baltic nations have been cautioning about Russia’s ongoing hybrid attacks, including sabotage and cyber operations, aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and instilling fear across Europe. Nonetheless, some Western officials are skeptical about Russia’s capability to launch a direct offensive against NATO, to which Latvia belongs. Throughout his campaign, Kulbergs pledged to enhance Latvia’s anti-drone defenses and maintain defense spending at 5% of the nation’s GDP, one of the highest rates within NATO. His opponents, aligned with pro-Kremlin sentiments, argued for a reduction in aid to Ukraine, urging a greater focus on local economic issues, particularly affecting the Russian-speaking population in Latvia.
