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Moscow is executing a psychological influence campaign of threats to prevent the US from providing long-range missiles to Kyiv, according to military analysts. A senior Russian lawmaker declared: “We know these projectiles thoroughly, their operational characteristics, methods to intercept them, we worked on them in Middle East operations, so this is not innovative. Those delivering them and those who use them will have problems … We will develop strategies to hurt those who oppose our interests.”

Kyiv's Counteroffensive Situation

Ukrainian forces were causing significant casualties in a counteroffensive in eastern Donetsk region, the primary conflict zone, the Ukrainian president said on Wednesday. The Ukrainian president's account, following a report by his chief of defense, contrasted with Moscow's address to high-ranking military personnel a prior day in which he said the invading army held the strategic initiative in every combat zone.

According to analysis dated the beginning of October, military analysts said Russia was incurring heavy casualty rates, particularly from Ukrainian drone attacks, in return for small operational progress. Kyiv's troops, Zelenskyy said, were “maintaining our defense along all other directions”, highlighting especially Kupiansk, a largely destroyed urban area in Ukraine's northeast under sustained offensive operations for months.

Local Situations

The regional governor in the Kherson area of the Kherson oblast said offensive operations on Wednesday killed three people in and around the city of the same name. The governor of the Sumy oblast, on the northern frontier with Russia, said three fatalities occurred in Russian drone attacks in various areas. Ukraine's air force said it successfully countered 154 out of 183 Russian strike and decoy drones during the night.

A Russian attack significantly harmed one of Ukraine's thermal power plants, government sources stated on midweek. Facility personnel were injured in the attack, according to energy company officials. Sources gave limited details, including the site's whereabouts, but national sources said Russia struck power facilities in northern Ukraine, the Kherson area and eastern Ukraine.

Civilian Consequences

In the north-eastern Sumy town of northeastern Ukraine, significantly damaged by the Russian onslaught against the power supply, officials have created emergency spaces where residents may find shelter, receive warm beverages, charge their phones and receive psychological support, according to administrative leader.

Diplomatic Reactions

Ukraine's ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on midweek urged NATO members to step up purchases of American military equipment for Kyiv. “The situation isn't that we favor American weapons over French or German or alternative military systems – the reality is that we are requesting the America for weapons which European countries can't provide,” said the ambassador.

Federal law enforcement will shortly receive authorization to neutralize drones, security chief declared on Wednesday, following multiple UAV observations suspected as Russian efforts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the minister said security forces could legally “to employ state-of-the-art technical action against UAV risks, such as electromagnetic pulses, signal disruption, GPS interference, but also with direct interception”.

European Protection Issues

EU chief declared on Wednesday that the European Union should ramp up its protective capabilities to respond to Moscow's multifaceted attacks after air incursions, digital assaults and damage to undersea cables. “This is not random harassment. It is a organized and growing strategy,” the official said in a speech to the European parliament. “A couple of events are isolated incidents, but three, five, ten – this is a deliberate and targeted ambiguous warfare operation against Europe, and the EU needs to react.”

Displacement Status

The Swiss authorities has extended its protection status offered to Ukrainian refugees to at least March 2027. Temporary protection, which permits refugees to travel abroad as well as seek employment there, is generally limited to one year but can be renewed. “The ruling reflects the continued unstable environment and persistent Russian attacks across large parts of Ukraine,” said a federal announcement. “Despite global diplomatic initiatives, a enduring resolution that would permit safe return is not projected in the foreseeable future.”