Ukrainian intelligence has announced the destruction of a Russian Oreshnik ballistic missile launch system at the Kapustin Yar range, a joint operation by the HUR, SBU, and SZRU. According to Ukrainian estimates, Russia has fired one Oreshnik missile and destroyed another, with at least one remaining in their arsenal. The Oreshnik, believed to be a modified Soviet-era missile, has a range of approximately 5,500 kilometers and potentially poses a threat to parts of Europe if deployed to Belarus. Simultaneously, Russian officials are emphasizing the development and testing of other advanced weapons, like the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which President Putin has ordered to be prepared for deployment.
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On Friday, October 31st, multiple Russian cities experienced explosions as drones targeted critical energy infrastructure. Explosions were reported in Vladimir, where an electrical substation caught fire, and in Yaroslavl near an oil refinery, with both incidents confirmed by regional authorities. A more significant strike occurred in Orel, where a thermal power plant was damaged, leading to disruptions in heat and hot water services for parts of the city.
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President Droupadi Murmu’s recent Rafale fighter jet sortie at the Ambala Air Force base included a photograph with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s first and only woman Rafale pilot. This was done to debunk false claims made by Pakistan that Singh was captured after her Rafale was supposedly shot down during Operation Sindoor, where she flew the aircraft. Singh, who earned her Qualified Flying Instructor badge, joined the Air Force in 2017 and previously flew the MiG-21 Bison. President Murmu’s flight makes her the first Indian President to have flown in two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, making the experience ‘unforgettable’.
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Two North Korean prisoners of war, captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, have pleaded with a documentary producer to be brought to South Korea. The captives, in their 20s, expressed this desire during a meeting at a Ukrainian prisoner camp, a shift from an earlier meeting where only one expressed a wish to defect. The soldiers requested various items and conveyed psychological instability and past attempts of self-harm, according to officials. South Korea has notified Ukraine of its intention to receive them if their wishes are confirmed, as North Korea has deployed significant troops to fight alongside Russia.
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The last functioning hospital in El-Fasher, Sudan, was the site of a massacre following the city’s capture by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports indicate that over 460 patients and their companions were killed, and six health workers were abducted on October 28th. Videos allegedly filmed by RSF fighters show ransacked wards and bodies, with the leader of the RSF vowing to investigate the allegations. The UN and Doctors Without Borders are reporting extremely alarming levels of malnutrition among those fleeing the city, with the crisis raising concerns of ethnically targeted violence and a potential famine-like situation, evoking the horrors of the Darfur genocide.
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Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica has become the world’s tallest church after a section of its central tower was recently erected, reaching a height of 162.91 meters. This surpasses the spire of Ulm Minster in Germany, though the Sagrada Familia has not formally claimed the title. The central Tower of Jesus Christ will ultimately reach 172 meters upon completion. Construction began in 1882, and the basilica’s completion is expected in approximately a decade, funded by tourist revenue.
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Javad Naeimi, a nuclear engineer at the Natanz facility, was executed in Qom last week after being convicted of spying for Israel. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported the execution, which occurred in secret after Naeimi’s arrest in February 2024 and an opaque judicial process, including alleged torture and coerced confessions. This execution, and the execution of at least eleven others this year on espionage charges, is part of an intensified crackdown following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Human rights groups condemn these executions, citing a lack of due process, while Iran defends its actions as necessary to counter alleged intelligence infiltration.
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A British citizen, allegedly working as an FSB agent, has been detained in Kyiv by Ukraine’s Security Service. The individual arrived in early 2024 to train Ukrainian troops but later collaborated with Russian intelligence, offering sensitive information and preparing for terrorist attacks. The SBU claims the suspect was instructed to build an explosive device and was found in possession of a pistol before being apprehended. Now in custody, the British citizen faces up to 12 years in prison, with the investigation ongoing to determine further charges.
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In a recent announcement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) revealed the seizure of thousands of liters of chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs. On May 13th and 24th, officers discovered 4,300 liters of these substances within two marine containers originating from China, destined for Calgary. The seizure included 3,600 liters of 1,4 Butanediol, 500 liters of propionyl chloride, and 200 liters of Gamma butyrolactone. Furthermore, the CBSA reported making a total of 12,193 seizures overall in the three months ending in August, encompassing a wide range of contraband.
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According to a recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Russian drone strikes along the Dnieper River have been classified as war crimes. The report, based on hundreds of videos and interviews, details attacks targeting Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure with a variety of drones. These attacks are alleged to be deliberately coordinated to instill terror, with evidence including the forced deportation of civilians. While Russia denies these accusations, the U.N. commission was unable to investigate Russian claims of Ukrainian attacks due to lack of access and safety concerns.
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John Q. Hosedrinker