Ukrainian forces from the Lasar’s Group successfully eliminated a Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS in Kherson Oblast, striking from a distance of approximately 50 kilometers. The Defence Forces of Ukraine’s South released video evidence showcasing the successful hit and ammunition detonation. This precise operation was conducted under the purview of the Pivden (South) Operational Strategic Group.
According to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, Russian air defenses mistakenly downed one of their own warplanes while attempting to intercept Ukrainian drones over Crimea on October 17. The incident occurred overnight during active efforts to repel Ukrainian attacks. Following these strikes, a significant fire erupted at a local oil depot in the region. Monitoring channels later identified the downed aircraft as likely being a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet, adding to the list of recent Russian air defense mishaps.
Ukrainian troops have achieved a significant victory, crushing an elite Russian Spetsnaz unit known as “Senezh.” This unit, recognized for its professionalism and involvement in operations in Syria, suffered a devastating blow with its commander killed and six of its members eliminated. It’s a stark reminder of the intense and brutal fighting that continues to define the conflict in Ukraine.
Senezh is one of those units that, as an enemy, you have to acknowledge the caliber of. Their past operations, including documented activities behind Ukrainian lines, were described as “gruesome and professional”. The fact that such a highly trained and experienced force has been decimated is a testament to the resilience and skill of the Ukrainian military.… Continue reading
Frontline report: “Ukraine is growing stronger” – Kremlin propagandist’s stunning admission reveals shift in war
The reality is stark: after three and a half years of conflict, the Kremlin’s narrative is shifting. The admission, however veiled, that Ukraine is “growing stronger” speaks volumes. We’ve heard Russia’s official line for a long time, the promise of swift victory, the denigration of Ukraine’s military capabilities, and the claim that the country was demilitarized. Now, though, there’s a crack in that facade. The statement, however it’s phrased, acknowledges the undeniable truth: Ukraine is not only holding its own but also evolving, adapting, and becoming a more formidable fighting force.… Continue reading
Following a phone call, President Trump announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, with high-level advisors meeting the following week led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump and Putin also discussed future trade, while a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky was scheduled to follow. This comes after growing frustration over the war’s slow progress and a recent massive Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which Ukraine’s ambassador says demonstrates Russia’s lack of interest in ending the war.
A former US embassy security guard has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison by a Norwegian court for spying on behalf of Russia and Iran. The 28-year-old provided floor plans, personal details of embassy staff and their families, and information about embassy activities in exchange for payments from Russian and Iranian intelligence. The court determined the information could be used for attacks, and the accused admitted to the actions, claiming they were a protest. Despite his defense’s argument, the court ruled that the information shared was harmful to US security interests.
On October 16, just before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hesitancy about providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing the U.S.’s own need for the weapons. This reluctance followed a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin voiced strong opposition to the potential transfer. Despite this, Trump’s remarks on weapons deliveries contrast with his previous statements and recent criticisms of Russia, leaving the decision regarding the missiles’ supply uncertain.
In a display of defiance, hundreds of Russians gathered in St. Petersburg on Tuesday to sing a song critical of President Putin and the war in Ukraine. The song, “Cooperative Swan Lake,” originally written by exiled pro-Ukrainian rapper Noize MC (Ivan Alexeyev), had been outlawed in May 2025 after a St. Petersburg court deemed it “extremist.” Viral social media videos captured the crowd and street musicians performing the song, which calls for Putin’s removal.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has updated its War&Sanctions portal, releasing dossiers on 139 vessels and 142 captains engaged in illicit activities. These activities include the illegal transport of sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil, and the smuggling of stolen Ukrainian grain. The intelligence agency highlights that these actions provide crucial revenue to Russia, which funds the ongoing war. The update reveals new tankers, vessels linked to Iranian oil magnates, and ships involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, further exposing the scale of sanctions evasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a recent phone call with former US President Donald Trump, requested he broker peace in Ukraine, citing Trump’s recent ceasefire efforts in the Middle East as a precedent. The call occurred shortly after a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, which caused widespread power outages. Zelensky urged Trump to pressure Russia into negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, hoping that success in one region could lead to success in another. While Trump and Putin previously met in August, they failed to establish a peace deal.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood