Starlink an 'Essential Part' of Ukraine Infrastructure

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described Starlink on Wednesday as an "essential part of crucial infrastructure" in Ukraine and said the technology was helping officials fix energy and communication issues caused by Russia's recent military strikes.

Fedorov asked Musk in the early days of the war if his SpaceX company could provide internet access through Starlink in Ukraine, according to Reuters. At the time, Musk responded to Fedorov on Twitter by saying Starlink was accessible in Ukraine and that additional Starlink terminals were on the way.

Two days after Russia launched widespread military strikes that damaged civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, Fedorov said more than 100 cruise missiles had targeted energy and communication infrastructure.

"But with Starlink we quickly restored the connection in critical areas," Fedorov said. "Starlink continues to be an essential part of critical infrastructure."

France to Provide Air Defense Systems

France will soon begin sending Ukraine air defense systems to assist the country as its ongoing war with Russia continues, French President Emmanuel Macron told the France 2 television channel on Wednesday.

Macron posted a clip of his interview with the station on Twitter Wednesday. In the clip, he reiterated France's support for Ukraine. France doesn't want a world war, he tweeted, but France will help Ukraine defend its territory.

Macron's announcement follows widespread military strikes by Russia across Ukraine, which occurred earlier this week. At least 12 civilians were killed in the strikes, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and civilian infrastructure was damaged in several regions.

In the wake of Monday's strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on world leaders to provide air defense support. Zelensky said he spoke with Macron on Monday about "the strengthening of our air defense, the need for a tough European and international reaction, as well as increased pressure on the Russian Federation."

"France stands with Ukraine," Zelensky said in his Monday tweet.

Ukraine 'Grateful' for Vote to Condemn Annexation

Ukrainian government officials celebrated the United Nations General Assembly's Wednesday vote to condemn Russia's recent annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a message on Twitter saying he is "grateful" for the General Assembly's "historic" resolution. A spokesperson for Zelensky's office said the vote was "another loud global slap to Russia" and to the four nations that joined Russia in voting against the resolution.

Sergiy Kyslytsa, the representative of Ukraine to the UN, celebrated the resolution in a tweet that said "never before" has Ukraine "seen such a support of territorial integrity of Ukraine, & defense of Principles of Charter of UN."

Other representatives to the UN also celebrated the vote in posts on social media. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, also recognized the "monumental day" in an afternoon tweet.

The head of the EU delegation to the UN called the vote a "resounding message that speaks to the world."

UN Passes Resolution to Condemn Russia's Annexation

The United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt the resolution condemning Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

There were 143 Yes votes, five No votes and 35 Abstentions in an overwhelming approval of the "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine: Defending the Principles of the U.N. Charter."

Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua and Syria were the only member states to vote against the resolution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is "grateful" for the states who supported the "historic" resolution.

"The world had its say, [Russia's] attempt at annexation is worthless and will never be recognized by free nations," he said in a tweet.

Shelling at Market Leaves 7 Dead, 12 Injured

Seven civilians were killed and 12 others were injured during shelling at a market in Avdiivka on Wednesday, according to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.

Officials said they are launching an investigation into Russia's latest strike, which followed widespread military activity throughout Ukraine earlier this week.

The prosecutor general's office identified the weapons used Wednesday to strike Avdiivka, a city in Ukraine's Donetsk region, as Grad rocket salvo missile systems. Shells struck the market, killing six women and one man. Twelve other civilians in the area also suffered injuries of varying degrees as a result of the shelling.

In addition to the human casualties, Ukrainian officials said local civilian infrastructure, including the market itself and nearby buildings, were impacted.

Power Restored to Millions After Russian Strikes

The Ukrainian power grid is "operating as normal" after a series of Russian air strikes targeted key infrastructure sites and energy facilities across the country.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said electricity has been restored in almost 4,000 settlements and millions of customers across Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian power grid is operating as normal," Shmyhal said during a government session. "We did not request any emergency aid from our European neighbors. We don't experience a shortage of capacities. Right now, repair activities are underway."

Shmyhal said the state purchased the necessary backup equipment and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine is ready to provide mobile power plants for socially critical facilities in cities still experiencing blackouts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said restorations were still underway after the Russian attacks Tuesday.

"If it wasn't for today's strikes, we would have already restored the energy supply, water supply and communications that the terrorists damaged yesterday, he said in an address Tuesday night. "And today, Russia will achieve only one additional thing: it will delay our recovery a little."

Looking ahead, Shmyhal said winter will be challenging for Ukraine's power grid.

"Therefore, we once again urge everyone to prepare carefully for winter," he said. "It is desirable that every family has a stock of necessary basic things: warm clothes, candles, flashlights, batteries. It is vital to get prepared in case electricity or heat disappears as a result of massive missile attacks."

Czech Republic to Ban Visas for Some Russians

The Czech Republic is the latest European Union (EU) nation to announce it will not recognize some visas when the documents are used to enter the country by Russian citizens.

The visas in question apply to those issued to Russian citizens from any of the 26 member countries that are part of the Schengen zone, an area that traditionally allows people to move freely between member countries without passports or visas. The EU previously recommended tightening the rules surrounding Russian citizens' entry into any of these member nations in light of Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, and some other EU nations have already introduced full bans on Russian citizens who want to travel through the Schengen area.

"While Russian rockets fall on a children's playground and on people in Ukraine, up to 200 Russian Federation citizens travel to the Czech Republic via international airports every day," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a statement obtained by Reuters. His comments followed Russia's most recent military strikes on Ukraine, which damaged civilian infrastructure in several parts of the country.

The new ban will go into effect on October 25, according to the Associated Press.

Ukrainian Soldiers Complete Training in UK

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers completed military training in the United Kingdom and are now returning to Ukraine.

According to Visegrad 24, a European news agency, 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers finished their military training in the United Kingdom and are heading back to Ukraine to fight. This is the second group of servicemembers to finish training in the U.K.

"Since October 2022, servicemen of the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue training and training on actions in urban environments within the framework of the Canadian training operation UNIFIER in the UK," the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said on Telegram.

The troops were trained under the leadership of personnel of the 3rd Battalion of the Canadian Light Infantry princess Patricia of the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group of the 3rd Canadian Division of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said these soldiers learned how to "beat the enemy in urban environments."

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are grateful for the support and assistance of Canada and the United Kingdom," the ministry said.

US to Send More Air Defense Systems to Ukraine

U.S. defense officials said they will send Ukraine more air-defense systems to defend themselves against Russia's continued air strikes.

During a news conference, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the 50 countries present at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels "made progress" in their discussions about Ukraine's security needs.

He said the united resolved of these allies to support Ukraine was "heightened" by the "deliberate cruelty" of Russia's latest attack against Ukrainian cities.

The missile strikes on targets with no military purpose "again reveals the malice of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war of choice."

Joint Chiefs Chair General Mark Milley said Russia's continued escalation of tensions in Ukraine is only costing the Kremlin and the Russian people "more and more" as the war continues.

Milley also said Russia' deliberate, indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure "with the purpose of harming civilians" constitutes a war crime.

He said the U.S. and its allies will continue to protect the rules-based international order to ensure Ukraine remains a free, independent and sovereign nation.

Secretary Austin said new air-defense systems will be provided to Ukraine "as fast as we can physically get them there" to protect against Russian aerial attacks.

"We're also going to try to provide additional munitions to the existing systems that the Ukrainian forces are using," he said.

He said Ukraine most needs long-range fires, air defense systems and artillery.

Austin said earlier in the news conference that HIMARS or "High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems" have "changed the dynamics of the war" and helped Ukrainian forces with their counteroffensive.

Allies and partners will continue to "rush in" capabilities to help Ukraine in their current fight.

As the conflict continues to evolve, Austin said allies will continue their commitment to Ukraine's long-term defense capabilities. He said he is confident Ukraine will continue to be effective on the battlefield throughout the winter.

"We're going to do everything we can to make sure they have what's required to be effective," adding that Ukraine has been "very effective" in taking back territory from the Russians in the east and south.

General Milley said Ukraine is asking for integrated air missile defense system, which he said the U.S. can provide.

"It doesn't control all the airspace over Ukraine, but designed to control priority targets that Ukraine needs to protect," he said.

Milley said Ukrainian forces have used the systems they have effectively to deny Russia air superiority which has in turn denied Russian ground maneuvers.

Specifically, Ukraine is asking for Hawk or improved Hawkeye system.

"That's a medium-altitude, medium-range system," Milley said. "It's an older system, but it's quite effective."

He added that countries needs to "chip in" to help rebuild and sustain the integrated missile defense system.

Many countries have a wide variety of systems, Milley said, adding that they need to get the systems together, deploy them, get Ukrainian forces trained and linked with command and control.

Milley said this is complicated, but achievable and will take some time.

NATO to Hold Annual Nuclear Deterrence Exercise

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will move forward with its annual nuclear deterrence training next week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday.

The deterrence exercises, which NATO refers to as "Steadfast Noon," have been "long-planned," Stoltenberg said. The scheduled exercises predate current nuclear concerns surrounding Russia's war with Ukraine.

"This is routine training, which happens every year," Stoltenberg said, adding that the exercises are intended to "keep our deterrent safe, secure and effective."

The exercises will feature military aircraft that can hold nuclear weapons, but no live bombs will be used in the training, according to the Associated Press.

Though the scheduled exercises are unrelated to the war, the secretary general acknowledged the "veiled nuclear threats" Russian President Vladimir Putin has made recently, calling those threats "dangerous and irresponsible."

"Russia knows that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," Stoltenberg said. NATO is "closely monitoring" Russia for any changes in nuclear activity, which Stoltenberg said the organization had "not seen" as of Tuesday. "But we remain vigilant," he said.

When asked by a reporter if it was a "good idea" to hold the annual training while tensions with Russia remain high, Stoltenberg said NATO has been "open" about its plans and that it "would send a very wrong signal" if the scheduled exercise was suddenly canceled.

"If we now created the grounds for any misunderstanding, miscalculation in Moscow about our willingness to protect and defend all Allies, we would increase the risk of escalation and that's the last thing we will do," he said.

Russia Has 'Severe Supply Shortages,' UK Says

Russia has "severe supply shortages" and is "reliant" on "heavily sanctioned regimes" such as Iran for military equipment as its war with Ukraine continues, according to UK defense officials.

In a Wednesday intelligence update, the UK Ministry of Defense said Russia has used Iranian-made uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) "since at least August" and used some of these UAVs in Monday's military strike on Ukraine. The types of Iranian-manufactured equipment used in the strike were identified as Shahed-136 UAVs, the intelligence update said. UK officials described the Shahed-136 as "easy to target" drones because they fly slowly and at low altitudes.

"There is a realistic possibility that Russia has achieved some success by attacking with several UAVs at the same time," according to the latest British intelligence.

Ukrainian officials have for weeks alleged that Russia was using Iranian-manufactured military equipment, allegations that Russia repeatedly denied. The "evidence shows the opposite," the ministry said Wednesday.

Russian Military is Reportedly Recruiting Prisoners

The Russian Defense Ministry is reportedly recruiting Russian prisoners to fight in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian military official told NBC's Richard Engel that hundreds of Russian convicts were offered pardons for combat and have already showed up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Engel said the official told him some of the newer recruits "have gone AWOL with their weapons to carry out crimes back in Russia."

The official also told Engel that the newly mobilized Russians are "good for Ukraine."

"They are rounding up drunks, alcoholics, looters and anyone they can find and sending them without training or expertise," the official said. "They're easier to fight than an experienced army."

There have been other reports that the Russian Defense Ministry has been recruiting new fighters among inmates in a Russian penal colony since September.

Media project Vazhnye Istorii (iStories) reported that the Defense Ministry is recruiting prisoners for a new formation called "Storm," according to interviews with inmates' family members.

One father of an inmate said the ministry selected 60 people from the 100 who were interested in serving on the frontlines. Those 60 petitioned for clemency and signed non-disclosure agreements.

Putin Meets With Director of UN Nuclear Watchdog

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Tuesday to discuss ongoing nuclear concerns as Russia's war with Ukraine continues.

Grossi raised concerns over the last several weeks about the potential for a nuclear event at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Enerhodar, Ukraine, due to military activity in the area. Grossi has called for a safety zone to be implemented around the plant and traveled to Kyiv last week to discuss his proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Grossi told Zelensky he would return to Kyiv to meet with the Ukrainian leader again after his meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg.

The Kremlin published opening remarks from the meeting between Putin and Grossi on its website. Putin told Grossi he was "very happy to welcome" him to Russia and said Russia has "always supported" the agency.

"We have been active in the IAEA up to this day," Putin said. "We attach great importance to the mission of the Agency to which you too, as its head, devote your life, years of your life."

Putin said the current dialogue surrounding nuclear power contains "elements of excessive and dangerous politicisation of anything related to nuclear activity" and said Russia is "hopeful" they can "reduce the rhetoric on this matter and return to normal conditions in this area of our activity and cooperation, regardless of the turbulent and complex processes on the world stage."

Grossi also acknowledged Russia's history with the IAEA and said he has been "displaying efforts to try to avoid a nuclear accident that could be very detrimental in general terms and in particular in the region" during the war.

The IAEA later issued a press release about the meeting that said Grossi reiterated to Putin "the urgent need to establish a safety and security protection zone" around the ZNPP.

"Now more than ever, during these extremely difficult times, a protection zone must be established around the ZNPP," Grossi said in the release. "We can't afford to lose any more time."

Canada to Send Nearly $50M in Military Aid to Ukraine

Canada will send nearly $50 million in a new military aid package to Ukraine.

During the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, Belgium, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced another $47 million military aid package that will provide Ukraine with artillery, drones, satellite communications and winter clothing.

"Canada is resolutely committed to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion," Anand said in a statement. "We are helping our Ukrainian friends by donating equipment, training new recruits, and transporting aid so that they are well-equipped to defend their country."

Anand said she is in communication with her Ukrainian counterpart and added that Canada will "continue to stand with Ukraine, in the short and long term."

This new military aid package includes:

• $15.2 million in equipment from the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) inventory, including 155mm NATO-standard artillery rounds, fuses, and charge bags compatible with M777 howitzer artillery guns.
• Additional specialized drone cameras with a value of $15.3 million.
• Approximately $2 million to provide satellite communications services to Ukraine government and non-government partners.
• 400,000 pieces of winter clothing for a total of $15 million. This critical winter equipment includes jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and parkas sourced from Canadian companies through the Canadian Commercial Corporation.

Anand also said 40 Canadian military engineers will train Ukrainian forces in mining, de-mining and explosives along with their Polish counterparts.

Putin Suggests Resuming Gas Supply for Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Wednesday that Russia could start providing gas to Europe through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline after cutting off access to some Russian gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipe line earlier this year.

Putin spoke of the possibility of again providing Europe with Russian gas supplies through the Nord Stream pipelines during a plenary session meeting at the Russian Energy Week International Forum in Moscow.

Putin began his remarks by addressing what he described as recent "sabotage" of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which he said was a result of "international terrorism" and alleged the responsibility of that "sabotage" belongs to the U.S. Leaks were detected in both pipelines last month and another was detected this week, according to the Associated Press.

Russia has continued providing Europe with gas through Ukraine, but Putin suggested Wednesday that Russia could start using the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to deliver gas straight to Germany.

A spokesperson for the German government rejected Putin's suggestion, saying that Russia "is no longer a reliable energy supplier" and that there was "no reason to believe that that would change," according to the AP.

Biden Would Talk to Putin About Brittney Griner at G20

President Joe Biden said he does not plan to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Indonesia next month.

Biden said will only talk to Putin about the release of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner.

"Look, I have no intention of meeting with him," Biden told CNN's Jake Tapper. "But, for example, if he came to me at the G20 and said, 'I want to talk about the release of Griner,' I would meet with him."

Biden was also asked by a reporter Wednesday morning if he has seen "any movement on that front," referring to meeting with Putin to discuss Griner.

"Not with Putin," Biden answered.

During Tuesday night's CNN interview, Biden noted that he does not want to speak to Putin because he has "acted brutally" in Ukraine.

"I think he's committed war crimes. And so I don't, I don't see any rationale to meet with him now," he said.

Biden added that he won't try to negotiate an end to Russia's invasion.

"Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," he said.

During the CNN interview, Biden also said his Russian counterpart is a "rational actor" who has misjudged the situation in Ukraine.

"I think he is a rational actor who has miscalculated significantly," Biden said.

Biden added, however, that Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan for the "special military operation" in Ukraine is not logical.

"I think the speech, his objectives were not rational," he said. "I think he thought he was going to be welcomed with open arms, that this was the home of Mother Russia in Kyiv, and that where he was going to be welcomed, and I think he just totally miscalculated."

Biden previously said the world is at risk of a nuclear "Armageddon after Putin threatened to use all means necessary to protect Russia, including nuclear weapons.

"[Putin], in fact, cannot continue with impunity to talk about the use of a tactical nuclear weapon as if that's a rational thing to do," Biden added. "The mistakes get made, the miscalculation could occur, no one could be sure what would happen and it could end in Armageddon."

He told CNN, however, that he does not think Putin will use tactical nuclear weapons.

"I think it's irresponsible for him to talk about it, the idea that a world leader of one of the largest nuclear powers in the world says he may use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine," Biden said.

He said the use of nuclear weapons "could lead to just a horrible outcome," including a world war.

More Than 50 Bodies Found at Lyman Burial Site

Another mass burial site was discovered in a recently liberated city, Ukrainian officials report.

There were 35 burial sites discovered in settlements in the Donetsk oblast that were freed from Russian occupation, including in Sviatohirsk and Lyman. In total, more than 120 bodies were found in the liberated territories, including 64 civilians, according to the Ukrainian National Police.

As of of Wednesday, 56 bodies have been exhumed at Lyman. Of those, 22 are civilian bodies and 34 are bodies of military personnel, police say. Excavations are still ongoing.

The Ukrainian National Police said police officers detect "both signs of natural death and violent acts." There were injuries received as a result of both shelling and torture.

An investigation is underway as the bodies are sent for examination to determine causes of death.

Lyman was liberated in September as part of Ukraine's rapid counteroffensive to recapture territories under Russian occupation in the Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions.

Outage at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Caused by Shelling

Power at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) has been restored after an outage was reported earlier Wednesday morning.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, reported the plant lost all of its external power for the second time in five days Wednesday morning.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the repeated loss of the plant's off-site power is "a deeply worrying development and it underlines the urgent need for a nuclear safety & security protection zone around the site."

Hours after the outage was reported, Grossi announced that external power was restored. The ZNPP operators said the outage was by shelling damage to a far off sub-station.

Grossi said this highlights "how precarious the situation is."

"We need a protection zone ASAP," he said in a tweet.