The US president, with an executive order, suspended important measures against Moscow a few days before they came into force. Their effectiveness would have complicated his efforts to reduce diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections. The stop marks "an important and truly historic moment". Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the Russian president for investments, wrote this on X. Meanwhile, a new attack from the US leader on Zelensky: "He's more difficult than Putin, it's his fault for the expensive energy"
President Donald Trump, with an executive order, suspended important sanctions and export duties against Russia provided for by the 'Lindsey Graham Act', a few days before it came into force. Their effectiveness would have complicated his efforts to reduce diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections. The decision marks "an important and truly historic moment." Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the Russian president for investments, wrote this on X, arguing that economic cooperation between Russia and the United States responds to the interests of both countries and contributes to global stability.
Meanwhile, a new attack from the US president on Zelensky: 'He's more difficult than Putin, it's his fault for the high energy costs'. The Kremlin applauds and the Ukrainian president relies on Europe: 'The real leaders are in the EU, if we fall 20 million refugees will arrive here', he tells the Brussels Council. Kallas admits that 'without Starlink, war is a problem'.
From Gemelli, still convalescing, Leo XIV works for peace. In a phone call to Russian President Putin asks for a 'humanitarian truce for the tormented city of Oleshky', whose civilians are trapped on the front line, at the center of CEI President Zuppi's talks in Moscow. Putin assured 'support for Leo's initiative', however placing the blame on Kiev.
Massive raid on Vinnytsia, at least six injured
The Vinnytsia region, in central-western Ukraine, today suffered one of the most massive attacks since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The head of the regional military administration, Natalia Zabolotna, reported this on Facebook, reporting at least six injuries and damage to civilian and critical infrastructure. In the last 24 hours, anti-aircraft defenses have shot down 24 Russian drones over the region. Critical infrastructure runs on back-up energy systems, Zabolotna added. Energy sector operators and municipal services are working to restore electricity and water supplies.
Images of evacuation in Zaporizhzhia, 5 injured including a little girl
New images show damage to residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, where, according to Ukrainian media, five people were injured following Russian air strikes overnight. Sky News reports it. The images also show rescuers helping residents escape their homes. Among the injured there was also an 11-year-old girl.
IMF, delegates leave the meeting when the Russian minister takes the floor
Several delegates, including many from the EU, left the IMF steering committee when Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov took the floor. Reuters writes this, citing some sources, according to which the delegates who left include those from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The German delegation on Thursday lambasted US-led efforts to bring Russia back to the international stage, after Siluanov attended the meeting of G20 finance ministers and governors in Bangkok. Just over a month ago it was the USA that brought the minister back, for the first time since the outbreak of the war on Ukraine, to the G20 at the meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.
Ukraine, Massolo: "Different objectives among the allies"
"Displaced once again by Trump on Ukraine, the Europeans have on the whole held their own. We will know after the midterm elections whether lifting the sanctions on Russian diesel was an electoral maneuver or a change in structural policy. It certainly helps the Russians, weakens the Ukrainians and has little influence on the price of fuel." Thus Giampiero Massolo in the Corriere della Sera, underlining how "in the meantime the European Council has reiterated its support" and "NATO, through its US military commander, has launched a new deterrence strategy" and how "the European objective" remains "to induce Putin to negotiate seriously".
"The American one, which is more oscillating, does not seem to rule out direct agreements with Moscow. The situation on the ground shows that there is no reason to believe the end of the stalemate is imminent", he observes, inviting us to follow "three dynamics carefully". "The first concerns the greater autonomy acquired by Ukraine compared to the United States: the development of its own military capabilities and European support have made Kiev less blackmailable. Even if Washington remains essential for intelligence support and anti-aircraft defense - he continues - The second concerns Russia's stability with its war economy put to the test and increasingly evident social cracks. The third highlights the risk of escalation between two parties now willing to bear ever-increasing costs without deflecting".
These are dynamics which, "if they do not remain under control, could get out of hand: more margin for Ukraine requires a dose of European counterweight to avoid inappropriate drift; a concrete risk of Russia's implosion can open up unpredictable scenarios; a further escalation risks making the conflict uncontrollable", he observes, convinced "the determination shown by Europe (net of future electoral developments)" is "essential to give credibility to dissuasion and prevent an outcome of the war that threatens our security". "Equally crucial is seeking a connection with Washington, where Trump's move has also disconcerted Congress - he concludes - His unexpected announcement (as well as some proposals made by the US on the use of frozen Russian funds) have interrupted an ongoing coordination between American, Ukrainian and European emissaries to develop negotiating hypotheses. It is good that it resumes. And Italy must be part of it".
War in Ukraine and technology dependence: the Starlink case
The blockade of Starshield, the military version of Musk's creation, slowed down Ukrainian drones for 36 hours: the limitation of services occurred a few hours after a new stance by Washington in favor of Moscow and yet another distant clash between Trump and Zelensky. This is also why the affair, in addition to fueling doubts about American support for Kiev, has above all turned the spotlight on how risky it is to entrust the fate of a war to a private technology managed by a government.
Moscow: "The stop of US sanctions is a historic moment"
The suspension of certain provisions of the Graham Act marks "an important and truly historic moment." Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the Russian president for investments, wrote this on X, arguing that economic cooperation between Russia and the United States responds to the interests of both countries and contributes to global stability. According to Dmitriev, the law, which would have undergone "fundamental and profoundly negative" changes after Senator Graham's death, could have "completely disrupted any economic cooperation between Russia and the United States", causing serious damage especially to the American economy and world markets. "Economic cooperation between Russia and the United States serves the interests of both nations, contributes to global economic stability, and lays the foundation for building trust and achieving lasting peace," he said. "Instead of sanctions and confrontation, we need dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation and shared responsibility for global stability," concluded Dmitriev.
Media: "134 ships involved in Russian gas trade since war began"
The German non-governmental organization Urgewald identified 134 ships involved in the Russian gas trade from February 24, 2022 to October 15, 2026, which transported more than 150 million tons of cargo. The Kyiv Independent reports this, citing data shared by the organization. As of October 15, another 1.5 million tonnes were in transit. Between the Sept. 18 signing of the sanctions bill sponsored by the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Oct. 15, 42 tankers transported Russian gas, according to the analysis. US President Donald Trump in recent hours has granted a broad exemption to the sanctions against Russia which were due to come into force in a few days. The law authorized the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five major countries purchasing Russian oil and gas and provided for widespread sanctions against Russian officials, banks and the energy sector, including ships involved in the LNG trade. “Trump gutted this law before his major sanctions could take effect,” Alexander Kirk of Urgewald said, the Kyiv Independent reported. Kirk called the decision a betrayal of the bipartisan effort and an aid to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow: "Ship hit in the Black Sea with weapons for Kiev"
The Russian armed forces have struck a bulk carrier in the Black Sea which, according to the Moscow Defense Ministry, was carrying military equipment intended for the Ukrainian army. "A bulk carrier headed to the port of Odessa to deliver military equipment was hit at sea," the ministry said, quoted by the Interfax agency.
Media: "The order to limit the use of Kiev's Starshield came from the White House"
The order to limit SpaceX's Starshield satellite service used by Ukraine for military communications and drone operations reportedly came from inside the White House. The Reuters website reports this, citing two US officials and one Western official informed about the matter. According to sources, US Department of Defense leaders were told that the Starshield service intended for the Ukrainian armed forces would have to be slowed down. The officials, who spoke anonymously, did not say who in the White House made the decision or who was charged with implementing it. Ukrainian officials reported this week that military-grade satellite receivers had stopped working when mounted on fast-moving objects, affecting the performance of drones that use them for onboard guidance systems. On Thursday, a source in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that the devices had resumed working on the move, but only up to a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. The restrictions have complicated missions against Russian forces and logistics infrastructure in the occupied territories, as well as slowed down interceptor drones deployed to shoot down incoming Russian Shaheds. Asked about the directive, a senior U.S. official said the president "never made such a request." The White House did not respond to questions about whether other members of the administration were involved. SpaceX, the Department of Defense and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington also did not respond to requests for comment.
War in Ukraine, 227 billion in EU aid arrived from 2022: the data
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear at the European Council that the war against Russia next year will cost 155 billion euros, and said that a contribution of 70 billion will be needed. Community funds in Kiev and the cost of the conflict in 2027 were the topics at the center of the October 16th episode of "Numeri", an in-depth analysis by Sky TG24.
Kiev, Russian raids during the night with missiles and 332 drones: 293 targets neutralized
Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and 332 attack drones. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted or neutralized 293 targets, while impacts were recorded at 22 locations. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Kiev Air Force. According to the preliminary report released at 8 local time, four Kalibr cruise missiles and 289 drones were shot down or neutralized, including Shahed, S-8000 Banderoľ, Gerbera and other models. The attack also involved Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles, launched from the Russian regions of Voronezh and Rostov and occupied Crimea, as well as Kh-22/32 cruise missiles and four Kalibr launched from the Black Sea, from the Novorossiysk area. Debris from the intercepted aircraft fell in three other locations. In the early hours of Saturday, ballistic and cruise missile attacks also hit Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, damaging buildings and an industrial plant and causing injuries.
Pope Leo XIV improves, phone call with Putin. VIDEO
The Pope asks for a truce for the city of Oleshky
From Gemelli, still convalescing, Leo XIV works for peace. In a phone call to Russian President Putin asks for a 'humanitarian truce for the tormented city of Oleshky', whose civilians are trapped on the front line, at the center of CEI President Zuppi's talks in Moscow. Putin assured 'support for Leo's initiative', however placing the blame on Kiev. In the morning the Pope celebrated mass and tomorrow he will recite the Angelus. The first photos after surgery also prove the recovery. Secretary of State Parolin corrects the meaning of the words on the need for a 'remodulation of the pontificate'.
