Exactly where the Russian defense minister is visiting the Kremlin troops in Ukraine remains unclear. But a video shows Shoigu talking to the new commander. As Kyiv anxiously awaits the US midterm elections, Turkey’s president continues to put the brakes on Sweden’s NATO entry. The 258th day of the war at a glance.
Commander Surovikin explains the situation to Shoigu
According to information from Moscow, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has visited his own soldiers in Ukraine. His ministry released a video showing Shoigu having the military situation explained to him by the new commander of the Russian troops, Sergey Surovikin. The politician also decorated Russian soldiers with medals. Exactly where Shoigu is said to have been in Ukraine was not disclosed.
More than eight months after the start of the war of aggression, the Russian occupiers are under increasing pressure, particularly in the southern Ukrainian region of Cherson. Surovikin had already announced “difficult decisions” at the end of October, which observers interpreted at the time as an indication of a planned withdrawal. Also this Tuesday, both the Russian and the Ukrainian side reported on ongoing heavy fighting in Cherson.
London: Russians fortify Mariupol
According to the British Ministry of Defense, Russia is building defenses around the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. For this purpose, pyramid-shaped anti-tank structures made of concrete, the so-called dragon’s teeth, are manufactured in two plants. The Dragon’s Teeth are probably placed between Mariupol and the village of Nikolske, and between northern Mariupol and the village of Staryi Krym. Mariupol is part of the Russian “land bridge” from Russia to Crimea, which is an important logistical line of communication. Russia is currently strengthening its defense lines in all occupied territories. On October 19, for example, the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, reported the construction of a fortified “Wagner Line” in the Luhansk region occupied by Russia. The defenses built deep behind the current front line are designed to prevent rapid Ukrainian advances in the event of a breakthrough.
Selenskyj takes part in the G20 summit, Putin keeps it open
According to information from Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the G20 summit next week – but will probably not travel to Indonesia in person. Presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov was quoted as saying on Ukrainian television that the 44-year-old would probably be connected to the event via video. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, has not yet announced whether he will attend the summit.
US midterm elections are causing tension in Kyiv
In Kyiv, the outcome of the US midterm elections is awaited with suspense – the majority in parliament is currently being voted on there. Republicans in the House of Representatives have threatened to slow down or even block massive US aid to Ukraine if they win the Congress Chamber. That could change the course of the war in Russia’s favour. However, observers saw the threat as an attempt to build up pressure to get the Democrats to make concessions elsewhere.
Russia is open to dialogue with Washington
Russia remains open to dialogue with the US for “mutual benefit,” according to the State Department. They want to “maintain targeted contacts with the United States on necessary issues,” said ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on state television. Washington had recently warned Moscow several times against the use of nuclear weapons.
US Ambassador to UN for talks in Kyiv
The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, traveled to Kyiv for talks. At a meeting with Zelenskyy, the US mission to the United Nations said she promised continued support from the United States. The United States is ready to support the country for as long as necessary. The diplomat also toured a grain factory and visited a forensic laboratory and a collective shelter for internally displaced people in Irpin. Just last Friday, US President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, held talks in Ukraine. The United States is not only supporting the country in its defensive struggle against Russia with military aid, but also with humanitarian aid.
Moscow bans military cooperation with 20 German companies
In response to Western sanctions, Russia banned military-technical cooperation with 74 foreign companies. The list includes companies from various “unfriendly countries”, including 20 companies from Germany, as Moscow announced. This also includes companies from Bulgaria, Great Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Montenegro, Poland and the USA. In the course of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, numerous countries and also the EU had imposed far-reaching sanctions on Moscow since February.
Erdogan slows down Sweden
Turkey still does not pave the way for Sweden and Finland to join NATO. He hopes for more progress at the next Swedish-Finnish-Turkish meeting in Stockholm at the end of November, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a first meeting with the new Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Ankara. Sweden wants to join NATO for its own security – it is only right if it does everything to help Turkey with its security.
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