Tuesday, October 8

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Paramedics of the volunteer medical battalion Hospitallers treat Ukrainian servicemen wounded in fighting in Donetsk Oblast on a medical evacuation bus driving to a hospital, on Oct. 6, 2024. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

Kyiv attacks oil depot in Crimea. A fire erupted at an oil depot in Russia-occupied Feodosia in the early hours of Oct. 7, reportedly following a drone attack, according to Russian media.

Russian Baltic Sea Fleet vessel out of action after Ukraine’s sabotage, intelligence says. The Russian Baltic Fleet minesweeper Alexander Obukhov was put out of action thanks to a sabotage operation by Ukraine’s military intelligence, the agency said on Oct. 7.

Ukraine’s 3rd Brigade frees captured soldiers in Kharkiv Oblast skirmish. Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade managed to regain positions and free a group of captive Ukrainian soldiers during an engagement with a Russian sabotage group in Kharkiv Oblast, the unit said on Oct. 7.

Russian airstrike against Kherson injures 20, including children. Russia attacked the city around 10:40 a.m., with two KAB bombs being dropped in the coastal area of the central district and two more in the northern part of Kherson.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Kyiv’s air defense intercepts Russian Kinzhal strike. Missile debris fell in Ukraine’s capital following explosions and a nationwide air raid alert on the morning of Oct. 7, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Ukraine’s 72nd Brigade that defended Vuhledar has new commander. Colonel Oleksandr Okhrimenko was appointed the new commander of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade after the transfer of his predecessor, Ivan Vinnik, the unit said.

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada restricts use of Telegram for parliament officials. Lawmakers and parliament officials will be barred from installing Telegram on work devices and will have to use two-factor authentication when using the app for other purposes.

Russian court sentences 72-year-old US citizen for fighting for Ukraine. A Moscow court sentenced 72-year-old American Stephen James Hubbard to nearly seven years in prison for fighting in Ukraine as “a mercenary,” Russian independent media outlet Mediazona reported on Oct. 7.

Residents in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast to be paid record $31,000 signing bonus for joining army. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on Oct. 7 that residents in the region will be paid a nationwide record 3 million rubles (about $31,200) through a one-time signing bonus for joining the military.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Russian ship disabled after sabotage; Kyiv attacks oil depot in Crimea

The Russian Baltic Fleet minesweeper Alexander Obukhov has been put out of action thanks to a sabotage operation by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), the agency said on Oct. 7.

Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

Dutch Defense Minister Brekelmans on F-16s, Victory Plan, Ukraine’s NATO bid

Sitting at Kyiv’s main train station moments before wrapping up his trip to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans had a lot to discuss.

Photo: Ruben Brekelmans / X

Human cost of war

Russian strike on infrastructure facilities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast injures 3. The announcement comes after multiple warnings in the morning about a threat of Russian guided aerial bombs and ballistic and cruise missiles.

Russian attack on Odesa Oblast damages civilian vessel. The vessel, loaded with about 6,000 tons of Ukrainian corn intended for export, was damaged at the Pivdennyi Port, according to Kuleba.

Second Russian attack on Odesa damages foreign civilian vessel, casualties reported. Russian forces struck a foreign civilian ship flying the flag of Palau, in Odesa on Oct. 7, according to Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper. A 60 year-old Ukrainian port employee was killed and five foreign nationals were injured as a result of the attack.

Opinions and insights

Will the Middle East crisis affect Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Russia? It’s complicated

Iran supplied different range missiles to Russia than it fired upon Israel but expert says Tehran may need them too if bigger war erupts in the Middle East.

Photo: Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Opinion: With elections ahead, Georgia stands between Russia and the West

Georgia’s government is playing a dangerous double game, drifting from its Euro-Atlantic path toward Moscow’s influence.

Photo: Giorgi Arjevanidze / AFP via Getty Images

International response

Harris says she will not meet Putin for truce talks without Ukraine’s participation. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said in an interview aired on Oct. 7 that if she is elected, she would refuse to engage in peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine’s involvement.

Infamous Russian arms dealer preparing deal with Yemen’s Houthis, WSJ reports. Viktor Bout gained fame in 2005 after a movie titled “Lord of War,” allegedly portraying his life of selling weapons for decades to Middle Eastern, South American, and African clients before he was arrested in 2008 and imprisoned in the U.S.

North Korea warns NATO of ‘tragic consequences’ after Russia ties criticism. NATO accused North Korea and Iran of “fueling” the war in Ukraine by giving missiles, shells, and drones to Russia in a statement issued last week.

In other news

Ukraine, Slovakia to create joint energy hub, Shmyhal says. “As a result, we will expand our export and import capabilities and strengthen the energy security of both countries,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

Putin greeted as ‘Tsar’ on his birthday by influential far-right ideologue. Russian President Vladimir Putin was greeted by the hail “God save the Tsar” on the occasion of his 72nd birthday by ultra-nationalist Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin on his Telegram channel just minutes after midnight on Oct. 7.

Putin’s Black Sea residence demolished due to safety concerns, Russian media reports. President Vladimir Putin has reportedly stopped visiting his residence in Sochi due to concerns over potential drone attacks, according to the independent Russian media outlet Proekt. The outlet revealed that the main building of the Bocharov Ruchey residence was demolished earlier this year.

Pope appoints Ukrainian bishop to College of Cardinals. When inaugurated, Ukraine-born Bishop Mykola Bychok will be one of the youngest members of the College and the only cardinal from the country.

Pro-war blogger arrested in Russia after criticizing Kremlin. Guzenko is the author of the popular Telegram channel Trinadtsaty (Thirteenth), which has over 300,000 subscribers. He covers Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, writing posts in support of Moscow’s invasion.

This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Contact partnerships@kyivindependent.com for more details.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Kateryna Denisova, Boldizsar Gyori, Oleg Sukhov, Chris York, Oleksiy Sorokin, Dmytro Basmat, and Olena Goncharova.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.