Russian President Vladimir Putin is once again trying to seize through political backchanneling what he has failed to capture by force. According to the Financial Times (FT), Putin once again is trying to entice U.

Russia was the first to deploy decoy drones to bolster its Shahed force. Now Ukraine is doing likewise, and Russian air defenses are struggling.

A Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Orenburg gas plant has forced neighbouring Kazakhstan to reduce production at its Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field by 25% to 30%, two industry sources told Reuters on Monday.

Former Soviet Union expert Dr. Ronald Suny, and Distinguished University Professor of History and Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan and Emeritus Professor of Political Science and History at the University of Chicago,

On October 16, Russia fired 357 projectiles in its fourth massive overnight strike in two weeks. Ukraine intercepted 283 drones, decoys and missiles while another 18 missiles were “locally lost.” At least 14 missiles and 37 drones slipped through defenses.

European democracy and rule of law are at risk, the general says, so Europe must give Ukraine whatever it can to pressure Moscow, even if Trump does not.

Ukraine launched a drone strike on Russia’s Orenburg gas plant, damaging parts of it. There was no casualties reported as Moscow claimed to have downed 45 Ukrainian drones .

Russian forces are still edging forward along several parts of the long front line in Ukraine – despite yet another call from US President Donald Trump for a combat freeze along existing lines.