Metro AG responded, saying it did not approve the donations. On Sept. 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian subsidiary of Metro AG under the Kremlin's control.

The peace discussions will begin at the technical level with negotiation teams, Zelensky said. If those efforts prove productive, then meetings between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump will be held.

A ship called the Agioi Fanendes, which had just left Russia's Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, was carrying 40,000 metric tons to New York and had been traveling westwards through the Baltic Sea ever since.

The detention of two Ukrainian journalists in Austria earlier this month while conducting an investigation has highlighted deeper systemic concerns.

Mykhailo Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko were investigating a former Ukrainian prosecutor general who had fled Ukraine and settled in Vienna.

Austria has increasingly come under scrutiny for providing refuge to

Key developments on Oct. 23:

• Ukraine, Russia agree on local ceasefire for Russian-occupied Oleshky, mediated by Melania Trump
• Civilian cargo ship sinks off coast of Romania after Russian drone strike, authorities say
• Ukraine to end automatic 100% mobilization exemptions for critical industries, Prime Minister says
• Ukrainian drone attack triggers shut

Companies will still be able to request higher exemption quotas if needed to maintain operations, while the government plans to introduce a new system allowing full exemptions for businesses that help recruit employees for military service.

"Russia's war keeps putting Moldovan lives at risk," President Maia Sandu said, calling it Russia's "latest dangerous act."

The first Russian diesel tanker under the new deal between Russia and the United States is now heading for New York with a 40,000-metric-ton cargo, enough to cover barely two hours of American demand.

The deal began with a phone call, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to

Kyiv Independent journalists Jimmy Rushton and Danylo Mokryk argue that Donald Trump’s pressure on Kyiv is backfiring — strengthening support for Volodymyr Zelensky while undermining trust in the United States.

"If there's a problem, I will get it straightened out," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

Chernihiv City Council said two private businesses were targeted in the Russian attack but provided no further details.

U.S. President Donald Trump may be considering further sanctions relief for Russia following his recent diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, several Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

The potential move would fit an approach in which the Trump administration offers

Restrictions were placed on incoming and outgoing flights in Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky airports, Russian civilian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya reported.

One person was confirmed dead and three others were missing from the 13-member crew, according to Romanian President Nicusor Dan.

The move comes amid increased attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the city, which over the past weeks has gained international attention, including from Pope Leo XIV.

Ukrainian media outlet Slidstvo.info established the presence of the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment, together with its commander, Georgy Yanchev.

The exchange, the first in two months, also saw 270 Russian prisoners of war returned to Russia from Ukrainian captivity.

First delivered to Ukraine in 2024, the U.S.-made jets have become a key part of the country's defenses against Russian attacks on its rear areas, particularly jet-powered drones.

Eleven days after Ukraine's Starshield terminals started mysteriously malfunctioning, there is still nobody in Washington who wants to take responsibility, while Trump administration officials continue pointing fingers firmly at SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 23 that U.S. President Donald Trump had

Three members of the Russian Embassy, as well as a Russian delegate at the OSCE responsible for military security and arms control, "carried out activities incompatible with their diplomatic status," Austria's Foreign Ministry said.