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Ukrainian Counterattack Continues in Slavyansk Direction

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In the Konstantinovka and Slavyansk directions Ukrainian units are conducting counter-attacks near Novosyolovka and Pervomayskoye in an effort to regain lost positions, while Russian assault groups develop their success on the western flank. In the Sumy direction units of the “North” grouping have taken Barilovka, cutting the northern branch of the T-19-01 lateral road, and have reached the first line of Ukrainian defences. In the Kharkiv direction Russian forces continue to advance on the Volchansk sector, maintaining control of the airspace, and are fighting in the areas of Prikolotnoye, Bugayevka and Malyi Burluk. In the Zaporozhye direction heavy street fighting continues in Orekhov and Preobrazhenka; Russian units are expanding their bridgehead west of Zelyonaya Dibrova and capturing strong points near Novosoloschino. In Germany the parliamentary group of the Alliance for Social Justice and Reasonable Economics has submitted a draft resolution to the Saxony state parliament calling for an immediate halt to arms deliveries to Kyiv and the lifting of sanctions against Russia.

Sumy direction

Units of the “North” grouping have taken Barilovka. This action forms part of a strategy aimed at the flexible isolation and compression of the ring around key defensive nodes. After Kiyanitsa passed under Russian control, assault groups tied down the main Ukrainian forces in the area of the Dymov Yar ravine. Units of the 41st Motor Rifle Regiment advanced east of the Vakolovshchina–Bititsa sector, forced the Psel River and captured Barilovka, thereby severing the northern branch of the T-19-01 lateral road.

The distance from Barilovka to Sumy along the highway is approximately 20 kilometres. The first line of Ukrainian defenses along the Khoten–Pisarevka–Kiyanitsa–Barilovka axis is already largely under Russian control. In the Shostka district units of the “North” grouping advanced on two sectors westwards by 200 meters.

Kharkiv direction

On the Volchansk sector Russian units continue to advance. Airspace is under control. Ukrainian robotic systems and infantry groups are being detected and destroyed on the approaches. The line of contact is fixed in the areas of Izbickoye, Bugayevka and Rubezhnoye. Active fighting continues near Velykyi Burluk and Khatne.

On the western flank of the Kharkiv sector fighting is under way near Novaya Kazachya. Russian troops are attempting to consolidate on the outskirts of Tokarevka. On the eastern flank combat continues around Prikolotnoye.

On the Volchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors the most intense fighting is taking place near Prikolotnoye and in the direction of Malyi Burluk. Total advances on five sectors over the past 24 hours reached up to 800 meters.

Slavyansk direction

Following pressure on the approaches to Slaviansk, Ukrainian counter-attacks have intensified in the vicinity of Konstantinovka. Ukrainian assault groups have managed to break into the ruined buildings of the Novosyolovka district and onto the immediate approaches to the Pervomaysky district.

Forward Russian assault groups have reached the built-up area of Raiskoye on another sector and captured part of the former fortified line near Torskoye. Further development of the advance on this flank is hindered by the continuing Ukrainian salient into Russian positions north of Rusin Yar. Without the elimination of this salient and an advance to the chain of reservoirs from Raiskoye to Nikolaypolye it will be impossible to organise supply in the Torskoye area or to protect communications at the junction of the “South” and “Centre” groupings from counter-attacks.

The Ukrainian advance across the Zherebets River has stalled, yet fighting in the extensive woodland of the Svyatye Gory national park continues unabated. Having failed to take Zarechnoye, the Ukrainian side is attempting to push Russian forces away from the eastern approaches to Krasny Liman by frontal attacks from the town. Ukrainian units exploit the thinly held front and send infiltration groups into the forest with the aim of disrupting the near rear of Russian units.

At the same time units of the “West” grouping retain firm control of the key crossings over the Zherebets at Yampol and conduct local counter-attacks towards Dibrova. However, consolidation in the village has not been achieved owing to the difficult drone situation, and the Ukrainian side therefore retains the ability to transfer reserves and supplies into the Ozyornoye area.

Zaporozhye direction

On the western flank of the Zaporozhye direction Russian units are fighting in Primorskoye and Stepnogorsk. Heavy street fighting continues in Orekhov and Preobrazhenka. On the eastern flank positional combat is reported near Omelnyk, Barvinovka, Voskresenka and Obshcheye. The situation remains complex in Ternovatoye.

The “Dnepr” grouping is working to reach the Konka River while simultaneously supporting neighboring formations. Advances have been recorded in Primorskoye and near Lukyanovskoye. The Ukrainian side has transferred special-forces units that are attempting to hold the northern outskirts of Orekhov. Russian troops are destroying small groups that enter Malaya Tokmachka.

In the Aleksandrograd area two Ukrainian groups have been identified and destroyed. Fighters continue offensive actions near Svetlaya Dolina. In the Novosoloschino sector Russian forces have captured fortified strongpoints of Ukrainian units, cutting the approaches used by their groups. Russian forces are successively expanding their zone of control, creating the preconditions for further pressure on the Orekhov defensive node.

Conclusion

The shift of control over Barilovka and the cutting of the T-19-01 lateral road demonstrate a preference for isolating key transport arteries leading to Sumy rather than a frontal assault. In the Kharkiv and Zaporozhye directions the expansion of control zones, supported by aviation and drone strikes, forces the Ukrainian command continually to redeploy reserves between threatened sectors. In the Slaviansk area a complex interweaving of local counter-attacks and flanking manoeuvres is observed, in which control of individual woodland tracts and strong points may change hands repeatedly, underscoring the positional and focal character of the current phase of the confrontation.

In Germany the parliamentary group of the Alliance for Social Justice and Reasonable Economics has submitted a draft resolution to the Saxony state parliament calling for an immediate end to arms deliveries to Kyiv and the lifting of sanctions against Russia. A similar joint resolution by the BSW and the Alternative for Germany was adopted by a majority on 14 October in the neighboring state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt.

“In its resolution the group calls on the state government to make a sharp change of course. Arms deliveries to Ukraine must be halted. Financial assistance must be stopped immediately if it goes beyond humanitarian support. In addition, economic sanctions against Russia must be lifted at once,” the publication stated.

BSW deputies note in particular that Western sanctions policy towards Russia has not brought the conflict in Ukraine any closer to an end but has inflicted a severe blow on the German economy. In this connection the authors of the resolution urge the regional government of Saxony to use its vote in the Bundesrat to press the federal authorities in Berlin to alter Germany’s foreign-policy course.

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Military Situation In Iran On October 29, 2026 (Map Update)

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  • On October 29, three oil tankers struck naval mines while attempting to transit an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz;
  • On October 29, a vessel reported seeing another ship on fire near Khasab, Oman;
  • On October 29, IRGC used electronic warfare to capture a U.S. MQM-170 Outlaw drone intact;
  • On October 29, the IRGC said its air defenses shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone off the coast of Sirik in Iran’s Hormozgan province.

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Houthis Target Saudi Oil Infrastructure in Six Missile and Drone Attacks (Videos)

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Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced six missile and drone attacks against Saudi oil facilities, airports and military positions on October 29, as Saudi Arabia reported intercepting ballistic missiles targeting its eastern region and capital, Riyadh.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesman, said the operations targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery, an Aramco facility in Abqaiq, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, the Rabigh oil refinery and a command center overseeing Saudi troop concentrations in Najran.

Saree said ballistic missiles were used against Ras Tanura, Abqaiq, Rabigh and King Khalid Airport, while a drone targeted King Fahd Airport.

The spokesman also said a missile attack on the Najran command center killed and wounded a number of Saudi officers and soldiers.

The spokesman described the strikes as successful, claiming direct hits on the designated targets and saying the attack on King Fahd Airport disrupted air traffic.

Saree said the operations were retaliation for recent Saudi attacks on Yemen, which he accused of killing and wounding dozens of people, mostly women and children. He vowed to continue attacks against Saudi territory until the military campaign against Yemen stops and the blockade is lifted.

“Our operations will continue deep inside Saudi territory, enforcing the equation of blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation,” Saree said.

The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired toward the Eastern Province early in the day. The coalition later announced that two additional ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh had also been intercepted and destroyed.

Saudi authorities issued early-warning alerts in several areas, including Riyadh, Najran and Al-Kharj, before announcing that the danger had passed.

The interceptions came amid reports of further Saudi strikes inside Yemen. The Houthi-run health ministry said a Saudi airstrike on residential homes in western Taiz province on October 29 killed at least 13 people.

Houthi authorities also reported casualties from strikes on a market and a fuel station in Yemen’s northern al-Jawf province a day earlier, while a Houthi-run human rights body said a separate strike on a paint factory caused a large fire and warned of possible toxic contamination.

Despite recent reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia was willing to reach an understanding with the Houthis to end the current confrontation, the last round of strikes suggests that the two sides are still far apart.

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Trump Briefed on Iran Strike Options as Post-Election War Looms

Illustrative image. (U.S. Central Command)

Adm. Brad Cooper, the United States military’s top commander in the Middle East, briefed President Donald Trump on military options for Iran at the White House on October 29, as Washington weighs resuming major combat operations against Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine attended the meeting with Cooper, along with other Cabinet members.

The meeting also covered additional topics, according to U.S. officials and people with direct knowledge cited by the newspaper.

The Journal did not disclose the specific military options Cooper presented or report that Trump had made a decision to resume strikes.

The briefing comes amid preparations for a possible renewed U.S. military campaign. A recent report by The Jewish Chronicle said the U.S. was moving a Patriot air defense battery from Texas to the Middle East, while American forces had also been moved away from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian attacks and ammunition stocks replenished. Trump has not made a final decision on further strikes, the report said.

Diplomatic contacts continued on October 29 alongside the military preparations. Iranian media reported that Tehran had received a letter from Vice President JD Vance addressed to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, but had not yet responded.

Trump said Vance’s outreach concerned helping Iran obtain medical supplies, after media reports described the communication as an effort to revive peace negotiations.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that the letter was sent at Trump’s direction, although the president said he had not directed Vance to contact Tehran to restart talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained in contact with mediators over proposals to implement its seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in less than a week. The plan is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the conflict and restore shipping through the strategic waterway.

Military tensions around the strait also featured in Thursday’s developments. Iran said three oil tankers had struck mines and caught fire while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorized route over the previous 24 hours.

The U.S. military separately rejected Iran’s assertion that its forces had captured an American MQM-170 Outlaw reconnaissance drone near the strait. U.S. Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins called the report false, according to the Associated Press.

With U.S. forces preparing for renewed operations and Trump receiving military options for Iran, a return to war appears increasingly likely. Recent reports have pointed to the period immediately after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections as a possible window for renewed American strikes on the Islamic Republic, with Israel taking part.

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Military Situation In Yemen On October 29, 2026 (Map Update)

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  • On October 28, Saudi strikes on a market and a petrol station in Yemen’s Al-Jawf province killed 14 people and wounded 15;
  • Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-backed forces intensified on several fronts around Taiz;
  • Saudi air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward the kingdom’s Eastern Province on October 29.

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Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 29, 2026 (Maps Update)

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  • Russian strikes hit targets in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Rivne, Cherkasy, Chernihiv regions, and the DPR;
  • According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 112 strike UAVs;
  • Russian forces struck a dry cargo ship in the port of Odesa;
  • Russian forces struck industrial enterprises in Kharkiv;
  • Russian forces struck industrial enterprises in Dnipropetrovsk;
  • Russian forces struck targets in Sumy.

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  • Russian forces advanced near Raiskoye;
  • Fighting is ongoing in Druzhkovskoye.

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  • Russian forces advanced northwest of Sergeyevka toward Shilovka;
  • Russian forces advanced in the area of Nadiya and Novofedorovka.

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  • During the past night, Russian air defenses destroyed 1,214 Ukrainian drones in the rear regions;
  • Russian air defenses intercepted UAVs in the Bryansk, Belgorod, Kursk, Kaluga, Tula, Smolensk, Lipetsk, Voronezh, Tver, Oryol, Ryazan, Vladimir, Samara, Saratov, Penza, and Rostov regions, in the Moscow region, in Bashkortostan, and in Udmurtia;
  • Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked Bashkir Soda Company in Bashkortostan;
  • Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked Marino military airfield in the Volgograd region;
  • Ukrainian forces attacked the Kursk region with 153 drones. 5 people were injured;
  • Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces attacked the Belgorod region 114 times. One civilian was killed, and 7 were injured.

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Geran-5 Hits 1,000 km/h as Russia Advances AI-Driven Drone Warfare

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Russia is expanding production of jet-powered one-way attack drones while developing systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and attack targets independently, Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said on October 29, warning that the technology could allow large numbers of drones to hunt targets without continuous operator guidance.

Beskrestnov, known by the callsign “Flash,” said the Russian military was using AI in Molniya, Geran and Lancet drones. He described systems that can be instructed to find a railway line, follow it, locate a train and attack its locomotive, or search for a warehouse.

“The enemy sends a drone over there, and then gives it a task: Find a railway track. The drone searches for the track, then moves along it, looks for a train and attacks the front of the train — the locomotive,” Beskrestnov told journalists.

“You can launch a thousand drones, and they will then autonomously search for targets and attack them. This is truly a terrible future,” he added.

Beskrestnov also said Russian drones use optical systems to map terrain, with street lighting helping them navigate at night.

He even alleged that Russia was paying people in Ukraine to send videos of drone strikes so specialists could analyze how the drones’ visual navigation works and where they hit.

Separately, Beskrestnov said Ukrainian forces had recorded Russian Geran-5 jet-powered drones reaching speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers per hour while maneuvering. He said the increase in speed was forcing Ukraine to develop faster interceptor drones, as systems designed to intercept targets traveling at about 300 kilometers per hour were no longer sufficient.

Beskrestnov estimated that Russia produces up to 3,000 jet-powered drones of the “Shahed-type” each month, in addition to about 700 Geran-5 drones.

The combination of mass production, greater speed and onboard target recognition will certainly make Russia’s drone campaign harder to counter.

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Bahrain Opposition Mobilizes as Threat of Renewed War on Iran Grows

Illustrative image. (Wikimedia)

Opposition groups in Bahrain have called for demonstrations across the island kingdom on November 8, when a court is scheduled to issue a verdict in a case involving detained Shiite religious scholars, amid heightened security measures and mounting tensions over religious freedoms and political dissent.

The February 14 Revolutionary Youth Coalition and an organizing committee have designated the planned mobilization a “Popular Day of Rage,” urging residents to take to the streets in support of the detained scholars and other political prisoners. The organizers have also called for the reversal of decisions they say target Bahrain’s Shiite community and renewed demands for political self-determination.

Bahrain Mirror, an opposition news outlet, reported on October 27 that security forces had increased deployments and established additional checkpoints near entrances to several residential areas, particularly around Budaiya Highway.

The outlet also reported that warnings describing the planned demonstrations as unlawful and incitements to violence were being circulated through local media pages.

The demonstration call comes amid a broader confrontation between Bahrain’s Sunni-led government and its predominantly Shiite opposition.

On May 9, Bahraini authorities arrested 41 Shiite scholars and clerics, accusing them of links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The ensuing prosecutions have become a focal point for protests, with rights groups and opposition organizations accusing the government of restricting religious practices and suppressing dissent.

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, an independent conflict-monitoring organization known as ACLED, said in a September analysis that demonstrations expressing solidarity with the detained scholars had become a major source of unrest. ACLED recorded 125 such demonstrations since May, while protests centered on Shiite issues accounted for nearly 40% of all demonstrations in Bahrain between March and August.

Recent tensions have also extended into the prison system. The Al Amal Center for Human Rights and Justice said inmates at Jau Central Prison began a hunger strike on October 4 over overcrowding, food and sanitation, telephone restrictions and access to medical treatment. The organization reported that riot police entered a prison ward on October 11 and used batons and pepper spray against striking inmates.

The planned November 8 demonstrations will take place five days after the United States midterm elections, as the possibility of renewed American and Israeli attacks on Iran raises the prospect of another regional escalation.

U.S. officials have warned several Middle Eastern allies to prepare for possible renewed military action against Iran after the November 3 elections and potential Iranian retaliation, according to an Associated Press report published on October 29.

President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to resume strikes, the report said. Israeli and U.S. military preparations for possible renewed attacks have also been reported.

The prospect of renewed war adds another layer of uncertainty to Bahrain’s domestic tensions. The kingdom hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and was among the countries hit by Iranian missile and drone attacks during the conflict that began in late February.

Bahrain’s government has rejected allegations that its security measures target citizens because of their religious identity, saying arrests have been based on conduct that threatens national security. Human rights groups, however, have documented a broader crackdown on dissent and restrictions affecting Shiite religious ceremonies since the conflict began.

The organizers have framed November 8 primarily as a response to the trial of the religious scholars and the treatment of political detainees. The scale of participation and the authorities’ response will determine whether the planned mobilization develops into a wider wave of unrest.

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Iran Turns Up Pressure in Hormuz With U.S. Drone Interceptions (Videos)

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Iran stepped up its military operations around the Strait of Hormuz on October 29, in what appears to be an attempt to deter the United States and Israel.

In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force said its air defenses had shot down an MQ-1 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Sirik in southern Iran, using a new air defense system operating within the country’s integrated air defense network.

It described the interception as the 14th MQ-1 it had destroyed during the war and said it had also downed 54 MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Later, the Corps released footage showing the interception and destruction of several MQ-1 and MQ-9 drones in recent days.

In another announcement, the IRGC Navy said its electronic warfare unit had seized control of an American MQM-170 surveillance and decoy drone in the western Strait of Hormuz and landed it intact.

The force said the drone had been tasked with identifying Iranian air defense systems along the Persian Gulf coast and the strait. It also said recovered data indicated that the drone had taken off from the coast of a Gulf state, stopping short of naming it.

Despite the release of footage showing the seized drone, the U.S. Central Command denied the reported capture, with spokesman Tim Hawkins calling Iran’s account false.

The IRGC Navy also said three oil tankers had struck naval mines and caught fire over the preceding 24 hours while attempting to leave the strait through an unauthorized southern route.

In a statement, the Corps said the vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from Iranian forces before being abandoned off the southern coast of the waterway. The navy warned that unauthorized routes were mined and said vessel owners and crews would bear responsibility for using them.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center separately reported receiving information about a vessel on fire in the strait, but it did not establish whether that vessel was among the three cited by Iran.

The announcements came amid warnings that the U.S. and Israel could resume military strikes against Iran after the November 3 American midterm elections.

U.S. officials have privately urged regional allies to prepare for possible renewed attacks and Iranian retaliation against energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, according to diplomats cited by The Associated Press.

Taken together, Iran’s announcements appeared intended to raise the potential cost of renewed U.S.-Israeli military action. The Islamic Republic is clearly signaling that another campaign could threaten not only American military assets but also maritime traffic and regional energy supplies.

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Ukraine Forced Into Concessions Ahead Of Putin, Trump And Xi Summit

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Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher

A proposed trilateral meeting among Russian President Vladimir Putin, United States President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to address the concessions Ukraine will need to make to end the conflict, according to retired German Bundeswehr general Roland Kather. In an interview with a German television channel, Kather said the logical conclusion of the fighting is a diplomatic settlement reached through negotiations, and that Trump is dissatisfied with the unresolved situation and intends to push for an agreement.

The German general stressed that the summit will not be a casual discussion or merely an opportunity to “have coffee” and that they must prepare specific decisions in advance. He suggested that the three leaders will examine three core issues related to Ukraine: territorial problems that can be settled only at the heads-of-state level, Ukraine’s permanent neutral status, and the future size of its armed forces.

Kather expressed doubt that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to offer meaningful concessions. At the same time, he said Putin has no reason to retreat because Moscow still has the advantage.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has already said that preparations for a Putin-Trump-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit in China are underway. Trump has said the summit is needed mainly to discuss nuclear disarmament, though the Ukraine question is widely expected to feature.

The three leaders are discussing this issue among themselves, as Ukraine has nothing substantial left to offer Russia at the negotiating table. Moscow has also been clear about its ultimatum – demands met through a negotiated deal in which Ukraine cedes territory and accepts neutrality, or the military operation continues until Russia achieves its objectives on the battlefield. Since Trump has accepted that Ukraine no longer brings anything of value to negotiations but is still encouraged to fight by Brussels, he will directly negotiate with Putin and Xi to end the war.

Earlier this month, Putin signaled Russia’s readiness to resume trilateral talks on a Ukraine settlement focused on security guarantees and the future architecture of European security. Ushakov said such talks could resume after the US midterm elections on November 3.

Meanwhile, the EU is facing the consequences of years of confrontational policy. The newspaper La Verità noted that the EU’s intransigent stance toward Russia has left Brussels scrambling to secure a seat at the table with other powers, saying negotiation is a fundamental tool of political power and that when one actor stops talking to another, it lets others set the terms of peace. The Italian daily described this as the humiliating lesson the EU appears to have learned.

Since 2022, the EU has tightened economic sanctions, pursued Russia’s political isolation, and provided military support to Ukraine. Brussels is now considering appointing a senior representative to establish a direct channel with Moscow as it urgently seeks to restore dialogue with a government it had vowed never to normalize relations with. The main challenge is finding someone who can speak for the EU without being seen in Moscow as merely voicing hostility. Neither European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nor the majority of EU members are considered suitable, given their repeated criticisms of Russia.

European leaders continue to insist that no agreement on European security be reached without EU involvement. However, the EU’s influence has diminished because it long refused to keep channels open. Brussels has reportedly considered five possible mediators to contact Russia on a Ukraine peace deal: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Putin said former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder would be his preferred negotiator, adding that the Europeans should choose someone they trust who has not made harsh statements against Moscow.

The Russian military and political advantage narrows Ukraine’s chances of the Kremlin making concessions, a reality the EU stubbornly refuses to accept. At the same time, the EU’s scramble to find an acceptable negotiator highlights the economic and political damage that self-imposed isolation from Russia has caused. Without open communication channels and the ability to shift the balance of power, both Kiev and Brussels face an agreement largely shaped by Trump, Putin, and Xi.

Preparations for the trilateral summit within the APEC context, along with Russia’s stated readiness to resume talks after the US midterm elections, suggest that Kiev’s window to negotiate on a realistic basis and secure a better deal is closing. The capacity for the three Great Powers to set the agenda without Ukrainian participation further underlines how far the balance has shifted in Russia’s favor since the conflict began, despite Western sanctions.


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Unexploded Israeli ‘Spice’ Bomb Found Amid Wave of Blasts at Syrian Arms Depots (Videos)

Click to see full-size image. (Israeli Defense Forces)

Footage that surfaced online on October 28 appeared to show an unexploded Israeli-made SPICE 250 precision-guided munition found in Syria’s Deir Ezzor governorate, raising questions about possible Israeli strikes on military storage sites amid a series of mysterious explosions across the country.

The munition was found three days after a powerful explosion in the al-Bujama’a area of Deir Ezzor. Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported at the time that an old missile left over from the war had exploded after children lit a fire nearby and tampered with it. Footage posted to social networks, however, showed a large blast. No casualties were reported.

Another explosion rocked the outskirts of Saraqib in Idlib governorate the next day, October 26. Footage published online showed projectiles being hurled into the air uncontrollably as explosions continued across the site, with some objects resembling large rockets.

Local reports initially described the Saraqib site as an ammunition or weapons-storage facility. Al-Ikhbariya subsequently reported that Civil Defense teams had extinguished a fire following the destruction of old war remnants. The Idlib Media Directorate said there were no casualties. Notably, there was no advance public warning of the reported demolition.

The two recent explosions followed a series of deadly incidents at ammunition and weapons-storage sites across Syria. On September 1, an ammunition-laden vehicle exploded near Binnish in Idlib, killing five people. An explosion at a temporary weapons depot near Sarmada in the same governorate on September 9 killed 21 people. Later on September 18, a blast at an ammunition depot inside a Defense Ministry barracks near Ayyash in Deir Ezzor killed 11 ministry personnel and injured about 10 others.

Further explosions struck an weapons depot near al-Iss in Aleppo governorate on September 21, injuring four people, and the Taftanaz military air base in Idlib on October 2. The causes of the latter incident were not publicly established.

In an October 24 review, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights counted 37 deaths and around 27 injuries across five incidents involving weapons-storage sites since early September.

Reuters has separately recorded at least 16 explosions at Syrian arms-storage facilities since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The unexploded SPICE 250 provides the first physical evidence of recent covert Israeli military action against Syrian assets, adding a new dimension to the wave of explosions at weapons-storage facilities across the country.

The SPICE 250 is a compact precision-guided glide bomb with a stand-off range of up to 100 kilometers. Its ER variant adds a miniature turbojet engine, extending the advertised range to 150 kilometers. The munition’s low profile makes it especially suitable for covert strikes.

The discovery of the munition in Deir Ezzor, following the October 25 blast in the same governorate and the successive detonations near Saraqib in Idlib a day later, strengthens the picture of a sustained campaign against Syria’s military stockpiles.

Israel has conducted repeated strikes against weapons and military infrastructure in Syria for years, particularly against capabilities it considers a threat, and its military activity inside the country has not stopped with the fall of Assad.

The suspected attacks on ammunition depots fit within the broader logic of Israel’s longstanding campaign to prevent hostile military capabilities from taking root in Syria, sometimes described as a “war between the wars.”

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Russian Army Advances Towards Konka River in Zaporozhye

Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Zaporozhye direction the “Dnepr” grouping is advancing towards the Konka River line, while units of the “East” grouping have recorded a deep breakthrough between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa, creating a threat to Ukrainian logistics. In the Sumy direction Russian units of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the region, fighting near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia, Nikolskoye, Korenek and Turya. In the Kharkiv direction heavy fighting continues towards Kharkiv and on the Volchansk sector, where advances of up to 700 meters have been recorded. In the Slavyansk direction positional fighting persists around Rai-Aleksandrovka and Nikolayevka, with Ukrainian units being pushed out of Dibrova and the woodland near Ozyornoye. In the Kupyansk direction Russian forces have repelled a Ukrainian counter-offensive and are consolidating in the areas of Bolshaya Shapkovka, Polomarovka, Kovalevka and Sobolevka, preparing conditions for a further advance towards Monachinovka. Meanwhile the presidents of the Czech Republic and Finland, Petr Pavel and Alexander Stubb, discussed by telephone the development of a common European position on peace negotiations concerning Ukraine following Stubb’s and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s conversation with Vladimir Putin.

Sumy direction

Ukrainian units have not undertaken significant offensive action and have concentrated on defense. Elements of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade are being returned to the Sumy region. Electronic-warfare crews from the same brigade have also been redeployed to the area to strengthen counter-drone efforts.

Local reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have accumulated and partially relocated reserves near the Oleshnya River, thereby expanding the grey zone around Ivolzhanskoye. However, it is premature to speak of consolidation in the riverside area, as the Ukrainian side is relying mainly on small groups for movement.

In the Sumy district Russian assault troops advanced on ten sectors by up to 600 meters amid heavy fighting. In the Shostka district units of the “North” grouping continue to press towards Korenek. In the Krasnopolye district Russian assault groups are engaged in small-arms fighting near Turya.

Kharkiv direction

Activity around Tsupovka and Novaya Kazachya is gradually declining as the summer–autumn campaign draws towards its close. Russian units are attempting to capture and hold Novaya Kazachya, but Ukrainian forces, using Tsupovka as a base, are dislodging them with counter-attacks. Stabilisation will be possible at best if Novaya Kazachya can be taken and the line held. Ukrainian logistics, which rely on Kharkiv and the valley route through Dergachi to Slatino, remain more convenient in this sector.

Russian troops have driven Ukrainian units out of Alisovka in the Kharkiv region. The settlement lies directly on the E105 highway that previously linked Belgorod and Kharkiv. The capture of Alisovka has allowed an advance along the road and created a threat to Liptsy from the west.

On the Volchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors fierce fighting continues around Prikolotnoye. Total advances on four sectors over the past 24 hours reached up to 700 meters.

Near Velykyi Burluk the newly formed 50th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is suffering heavy losses. It was transferred to attempt a break-out from the encirclement in the north-east of Kharkiv region but has been unable to enter combat owing to catastrophic under-strength and losses inflicted by Russian aviation.

Zaporozhye direction

The “Dnepr” grouping is focused on reaching the Konka River line while simultaneously supporting the left flank of the “East” grouping in the encirclement and destruction of the Ukrainian grouping around Orekhov. Fighting continues in Primorskoye and in the Lukyanovskoye area. Heavy combat persists around Orekhov and Preobrazhenka. The front remains broadly stable: the Ukrainian side has transferred special-forces units that are holding the northern outskirts of Orekhov and most of Preobrazhenka. Relying on the network of underground communications and the defensive line constructed east of Orekhov in 2023, they are attempting to infiltrate flanks and rear areas and to insert small groups into Malaya Tokmachka.

Further east, in the sector of the “East” grouping, a breakthrough has been recorded between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa. Although still narrow, the penetration is already deep and is acquiring operational-tactical significance. The situation is gradually shifting in favor of Russian units. It is important not only to cut Druzhkovka from the west but also to establish drone positions on the heights west of the town in order to disrupt logistics more effectively, and to gain a foothold on the outskirts so that offensive operations can be conducted with greater prospects of success during the winter.

Slavyansk direction

The principal task remains the retention of positions secured during the summer–autumn campaign around Rai-Aleksandrovka and on the outskirts of Nikolayevka, together with the final clearance of Ukrainian units from Starodubovka. The expulsion of Ukrainian forces from Dibrova continues, while fighting persists in Ozyornoye and the adjacent woodland. Reports of the clearance of Ozyornoye should not be interpreted as final capture of the settlement; Ukrainian units retain a presence and continue to operate in small groups from the direction of Yampol. Further north, near Kolodezi, the intensity of clashes has somewhat decreased, although probing attacks against Russian defenses continue. In Krasny Liman itself the situation is more complex: fighting affects the urban area and the southern approaches, and Ukrainian forces still hold positions in several districts.

Kupyansk direction

Fighting is currently under way in the areas of Bolshaya Shapkovka, Polomarovka, Kovalevka and Sobolevka, where Russian presence is substantial. Consolidation is essential. If successful, operations can gradually begin to take Monachinovka, a large settlement, strongpoint and strategic road junction.

The capture of Monachinovka would create an immediate threat to Sredniy Burluk. South of it lies marshy lowland where logistics are extremely difficult. The main Ukrainian supply route to Velykyi Burluk runs through Pechenegi. If Sredniy Burluk can be taken, discussion of the operational encirclement of the Velykyi Burluk grouping becomes realistic. On the northern flank, around Dvurechnaya–Kutkovka, fighting continues for positions west of the Oskol.

In Kupyansk itself the main clashes remain concentrated in the urban area. Local successes have been recorded on the north-western approaches, but a continuous line of control within the city has not yet been established. Russian units retain a presence in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, and fighting continues near Kovsharovka and on the approaches to Kurilovka.

 

 

Conclusion

In the Sumy direction the capture of Alisovka and advances near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Korenek create conditions for further pressure on the border positions. In the Kharkiv direction Russian forces are driving Ukrainian units from their positions around Prikolotnoye and Velykyi Burluk while inflicting heavy losses on newly formed brigades. In the Zaporozhye direction the advance to the Konka River and the deep breakthrough between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa are forming the preconditions for the envelopment of the Orekhov grouping. In the Slavyansk direction the retention of key positions and the clearance of the Seversky Donets floodplain are reducing the threat to Russian logistics. In the Kupyansk direction the repulsion of the counter-offensive and consolidation on the western approaches open the prospect of an advance towards Monachinovka.

On the diplomatic track contacts on a settlement continue. The presidents of the Czech Republic and Finland, Petr Pavel and Alexander Stubb, discussed by telephone the development of a common European position on possible peace negotiations concerning Ukraine. On Tuesday Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The conversation held on October 29 between the Finnish president and the Norwegian prime minister with Vladimir Putin was discussed. Prospects for achieving a common European position on possible peace negotiations were also among the topics,” the official website of Prague Castle stated following the Wednesday telephone call between the Czech and Finnish presidents. Both presidents agreed on the need to continue negotiations involving all interested parties in various formats.

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Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes: Railway Infrastructure, Energy, Metallurgy, and Chemical Industry Targets Hit

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On the night of October 28, Russian forces carried out a combined strike against targets on Ukrainian territory. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack employed an Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile and 88 strike UAVs. The main emphasis was placed on logistics and energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Volyn, and other Regions. In parallel, Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone and cruise missile attacks against industrial targets on Russian territory, including the largest metallurgical combine and a chemical plant.

Strikes on Ukrainian Territory

Kharkiv Region

  • Logistics center in Kharkiv. According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the site was used to store military and dual-use cargo intended to supply Ukrainian troops.

  • Locomotive near the settlement of Ordovka.

Dnipropetrovsk Region

  • Pyatykhatky railway station, Kamianske district. Two consecutive Geran-4 UAV strikes during the day. The first strike set a rail trolley on fire, destroyed the driver’s cab, and damaged the overhead contact line and a grain car in a freight train; the second strike set an electric locomotive on fire.

  • Gas station in Shakhtarske.

Chernihiv Region

  • Energy infrastructure in Chernihiv. According to Ukrainian sources, about 210,000 subscribers were left without electricity, and roughly 90 percent of the city was de-energized. The specific target has not been identified.

Volyn Region

  • PS-330 Lutsk-Northern substation, Lutsk. According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the facility supplied power to military-industrial enterprises producing UAVs and components.

  • PS-330 substation, Kovel. A similar target; power outages were recorded in Kovel after the strike.

Kirovohrad Region

  • Railway facility in Znamianka.

Odesa Region

  • Bulk carrier underway toward the port of Chornomorsk. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the vessel was delivering cargo to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Reports also indicated strikes on targets in Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Kherson, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia Regions. A blackout was recorded in central Kyiv, with electricity absent in parts of the central districts.

Strikes on Russian Territory

According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, 531 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down overnight over Russian territory across 13 federal subjects.

Lipetsk Region

  • Novolipetsk Metallurgical Combine (NLMK), Lipetsk. The largest metallurgical enterprise in Russia, with a capacity of about 17 million metric tons of steel per year. According to Ukrainian sources, it was attacked with FP-5 cruise missiles; a fire was reported in the area of the combine. The governor of Lipetsk Region confirmed that UAV debris had fallen and vegetation had caught fire, while denying a “major fire at an industrial enterprise.” A total of 45 UAVs were shot down over the Region.

Tula Region

  • Azot chemical plant, Novomoskovsk. According to Ukrainian sources, the plant was attacked by UAVs, with the AM-70 ammonia production unit reportedly hit. Russian authorities confirmed the attack on the chemical plant and damage to residential buildings, without providing details about production capacity.

Kursk Region

  • Building housing servers for the regional healthcare system, Kursk. Damaged as a result of a UAV attack; disruptions to certain medical services are possible. Over the day, 168 UAVs were shot down over the Region, and three people were injured.

For the week of October 19–25, according to Russian data, attacks on civilian targets killed 50 civilians and injured 263.

On October 28, two opposing directions are evident: Russian strikes are concentrating on Ukrainian railway logistics, energy, and warehouse infrastructure, while Ukrainian drones are attacking large industrial sites deep inside Russia, including metallurgy in Lipetsk and chemical production in Novomoskovsk. The strikes on the substations in Lutsk and Kovel are of particular significance, as they point to an attempt to weaken the power supply to western Ukraine’s logistics and production capacity.


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Patriot Deployment Signals Growing Preparations for Possible Iran War

File image.

The United States military is moving an additional Patriot air-defense system from Texas to Israel as signs mount that Washington and Tel Aviv are preparing for possible renewed attacks on Iran after the American midterm elections on November 3.

The Wall Street Journal reported on October 28 that the transfer, identified through flight-tracking data and confirmed by two officials familiar with the movement, is intended to strengthen Israel’s missile defenses ahead of a potential new round of fighting.

The deployment comes amid broader U.S. military preparations. Washington has moved troops away from Middle Eastern bases considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation and is replenishing munitions, while bomber aircraft and fighter jets are being prepared for possible strikes, the Journal reported.

In addition, the U.S. has warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible short, intense military campaign against Iran after the elections.

President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to launch new attacks but is leaning toward a major post-election campaign that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with his thinking.

Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, a day earlier, Trump said, “You’ll see Iran in a couple of weeks, if you don’t mind,” without providing further details.

The White House declined to comment on “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist,” adding that “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

Meanwhile, regional mediators have continued efforts to revive negotiations with Tehran, although those efforts have yet to produce a breakthrough, the Journal reported.

A senior Iranian official involved in recent talks told Reuters on October 28 that Tehran had received only “unacceptable ideas and not an offer,” adding that Iran would show no flexibility on its nuclear program.

The central dispute over the terms and sequence of negotiations clearly persists. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program included from the outset, while Tehran says its conditions, including an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, must be met first. Given this, a return to fighting seems more than likely.

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Russia Tests Optical Navigation System to Help Drones Defeat Jamming

File image.

Russia has tested an autonomous navigation system designed to guide drones when satellite navigation signals and external communications are unavailable or jammed.

The system, called SOVA, or Comparative Optical Visual Authentication, was developed by VA Technologies and uses computer vision to compare images captured by an onboard camera with satellite maps, allowing a drone to determine its position in real time, the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies told TASS on October 28.

“The developer of the solution, VA Technologies, is a finalist in the third cohort of the CUST Special-and Dual-Use Projects Accelerator. The SOVA system is based on computer vision technology. During flight, the system compares images from an onboard camera with a satellite map of the terrain and determines the UAV’s [unmanned aerial vehicle] location in real time.

During testing, a drone equipped with the SOVA system completed a route that had no clear landmarks and included substantial differences between the satellite map and the actual terrain,” the company said.

The test drone followed a star-shaped route, visiting four waypoints before returning to its launch site. The test used satellite imagery from the spring of 2025 rather than an updated map, deliberately introducing discrepancies between the stored imagery and the actual terrain.

One section of the route highlighted the system’s ability to correct navigation errors when the landscape did not match the stored images.

“The second waypoint on the satellite map was located over dark plowed land, while the actual terrain featured a light-colored field covered with stubble. With no landmarks to guide it, the UAV deviated from its course. However, upon reaching a tree line, the SOVA system promptly corrected its course and successfully reached the third waypoint,” the company said.

The center said the developer estimates that SOVA could substantially improve mission reliability when satellite navigation is unavailable.

“According to the developer, in the absence of GPS, SOVA is capable of increasing the UAV mission reliability rate to 99%,” the CUST noted.

The tests come as Russia has begun incorporating similar optical-navigation technology into its one-way attack drones used against Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate said earlier in the month that Russia had equipped its upgraded Geran-4 jet-powered attack drones with a system called Susanin, which uses an optical sensor to compare images of the terrain with reference images stored in the drone’s computer. A similar system was identified on the K5 variant of the Geran-5.

Ukrainian drone analyst Serhii Beskrestnov has also told Business Insider that comparable systems were already being used on smaller Molniya, V2U and Lancet drones.

The rapid development and deployment of such systems reflects a broader Russian effort to make drones more resilient to electronic warfare, which has become a central feature of the conflict in Ukraine.

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Military Situation In Yemen On October 28, 2026 (Map Update)

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  • Saudi Arabia said on October 27 that its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting four drones heading toward southern Saudi Arabia;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced south of Taiz city, capturing several hills;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced in the Kahbub area in the Lahij province;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) attacked Saudi positions in the cities of Jeddah and Yanbu with a number of cruise missiles and suicide drones;
  • Explosions were reported in Aden on October 28 after Ansar Allah called for the evacuation of Aden Airport, alleging that a Saudi military cargo aircraft carrying weapons was present at the facility.

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Putin Says Russia Is in Touch With Starlink’s Founder While Building Its Own Rival

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 28 that Russia remains in contact with Elon Musk over satellite constellations, praising the SpaceX founder as a “genius” while touting Moscow’s efforts to build its own satellite internet network to rival Starlink.

“We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr. Musk,” Putin said during a visit to an exhibition held alongside the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.

Putin further noted that cooperation was important to prevent satellites from interfering with one another despite political disagreements between the two countries.

“Musk is a genius, truly a genius,” Putin said. “How many spacecraft does he have in orbit? More than 5,000. And we are only taking our first steps.”

Russia’s homegrown satellite internet project, called Rassvet, is being developed by Bureau 1440, a subsidiary of Russian technology group IKS Holding.

Bureau 1440 is building a low-Earth-orbit constellation designed to provide broadband internet access, with commercial service planned for 2027. Russia has launched more than 30 Rassvet satellites, although the network remains at an early stage of deployment.

Putin said Russia was proud to have begun developing the system independently and emphasized the need for coordination in space.

“On orbit, it is very important not to interfere with one another, to observe a certain discipline and order,” he said, adding that Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and other companies were working closely with their American counterparts.

Putin’s remarks highlighted continued contacts on satellite constellations despite political tensions between Moscow and Washington.

The Russian project has a certain military significance. Ukraine’s military intelligence told the defense publication Janes in September that Russian forces had used the first group of Rassvet satellites for communications over Ukraine for several hours in July. The agency warned that a larger constellation could support real-time data transmission and the operation of reconnaissance and strike drones.

SpaceX’s Starlink network has become a major provider of satellite broadband worldwide, including for Ukrainian military communications during the conflict.

Developing an independent system would give Moscow an alternative for satellite connectivity and reduce its reliance on foreign communications infrastructure.

It’s worth noting that Musk recently faced accusations of restricting the service for Ukrainian forces, while he said the limits followed violations of Starlink’s terms by Kyiv, which he accused of using the civilian network for offensive drone strikes against Russia.

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Military Situation In Iran On October 28, 2026 (Map Update)

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  • On October 27, an oil tanker caught fire after striking naval mines east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Navy;
  • Washington has reportedly urged Gulf Arab states to prepare for a possible renewed military campaign against Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.

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Houthi Missiles Slam Aden Airport as Saudi Cargo Plane Escapes (Video)

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Yemen’s Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, struck Aden International Airport twice on October 28, after ordering the evacuation of the facility over the presence of a Saudi military cargo plane carrying weapons.

A missile fell inside the airport perimeter shortly before the evacuation warning, a local police source told Agence France-Presse.

A Saudi military aircraft was at the airport when the missile struck, but was not hit and took off shortly afterward, the source said, adding that a second missile later targeted an area under Saudi forces’ control inside the airport perimeter.

“Our armed forces call on those present at Aden airport to immediately evacuate due to the presence of a military cargo plane belonging to the Saudi enemy transporting weapons to kill the sons of the Yemeni people,” Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement shortly before the strike.

Video footage that surfaced online after the strike revealed that the runway received at least one direct hit that caused serious damage.

The attack marks another strike near a key gateway to southern Yemen amid a sharp escalation in fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces.

The airport has been targeted repeatedly in recent weeks, including an October 16 attack in which two missiles landed inside its perimeter.

The Houthis have been steadily extending their control around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and the key city of Taiz. Against that backdrop, the recent strikes on Aden may be part of the group’s preparations for a large-scale offensive against the port city in the near future.

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Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 28, 2026 (Maps Update)

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  • Russian strikes hit targets in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Chernihiv regions, and the DPR;
  • According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile and 88 strike UAVs;
  • Russian forces struck an electronics manufacturing plant (NTU Ukrspeccommunication LLC) in the Kharkiv region;
  • Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,160 personnel over the past 24 hours.

Click to see the full-size image

  • Russian forces took control of Barilovka in the Sumy region.

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  • Russian forces took control of Alisovka in the Kharkiv region.

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  • During the past night, Russian air defenses destroyed 531 Ukrainian drones in the rear regions;
  • Russian air defenses intercepted UAVs in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, and Tula regions, and in the Moscow region;
  • Ukrainian drones targeted a building housing servers for the regional healthcare system in Kursk;
  • Ukrainian forces attacked the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant in Lipetsk;
  • Ukrainian forces attacked the Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk and targeted multi-story and private houses and infrastructure in the industrial zone of the Tula region;
  • In the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), four civilians were killed and eight injured over the past 24 hours.

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