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Russian authorities is implementing a psychological influence operation of intimidations to prevent the US from providing long-range missiles to Ukraine, based on analysis from conflict researchers. A senior official stated: “We understand these weapons thoroughly, their operational characteristics, methods to intercept them, we tested against them in Syria, so it presents no surprises. Only those who supply them and the deploying forces will have problems … We will find ways to hurt those who create problems for us.”

Ukrainian Military Push Situation

Ukraine's military were inflicting heavy losses in a counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine, the central battlefield, Ukraine's leader stated on Wednesday. Kyiv's report, following a report by his senior military officer, contradicted Moscow's speech before senior Russian officers a prior day in which he said Moscow's forces possessed the strategic initiative in all frontline sectors.

According to analysis from early October, defense researchers said Russia was incurring heavy casualty rates, mainly because of drone strikes by Ukraine, in exchange for minor territorial gains. Defending units, the president stated, were “maintaining our defense along multiple fronts”, referring specifically to northeastern Kupiansk, a heavily damaged city in the northeastern front under sustained offensive operations for several months.

Local Situations

Local authorities in Ukraine's southern region of the Kherson oblast said offensive operations on Wednesday resulted in three fatalities in and around the city of the oblast center. Local authorities of Sumy region, on the northern border with the Russian Federation, said three fatalities occurred in Russian drone attacks in various areas. Ukraine's air force said it neutralized or disrupted the majority of attack and decoy UAVs during the night.

An offensive strike seriously damaged one of Ukraine's thermal power plants, government sources stated on midweek. Two workers were harmed during the strike, according to industry sources. Sources gave limited details, regarding the site's whereabouts, but national sources said Russia struck critical utilities in the Chernihiv region, southern Kherson and the Dnipropetrovsk area.

Humanitarian Effects

In the border community of northeastern Ukraine, significantly damaged by the military campaign against the energy infrastructure, officials have put up tents where people can seek warmth, drink hot tea, maintain communication capability and obtain emotional assistance, based on information from administrative leader.

Global Response

Kyiv's representative to Nato on Wednesday encouraged NATO members to increase acquisitions of American military equipment for Ukrainian forces. “The situation isn't that we prefer American weapons rather than European or alternative military systems – the issue is that we are requesting the America for weapons which European nations can't provide,” said the diplomatic representative.

Germany's national police will immediately gain permission to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles, interior minister said on midweek, after a spate of unmanned aircraft incidents believed to be Russian efforts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the official said law enforcement would receive permission “to take state-of-the-art technical action against UAV risks, such as EMP technology, signal disruption, GPS interference, but also with kinetic methods”.

European Defense Issues

European leader stated on midweek that EU nations need to ramp up its protective capabilities to respond to Moscow's multifaceted attacks after airspace breaches, cyber-attacks and marine communications interference. “These aren't isolated incidents. It is a coherent and escalating campaign,” the leader said in a speech to the European lawmakers. “Two incidents are isolated incidents, but multiple, repeated, numerous – this constitutes a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against the European Union, and European countries should answer.”

Humanitarian Situation

The Swiss authorities has continued its protection status granted to people fleeing Ukraine to at least 4 March 2027. Protection status S, which allows people to leave the country as well as be employed in Switzerland, is generally limited to one year but can be extended. “The decision demonstrates the ongoing dangerous conditions and ongoing military actions across large parts of Ukraine,” said a Swiss government statement. “Regardless of international peace efforts, a permanent peace that would allow for safe return is not anticipated in the coming years.”