As the Russo-Ukrainian war enters its 244th day, let’s take a look at the main developments.
This is the current situation on Tuesday, October 25.
Conflict
- Opposed by Western countries, Russia doubled down on its claim that Kyiv ready to use a “dirty bomb” in Ukraine on Tuesday.
- Russia asked people in the occupied city of Kherson to flee as many residents joined the exodus to escape an expected Ukrainian counterattack. Russia says its forces have thwarted Ukraine’s attempt to cross the line of its control.
- The Russian-installed authorities in the Kherson region announced they were forming a militia, saying that all remaining men in the city could join.
- An October 21-23 poll conducted after two weeks of heavy Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities showed a majority of Ukrainians in favor of continuing armed resistance against Moscow.
Diplomatic
- Diplomats say Russia plans to bring charges at the United Nations Security Council that Ukraine is planning a “dirty bomb” attack. Russia has also contacted several Western countries about their suspicions.
- Britain, France and the United States said they were committed to helping Ukraine “as long as possible” and dismissed Russia’s warning of a “dirty bomb”.
- A US military official told reporters that the US has no indication that Russia has decided to use nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.
- Iran condemns Britain, France and Germany’s call for the United Nations to investigate Russia’s use of attack drones originating from Iran.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Israel to join the war against Russia and repeated his demand for Israeli air defense systems.
- Thirty liberal Democratic members of the US Congress have urged President Joe Biden to change his strategy for Russo-Ukrainian War by pursuing a negotiated agreement.
Economy
- A UN spokesman said “more needs to be done” to resolve a backlog of more than 150 ships linked to the grain export deal in the Black Sea and Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations are all acknowledge this problem.
- Ukraine says seven ships departing from its ports are loaded with grain for Asia and Europe, but accuses Russia of preventing the full implementation of the Black Sea deal.
- The World Bank said it has disbursed an additional $500 million to help Ukraine meet emergency spending needs caused by the war.
