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Moscow is implementing a “reflexive control” campaign of intimidations to prevent the America from delivering precision-guided weapons to Ukraine, according to military analysts. An influential legislator stated: “We know these projectiles completely, their flight patterns, defensive countermeasures, we worked on them in Syria, so it presents no surprises. Those delivering them and the deploying forces will face consequences … We will identify methods to damage those who oppose our interests.”

Kyiv's Counteroffensive Progress

Kyiv's troops were imposing substantial damage in a counteroffensive in the Donetsk front, the war's main theatre, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on midweek. Zelenskyy's assessment, based on a report by his senior military officer, contradicted the Russian president's speech before senior Russian officers a prior day in which he claimed Moscow's forces held the operational control in all frontline sectors.

Based on evaluation dated early October, military analysts said Russia was suffering significant losses, particularly from drone strikes by Ukraine, in return for limited tactical advances. Defending units, Zelenskyy said, were “defending ourselves along various sectors”, mentioning particularly the Kupiansk area, a largely destroyed city in Ukraine's northeast under intense attacks for an extended period.

Local Situations

Local authorities in the Kherson area of Kherson said Russian attacks on midweek resulted in three fatalities in and around the regional capital of the same name. Local authorities of the Sumy oblast, on the northern border with Russia, said three fatalities occurred in UAV assaults in different districts. Ukraine's air force said it neutralized or disrupted the majority of offensive unmanned aircraft during the night.

A Russian attack substantially impacted critical infrastructure, government sources stated on Wednesday. Facility personnel were injured in the attack, based on information from industry sources. Sources gave minimal specifics, including the site's whereabouts, but Ukrainian authorities said Russia struck energy infrastructure in northern Ukraine, the Kherson area and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Humanitarian Effects

In the border community of northeastern Ukraine, hit hard by the offensive operations against the energy infrastructure, authorities have put up tents where people can warm up, drink hot tea, maintain communication capability and obtain emotional assistance, as reported by administrative leader.

Diplomatic Reactions

The Ukrainian diplomat to the military alliance on Wednesday called on European partners to step up purchases of American military equipment for Kyiv. “This doesn't mean we favor American weapons instead of European or other international equipment – the issue is that we are requesting the US for equipment that European countries are unable to supply,” said the diplomatic representative.

German federal police will soon be allowed to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles, interior minister announced on Wednesday, after a spate of unmanned aircraft incidents believed to be Moscow's attempts to gather intelligence and deter. Announcing legal changes, the official said police would be authorized “to employ advanced technological measures against drone threats, such as electromagnetic pulses, signal disruption, GPS interference, but also with physical means”.

EU Security Challenges

European leader said on midweek that the European Union should strengthen its security measures to respond to Moscow's multifaceted attacks following air incursions, computer network operations and submarine infrastructure disruption. “This doesn't represent isolated incidents. They constitute a systematic and intensifying operation,” the official said in a address before the EU legislative body. “A couple of events are coincidence, but multiple, repeated, numerous – this is a intentional and focused ambiguous warfare operation against Europe, and the EU needs to react.”

Humanitarian Status

The Swiss government has extended its temporary shelter provided to Ukrainian refugees to at least 4 March 2027. Humanitarian status, which enables individuals to leave the country as well as be employed in Switzerland, is typically restricted to one year but can be renewed. “This determination demonstrates the ongoing unstable environment and ongoing military actions across large parts of Ukraine,” said a federal announcement. “Notwithstanding global diplomatic initiatives, a permanent peace that would enable secure repatriation is not expected in the coming years.”