Ukraine retrieves bodies of 501 fallen soldiers

Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 501 soldiers who lost their lives fighting against Russia, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported on October 18. The Geneva Conventions guarantee that individuals who perish in war are entitled to a dignified burial. As of early March, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that Ukraine had identified over 2,800 bodies and body fragments of fallen soldiers.

The headquarters reported that 489 of the recovered bodies were retrieved from Donetsk Oblast, seven from Luhansk Oblast, and four from Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Additionally, one body was returned from a morgue in Russia. The headquarters emphasized that once the identification process is complete, the soldiers' remains will be returned to their families for honorable burials.

This repatriation effort was conducted in cooperation with several Ukrainian government and military institutions, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and the Armed Forces. President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously disclosed in February that approximately 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

It is dangerous to introduce mobilisation from age of 18 today – Ukraine's President Zelenskyy

In an interview on Ukraine’s national 24/7 newscast, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the topic of military mobilisation, stating that it is currently "dangerous" to lower the conscription age to 18.

Zelenskyy noted that while some international partners are pushing for a reduction in the mobilisation age, Ukraine maintains its policy of starting mandatory military service at 25. He emphasized that the government does not see a need for this change at the moment.

The president also pointed out that young individuals under 25 can still voluntarily enlist by signing contracts with the Ministry of Defence, reinforcing that the country is not planning to introduce compulsory mobilisation for 18-year-olds.

Putin says Russia will not allow Ukraine to create nuclear weapons

During a meeting with media representatives from BRICS countries, Russian leader Vladimir Putin dismissed the notion of Ukraine developing nuclear weapons as a provocation, warning that any such move would "entail a corresponding reaction."

Putin, as quoted by Interfax and Russian state media RIA Novosti, acknowledged that producing nuclear weapons is not particularly difficult in today’s world. However, he expressed doubts about Ukraine’s current capacity to pursue such a project, given the challenges it faces.

The Russian president characterized the speculation as dangerous and emphasized that Russia would perceive it as a significant threat. He added that Russia would not allow the development of nuclear weapons by Ukraine under any circumstances.

Budanov says close to 11,000 North Korean troops in Russia, will be 'ready to fight' in Ukraine by Nov. 1

Close to 11,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and will reportedly be "ready to fight" in Ukraine by Nov. 1, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, as quoted by The War Zone on Oct. 17. The first deployment, consisting of 2,600 soldiers, will be stationed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine began a cross-border incursion in August and still controls significant territory. These troops are expected to use Russian equipment and ammunition, though further specifics remain unclear. "We don't have the full picture right now," Budanov admitted.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference in Brussels on Oct. 17, stated that Russia plans to deploy North Korean infantry and specialists across various military sectors. "We know about 10,000 soldiers from North Korea they are preparing to send to fight against us," Zelenskyy said, echoing concerns shared by a Western diplomat who confirmed Pyongyang had already sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia. The Kyiv Independent reached out to the President’s Office for clarification on the discrepancy between Budanov and Zelenskyy’s figures, but no response had been received by the time of publication. Additionally, intelligence suggests that some North Korean officers are already active within Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on Oct. 18 that Pyongyang recently decided to deploy 12,000 troops, including special forces, to assist Russia. However, the NIS did not specify if the soldiers had already arrived or where they would be stationed. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, addressing these developments, said on Oct. 17 that the U.S. could not confirm the presence of North Korean troops in Russia but emphasized that they are monitoring the situation closely. Ryder added that if confirmed, the reports would highlight Russia's desperation and the challenges it faces in replenishing its battlefield forces.