1.5 million Ukrainian children are at risk of being deported to Russia

Approximately 1.5 million Ukrainian children in Russian-occupied territories are at high risk of being deported to Russia, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Oct. 2. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has already abducted over 20,000 children, with fewer than 400 returned, according to the Children of War database.

Lubinets highlighted that the abducted children's personal data is altered to prevent relatives from locating and rescuing them. Many are sent to "re-education camps" where they are subjected to Russian propaganda, forcing them to renounce their Ukrainian identity.

Children from homes in Kherson Oblast were first moved to occupied territories, then illegally deported to Russia, with some being adopted by Russian families. Lubinets emphasized that Russia is deliberately obstructing efforts to return these children.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children—a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime under international law.

Ukrainian forces withdraw from Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Vuhledar, a key town in Donetsk Oblast, as of Oct. 2, according to the Khortytsia group of forces. The withdrawal was authorized by higher command to preserve personnel and equipment, allowing Ukraine to regroup for future operations.

For nearly two years, the 72nd Mechanized Brigade defended Vuhledar against persistent Russian attempts to capture the town. Recent heavy attacks by Russian forces, aiming to encircle the town, strained Ukrainian defenses. On Oct. 1, local authorities confirmed Russian troops had entered Vuhledar, with ongoing fighting reported.

Vuhledar is strategically located near key roads, serving as a critical logistical point for Ukraine's defense of southern Donetsk Oblast. Its fall could complicate Ukraine's control over nearby areas, including the vital T-0509 highway, which Russian forces rely on for their westward advance.

Russia attacked ports in Odessa oblast with drones, causing fire, damaging border crossing point and wounding people

On the morning of Oct. 2, Russian forces launched an attack using drones on port and border infrastructure in the Izmail district of Odesa Oblast, injuring two truck drivers, including a Turkish citizen. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that the attack caused a fire, which damaged the Orlivka border crossing point. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, limiting further damage.

Oleh Kiper, the Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, shared the details of the attack via Telegram.

589 civilians were killed in Ukraine in the summer of 2024 by Russia's war - UN report

Between June 1 and Aug. 31, at least 589 Ukrainian civilians were killed, and 2,685 were injured, according to an Oct. 1 report by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The summer's civilian casualties rose by 45% compared to the spring.

The fatalities included 324 men, 238 women, 14 girls, and 13 boys, while the injured comprised 1,353 men, 1,155 women, 104 boys, and 73 girls. July 2024 marked the deadliest month for civilians since October 2022, largely due to a massive Russian missile attack on July 8, which killed 44 people and injured 196.

Russia’s continued efforts to control Donetsk Oblast also contributed significantly to civilian casualties. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, over 10,582 civilians, including 587 children, have been killed, and nearly 20,000 injured, as verified by the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). These numbers likely underestimate the true toll due to restricted access in occupied areas.