Zelensky won’t sign bill to end daylight saving time

President Volodymyr Zelensky does not plan to sign a bill abolishing seasonal daylight saving time in Ukraine, BBC Ukraine reported on Oct. 24, citing anonymous sources.

The bill, passed by Parliament on July 16 and signed by parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, would have made Oct. 27, 2024, the last time Ukrainians set their clocks back, ending the practice of daylight saving time.

Despite this, sources within Zelensky's team and the parliamentary presidential faction confirmed that the bill will not be signed. It will neither be vetoed nor enacted, with government estimates suggesting the change would lead to financial losses amounting to "several billion hryvnias."

The use of daylight saving time, common in Europe and North America, remains a subject of debate. While the European Parliament voted to end the practice in 2021, no final decision has been made, and many countries still follow the system. Ukrainian lawmakers promoted the bill as aligning with EU integration efforts.

Russian attack on Kupiansk killed one person, injured at least 11

One person was killed and at least 11 others injured following a Russian airstrike on the town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on Oct. 24, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

The attack hit near a shop and local market, partially destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging 12 stalls. Among the injured were eight women and three men, while a 73-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries.

Kupiansk, a strategic city in Kharkiv Oblast, has been under heavy Russian attacks in recent months following intensified assault attempts in the region. The city was previously occupied by Russian forces in 2022.

First North Korean troops arrive in Russia's Kursk Oblast

The first North Korean military units trained in eastern Russia have arrived in the war zone, specifically in Russia's Kursk Oblast, on Oct. 23, according to Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU). These troops had undergone training at five military sites in eastern Russia, including Baranovsky, Donguz, Yekaterinoslavsky, and two others.

Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, have been deployed to Russia, with several weeks of additional training planned. Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been tasked with overseeing their training and integration for use in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Putin comments for the first time on the presence of North Korean units in the war in Ukraine

For the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine.

During a press conference at the BRICS summit in Kazan, a journalist from NBC questioned Putin about satellite images showing North Korean military presence in Russia and whether this indicated an escalation of the conflict.

Putin deflected, claiming it was not Russia's actions but Western countries aiding Ukraine that led to the escalation. He referenced the "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement between Russia and North Korea, ratified by the State Duma, which includes provisions for mutual assistance in case of aggression.

"We will see how this process develops," Putin said.