Ukraine repelled 48 attacks as Russia assaults across east

Ukrainian forces repelled 48 Russian attacks in various sectors of the eastern front, including areas around Avdiivka, Kupiansk, Bakhmut, and Marinka, over the past day, according to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces. The situation remains intense around Avdiivka, where 10 attacks were repelled. Russian forces also attempted to reclaim lost positions near Klischiivka and Andriivka in the Bakhmut sector, but all six attacks were repelled. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted three out of four Iskander cruise missiles launched by Russia at Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, preventing the remaining missile from reaching its target. Additionally, Russian forces attacked a residential area in Kherson, injuring a man and causing a blackout for 2,000 residents. Nikopol and Chervonohryhorivka communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast were also targeted by Russian forces.

Is Ukraine’s new Black Sea corridor working? Experts say it has potential

The reports about the suspension of Ukraine's temporary grain corridor in the Black Sea were initially perplexing and sparked concern. However, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, quickly denied the reports and stated that the information regarding the cancellation or unscheduled stoppage of the corridor was false. The suspension of the new corridor could have had negative consequences for Ukraine's agricultural sector, especially after the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Ukraine set up its own trade route in August to move food exports out of its Black Sea ports near Odesa, despite Russian threats. While the new corridor exports lower volumes than the previous initiative, experts suggest it may be gaining traction.

As of late October, Ukraine has managed to export nearly 700,000 metric tons of grain through the temporary corridor. While this is a positive start, it's a fraction of the more than 30 million metric tons of food commodities that were exported under the previous grain initiative. Before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine was shipping up to six million tons of grain monthly from its Black Sea ports.

The temporary corridor has already been used by 62 vessels, and 37 vessels have carried over 1.3 million metric tons of goods, including agricultural and metal products, from the ports of Odesa since its inception on September 16. The corridor has become a lifeline for Ukrainian farmers trying to export their products despite the ongoing conflict.

While there are concerns about potential threats to vessels coming and going from Ukraine's ports, the steady flow of ships using the corridor is encouraging and helps reassure shipowners interested in using this route.

Russian attack on Kherson Oblast injured civilian

A 46-year-old man was critically injured by a Russian artillery strike in southern Kherson Oblast. The man suffered a shrapnel wound to his head and has a fractured skull. He was outside when the attack occurred in the village of Novoberyslav, located across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied Kakhovka, roughly 80 kilometers northeast of Kherson. Russian attacks in the area have continued, putting the remaining civilians at severe risk. Kherson Oblast in Ukraine's south has seen deadly attacks by Russian forces, with one of the deadliest incidents occurring on May 3, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

9 bodies of adults and children found in occupied Volnovakha, Russian soldier suspected of murder

Nine civilians, including a family with two children, were found shot dead in Russian-occupied Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast. Russian "law enforcement agencies" reported the discovery of the bodies with gunshot wounds in a private house. Local sources suggest that a Russian soldier committed the murders following an argument with a family member. Relatives of the victims revealed that the family and five others were killed in the house on October 27, which was a family member's birthday. There are reports of a dispute between one of the victims, Andrii Kapkanets, and individuals associated with Kadyrovites, Chechen mercenaries who support Ramzan Kadyrov. These individuals sought revenge by targeting the family during their celebration.

Coalition to help bring back children abducted by Russia is proposed at meeting in Malta

During the third meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors in Malta, a proposal was made to form an international coalition of countries to help Ukraine bring back children who have been deported or forcibly displaced from temporarily occupied territories by Russia. The initiative was put forth by the Canadian delegation and received support from many participating countries. This proposal aligns with President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, specifically addressing the return of deported children, the release of civilian hostages, and prisoners of war. The mass deportation and targeted abduction of Ukrainian children for Russification is seen as part of Russia's planned genocidal policy. Additionally, there are thousands of Ukrainian servicemen held in Russian captivity, and Russia has not granted access to international organizations to monitor their conditions. The meeting in Malta also focused on topics related to nuclear, food, and power security, as well as the liberation of prisoners of war and deported persons, and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Over 65 countries participated in the meeting, including Armenia, which attended for the first time.