Ukrainian Forces Report Retaking 101 Square Kilometres in Donetsk Region

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps announced on 15 October, day 1,695 of the war, that it had retaken a further 101 square kilometres of territory as part of an operation codenamed Vivaldi. According to the corps, three settlements were liberated: Zelena Dolyna, Lypove and Kolodets. Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky reported this, as cited by RBC-Ukraine.

Since the operation began, Ukrainian troops say they have restored full control over 16 settlements and 277 square kilometres.

Attack on the Kirovohrad region

Overnight into Thursday, Russian forces attacked the Kirovohrad region and its administrative centre, Kropyvnytskyi. Andriy Raikovych, head of the regional military administration, said three people were killed and six more injured. He said the targets included logistics, transport and industrial facilities. According to preliminary Ukrainian Air Force data, Russia used both standard and jet-powered drones.

British support

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London on 14 October, the United Kingdom confirmed it would speed up the delivery of several thousand missiles. The package covers five thousand Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) over four years, with £1.6 billion allocated. They are meant to help Ukraine shoot down jet-powered drones. Britain also announced £45 million for air-defence missiles and £17 million to repair the protective structure at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Starlink restrictions

A senior US official told Axios that Washington had no part in limiting Starlink operations in Ukraine. Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the connection had improved, but only for devices moving at up to about 161 km/h.

French politics

Marine Le Pen, a candidate in France's presidential election, said France can no longer finance Ukraine because of the state of its budget. Her far-right National Rally party leads in polls ahead of the vote in April next year.