ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 28, 2026
War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on October 28, 2026.
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War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on October 28, 2026.
A new investigation by The Hague-based Global Rights Compliance (GRC) has exposed a Russian recruitment network that places North Korean workers in factories supporting Moscow’s war against Ukraine, circumventing UN sanctions through student visas. Investigators documented coercive working conditions, the involvement of North Korean officials and the diversion of workers’ earnings to Pyongyang.
The findings reveal how Russia’s war economy and North Korea’s weapons financing have become increasingly intertwined.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposed energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia never took effect because Moscow continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, he welcomed initial progress under a separate US-brokered humanitarian truce in Russian-occupied Oleshky, saying even a few days without major attacks could help civilians and evacuation efforts.
He also discussed upcoming trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi and the possibility of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A new investigation by The Hague-based Global Rights Compliance (GRC) has exposed a Russian recruitment network that places North Korean workers in factories supporting Moscow’s war against Ukraine, circumventing UN sanctions through student visas. Investigators documented coercive working conditions, the involvement of North Korean officials and the diversion of workers’ earnings to Pyongyang.
The findings reveal how Russia’s war economy and North Korea’s weapons financing have become increasingly intertwined.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that he hoped that a trilateral meeting between peace negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States would take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and November 10. Zelenskyy said that Kyiv wanted Europe to be involved in the talks on how to end the war, adding that unity and stronger pressure on Russia were needed.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifying the strain on state finances, President Vladimir Putin is reaching for cash to fund his government and the war, squeezing tax revenue from an economy that’s increasingly skewed toward the military — while civilian needs take a back seat
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten rejected proposals to restore Russian gas supplies to Europe as part of a potential Ukraine peace settlement, calling the idea “very stupid.” His remarks followed reports that US negotiators were exploring economic deals with Moscow, including renewed energy cooperation. Jetten urged Washington and European governments to tighten sanctions rather than offer Russia economic concessions.
Chancellor John Healey kicked off his first Budget by getting his excuses in first. The wars in the Gulf and Ukraine, he began, were creating global storms which could knock the UK economy for six.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as a “genius” on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and said Moscow maintains close contact with the American billionaire as Russia develops its own satellite internet network. His remarks come days after Ukraine reported disruptions to Starlink and Starshield services critical to its military operations.
Stay informed with the most important Ukraine breaking news today. This page compiles the top headlines and critical updates from across Ukraine, offering a real-time snapshot of key developments. Whether it’s military updates, political changes, or international reactions — we bring you the latest Ukraine news as it happens.
All reports are carefully curated from verified sources and KyivPost correspondents on the ground.
No reported incidents in 30 hours in the occupied Ukrainian city. What we know on day 1,709A local ceasefire in southern Ukraine was holding for a second day, both sides said on Wednesday, as hopes grew that vital aid would be able to reach stranded residents.
An estimated 2,000 people remain in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region amid food and medical shortages and reports many people are now starving and eating weeds. The human rights ombudsmen of both Russia and Ukraine said on Wednesday the US-brokered truce – which came into effect early on Tuesday morning – was still holding.
“30 hours of the ceasefire in Oleshky have passed without a single incident,” Ukraine’s Dmytro Lubinets said. “No incidents have been recorded in the 30 hours of the ceasefire in Oleshky,” Russia’s Yana Lantratova said in a similarly worded statement. The ceasefire would be guaranteed by “the physical presence of both ombudsmen: Ukrainian and Russian” on the ground, Lubinets’s office said.
Route demining was “currently under way”, Lubinets said on social media, describing it as “crucial step toward ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and enabling civilians who wish to leave the city”.Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that since the ceasefire came into force, there had been “no massive attacks” on the regional capital of Kherson, where about 280,000 people lived before Russia’s invasion.
“We’re happy even when we have two, three days for these people. You know, some ceasefire is great, you can see them in the streets,” the Ukrainian president told reporters in The Hague. The truce would be a “huge success” if the evacuation of Oleshky’s citizens went ahead as planned, he said.The timing of the next round of three-way talks on a settlement of the Ukraine conflict is linked to the conflict in the Middle East, a Kremlin foreign policy aide has said, casting doubt on whether the talks will take place next month as initially proposed.
Yuri Ushakov, quoted by Russian news agencies, said Moscow had not yet proposed a specific date for the talks. “It will also depend on the situation on the battlefield and the situation in general. You can see the situation now in the Middle East. It just doesn’t allow us to hold it in the near future.
That’s my assumption,” he told journalists on Wednesday. Zelenskyy said on Wednesday he hoped a meeting would take place in Abu Dhabi between 6 and 10 November.Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk’s “genius” and said he was in touch with Starlink’s controlling shareholder as Russia develops its own satellite communications for its military to use against Ukraine, reports Dan Sabbagh.
The Russian president, speaking at a summit with African leaders in Moscow, was comparing the Earth-orbiting network built by Musk’s SpaceX with Russia’s gradual efforts to build its own Rassvet constellation. “Elon Musk is a genius, a true genius,” the Tass news agency quoted the Russian leader as saying.The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with €500m ($557m/£$418m) in military support this winter, the Dutch prime minister said.
The support would be used to supply drones and other material to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, Rob Jetten said after meeting Zelenskyy in The Hague. Earlier on Wednesday, the Dutch government announced it would give Kyiv €1.2bn in non-military support in the next three years. Part of the money would be used for funds that supported Dutch companies willing to invest in the rebuilding of Ukraine.Russian authorities have issued permits for vessels carrying grain for export to leave the Sea of Azov for the first time since 10 July, when they closed maritime traffic in the area due to Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters quoted seven industry sources as saying.
They said permits to pass through the Kerch Strait, which links the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, would be issued for the period to 15 November. Continue reading...
A US team is expected to lead the summit in Abu Dhabi, in what would be the first face-to-face negotiations since the American president lifted sanctions on Moscow.
With the money spent on the war, Russia could have built 1,000 new schools and 200 hospitals, and granted 1 million rubles to every child born since the start of the full-scale invasion.
MOSCOW, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The timing of the next round of three-way talks on a settlement of the Ukraine conflict is linked to the conflict in the Middle East, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying on Wednesday, casting doubt on whether the talks will take place next month as initially proposed.Ushakov, quoted by Russian news agencies, said Moscow had not yet proposed a specific date for the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he hoped that a meeting would take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and November 10.
Ukraine is about to enter another harsh winter as Russian attacks continue crippling critical infrastructure, even before the coldest days set in.In an attempt to relieve Kyiv, the Dutch government on Oct. 28 outlined a package of non-military aid worth 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), to be
Britain announced more than £10 billion ($13.3 billion) in additional support for Ukraine, alongside £500 million ($665 million) in urgent air-defense assistance. The package includes £7 billion ($9.3 billion) in economic support over three years and £3 billion ($4 billion) in export-finance capacity.
Researchers tie the fake to Storm-1516, a Russian influence operation that has overtaken RT and Sputnik by cloning trusted news brands to publish fabricated stories under their names.
Britain announced more than £10 billion ($13.3 billion) in additional support for Ukraine, alongside £500 million ($665 million) in urgent air-defense assistance. The package includes £7 billion ($9.3 billion) in economic support over three years and £3 billion ($4 billion) in export-finance capacity.
Researchers tie the fake to Storm-1516, a Russian influence operation that has overtaken RT and Sputnik by cloning trusted news brands to publish fabricated stories under their names.
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said on Wednesday, Oct. 28 that demining of routes into Russian-occupied Oleshky is underway. The move marks a significant step in the mission, allowing aid deliveries and civilian evacuations to proceed. Earlier in the day, Lubinets confirmed that the first 30 hours of the humanitarian ceasefire passed without incident.
The truce, set to last until Nov. 1, was brokered through the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump, after earlier calls by Pope Leo XIV to Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
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Ukraine may have to rethink its wartime blackouts if Russia begins mass use of drones and missiles carrying the “Susanin” optical-navigation module.
Only 8,600 Ukrainians have signed the army’s new fixed-term contracts in four months.
With the money spent on the war, Russia could have built 1,000 new schools and 200 hospitals, and granted 1 million rubles to every child born since the start of the full-scale invasion.
One of them is Roscosmos, which puts the satellites in orbit.
Reform UK leader ‘shocked’ by £10bn pledged to Ukraine and doubles down on cutting tax for crypto investorsBudget 2026: key points at a glanceNigel Farage skipped the chancellor’s first budget because he was worried he would get in a “physical altercation” with another MP in a row over seating arrangements.The Reform UK leader was not present in the House of Commons but gave a press conference afterwards in which he said he was “shocked” by the £10bn going to support Ukraine and doubled down on his party’s policies on cutting tax for crypto investors.
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Ukraine and Russia have reportedly agreed to organize humanitarian aid deliveries and repatriation efforts in Kherson region communities after the Oleshky mission, Fox News reported. Operations would take place as needed, but at least monthly, reportedly with Melania Trump’s assistance and coordination. The report comes as Ukraine’s ombudsman says the current ceasefire has held without incidents.
Two mappers put Ukrainian troops on the river’s eastern bank this week, including at Terny, where Russia crossed in 2024 and kept pushing until Vivaldi drove it back.
Great powers may sit down to redraw the world’s spheres of influence again.
The announcement comes on the back of a Dutch ministerial visit to Kyiv, where 1.2 billion euros in non-military aid was pledged.
Calgary-based NanoTess received Health Canada approval for its NanoSALV Catalytic in 2022 and evaluated it by treating unhoused populations in encampments.
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explicare.deGreat powers may sit down to redraw the world’s spheres of influence again.
Two mappers put Ukrainian troops on the river’s eastern bank this week, including at Terny, where Russia crossed in 2024 and kept pushing until Vivaldi drove it back.
Brussels insists Nord Stream will remain shut after the war in Ukraine ends, countering a joint push by the US and Russia to restart the pipeline.
Russia plans to build own version of US billionaire’s satellite communications to help attack UkraineVladimir Putin praised Elon Musk’s genius and said he was in touch with Starlink’s controlling shareholder as Russia develops its own satellite communications for its military to use against Ukraine.The Russian president, speaking at a summit with African leaders in Moscow, was comparing the Earth-orbiting network built by Musk’s SpaceX with Russia’s gradual efforts to build its own Rassvet constellation.
Continue reading...
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said on Wednesday, Oct. 28 that demining of routes into Russian-occupied Oleshky is underway. The move marks a significant step in the mission, allowing aid deliveries and civilian evacuations to proceed. Earlier in the day, Lubinets confirmed that the first 30 hours of the humanitarian ceasefire passed without incident.
The truce, set to last until Nov. 1, was brokered through the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump, after earlier calls by Pope Leo XIV to Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
One of them is Roscosmos, which puts the satellites in orbit.
Sukharevskyi will replace Major General Dmytro Deliatytskyi in the job, sources confirmed independently to Ukrainska Pravda and Interfax-Ukraine.
Sukharevskyi will replace Major General Dmytro Deliatytskyi in the job, sources confirmed independently to Ukrainska Pravda and Interfax-Ukraine.
President Zelensky said trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, the US and Russia could take place on Nov. 10 in Abu Dhabi. Kyiv had sought an earlier meeting, but Zelensky said he decided to wait until voting in the US concluded.
A military observer explains why Ukraine keeps striking Russia’s Azot plant.