+++ News in the Ukrainian War +++: Russia and Ukraine begin local ceasefire in Oleschky

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Störe said they had a telephone conversation with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin about the Ukraine war, in which the results of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and the US envoys in Oslo last week were discussed. The telephone conversation, which took place at the initiative of the two Nordic leaders, was “honest and meaningful,” said Stubb, according to a joint statement on Tuesday.

The purpose of the phone call with Putin was to talk about the war and “the diplomatic efforts to end the war and promote peace and stability in Europe,” Stubb and Störe said in the statement. Störe emphasized that “the importance of de-escalation was emphasized” in the conversation.

"The outcome of this war will have direct consequences for our security and, beyond that, for the security of Europe. To end the war we need direct talks," Stubb added. The conversation with Putin took place after consultations with Ukraine, it said. Stubb and Störe also emphasized that they were speaking on their own behalf and not on behalf of Europe.

According to the Kremlin, Putin sharply criticized the EU and NATO states in the phone call. Putin said that their “confrontational” policies were prolonging the war in Ukraine. The three heads of state and government “agreed to continue to maintain direct telephone contact,” the Kremlin said.

It was said from Kiev that Zelensky had spoken to Stubb and Störe after the phone call with Putin. Stubb confirmed the conversation with Zelenskyj in an online service and emphasized there that Finland and Norway would continue to support Ukraine and continue efforts for a lasting peace.

On October 20th, Stubb, Störe, Zelenskyj and US envoy Steve Witkoff met in Oslo. US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, took part in the conversation via video. Witkoff then traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, to meet Putin there. (afp/dpa)

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned China, the USA and Russia not to make decisions about the fate of Ukraine among themselves. “They may talk and negotiate with each other, but without Ukraine they will never be able to find solutions,” said Merz on Tuesday after a keynote speech in Singapore. That's why we're looking for a format in which the Europeans and Ukraine also sit at the table. "Ukraine is part of Europe. It belongs to the European Union," emphasized the Chancellor. "When it comes to security guarantees after a ceasefire or after the end of this war, the Europeans are involved. Whether they want it or not, they are involved in creating security guarantees," he added. (rtr)

The armed forces of Russia and Ukraine are keeping local weapons silent to enable a relief operation for the frontline town of Oleshky in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region. The Russian side confirmed that night that a ceasefire had been in effect around the town, which had been cordoned off for months, since 3 a.m. (local time) and for the duration of a humanitarian operation.

During the ceasefire lasting several days, food and medicine will be delivered to the residents in need. A humanitarian corridor should also be created so that people can leave the region either towards Russia or Ukraine. The General Staff in Kyiv had also previously confirmed this.

Because the small town of Oleschky, located on the front line, is completely mined, the Ukrainian armed forces temporarily used drones to bring relief supplies there. However, many of the unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by Russian troops.

According to the agreement, mines should now be cleared in order to create a safe aid corridor. According to estimates, around 1,500 to 2,000 people still live in Oleschky, including dozens of children. The evacuation is only expected to begin in the coming days.

According to Washington, the humanitarian ceasefire is an initiative of the White House. According to the administration of US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump brokered the local ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. Pope Leo XIV also asked for help for Oleschky in a telephone conversation with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

According to the Kremlin, a potentially successful humanitarian operation in Oleschky could also serve as a model for other sectors of the front. In recent months, Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of triggering a humanitarian catastrophe by shelling the city. Including surrounding villages, up to 6,000 people are said to be suffering. Fighting continued on other sectors of the front.

The General Staff in Kyiv emphasized that the temporary ceasefire applies exclusively to the humanitarian operation. “We call on everyone to be particularly careful with the information you receive and pass on during this period,” the generality said on Telegram. “Do not trust unconfirmed reports or spread rumors about the routes, times and places where people and humanitarian convoys move.” (dpa)

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has accused Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin of a lack of desire for peace in light of the three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the USA planned for November. “Putin always simulates willingness to talk,” said Pistorius on Monday after an E5 defense ministers meeting in Paris. “Nothing, nothing at all” suggests that Putin “is interested in a ceasefire or even peace.”

“On the contrary, he is playing for time,” said Pistorius. Putin will “bank on a cold winter” and have Ukraine’s energy and water supplies “very systematically” destroyed. “This is nothing other than sheer terror.” Germany has prepared winter aid and is working with Ukraine on an additional air defense system.

Regarding participation in a planned military exercise by the so-called Coalition of the Willing, Pistorius said: “We were never opposed to participation.” Germany is making a “relatively manageable contribution” through aerial refueling and support for military transport through Germany.

The defense ministers of the E5 states Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Poland wrote in a joint statement about the meeting that they shared the “deep conviction that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security.” At the same time, the USA remained an “indispensable ally”.

Federal Defense Minister Pistorius also announced that talks between the deputy chiefs of general staff and political directors of the E5 states should begin in Berlin this year. France's Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin announced the next meeting of E5 defense ministers in March in Rome. (afp)

According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, an important Dnipro bridge was damaged in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The attack hit the southern bridge over the river, Klitschko said on Tuesday on the Telegram online service. The metro infrastructure on the bridge was also damaged. Train traffic across the bridge has been suspended, city authorities added.

There had previously been reports of several ballistic missiles being fired towards the Ukrainian capital. The Ukrainian army announced early Tuesday morning that ballistic missiles had been fired towards Kyiv.

Russia has increased its drone and missile attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks and has again increasingly targeted energy infrastructure. Many people in Kyiv are therefore afraid of another winter with little or no electricity and heat supply.

Bridges over the Dnipro, which flows through Kyiv, were repeatedly hit, leading to traffic restrictions. According to Klitschko, the connection between the left and right banks is “one of the decisive factors for the city’s functionality.” (afp)

According to official information, at least one person was killed in Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday evening. Eight other people were injured, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Two medical facilities and a student dormitory were damaged in the attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian ballistic missiles struck near a university and in busy neighborhoods.

According to Klitschko, windows in an intensive care unit were broken by the pressure wave of an impact. At another medical facility, the windows of two wards were destroyed. Patients and medical staff remained uninjured. One person was killed near a supermarket. A 20-year-old woman suffered injuries when it hit near a student dormitory.

Zelensky said the Russian missiles hit the grounds of a university, the adjacent Kyoto Park, the area around a subway station and residential buildings. There is “not a single military facility” nearby. The attack was directly directed against the city and its infrastructure. (afp)

According to official information, at least two people were killed in a Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. In addition, at least four people were injured, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on Telegram. “Multi-family homes, single-family homes and cars were damaged,” he added. The emergency services were still on duty that evening. (dpa)

According to the local administration, one person was killed and 30 others injured in a drone attack on a bus in the Russian-controlled part of the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia. This was reported by the Russian-appointed governor of the region, Yevgeny Balitsky. (rtr)

A United Nations investigative commission has made serious allegations against Russia in connection with its war of aggression against Ukraine. Russian authorities, in collaboration with agents, abducted people from 29 countries using deception or coercion, the investigative commission said on Monday in New York. The aim is to force those deceived and kidnapped into the Russian armed forces, where they often die.

According to available witness statements and documents, flights led to Russia via Bahrain, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Panama, Spain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Based on the evidence collected, the Commission concluded that the Russian authorities had committed human trafficking and other human rights violations.

The men being courted responded to offers for civilian jobs in Russia that seemed lucrative, genuine and credible. Shortly after their arrival, however, the men would be forced to sign contracts in Russian with the Defense Ministry.

Cell phones and passports are often confiscated. The recruits were shocked when they realized that they would have to serve in the Russian armed forces. Men are being entrusted with dangerous tasks on the front lines in Ukraine.

The victims' departure, disappearance, wounding, death or capture are said to have long-term psychological effects on their families, who undertake intensive search efforts. The “Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine” has been working on behalf of the UN Human Rights Council since 2022 and produces regular reports. (epd)