Today's 🇺🇦 updates:
⚡🇷🇺 troops launched another air strike overnight against 🇺🇦 with 12 Shahed attack drones, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on October 30.
⚡🇷🇺 missile attack on Odesa shipyard injured 2. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-crisis-crosshairs-live-briefing/31668477.html
⚡🇷🇺 troops launched another air strike overnight against 🇺🇦 with 12 Shahed attack drones, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on October 30.
⚡🇷🇺 missile attack on Odesa shipyard injured 2. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-crisis-crosshairs-live-briefing/31668477.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Ukraine Live Briefing: Zelenskiy Talks Up 'Victory Plan' On European Tour
RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. The Live Briefing presents the latest developments and analysis, updated throughout the day.
“The situation in Daghestan did not appear overnight,” one Russian analyst told RFE/RL. “The steam should have been allowed to get out.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-daghestan-anti-semitic-tensions/32660373.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-daghestan-anti-semitic-tensions/32660373.html
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Anti-Semitic Outbursts In North Caucasus Expose Moscow's Perilous Balancing Act On Gaza War
The Kremlin has tried to use the Israel-Hamas conflict for its own ends, castigating the West and hosting a delegation from the Palestinian group. The storming of the airport in Daghestan shows that a shift in Moscow's Mideast balancing act has potentially…
Now that UN sanctions related to Iran's ballistic-missile program have expired, would Tehran export advanced weaponry to Moscow?
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-missile-technology-trade/32667412.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-missile-technology-trade/32667412.html
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Iran Has Reasons To Avoid Selling Missiles To Russia After Sanctions Expire
Russia and Iran say they're free to trade missile technology now that UN sanctions barring such cooperation have expired. But while some worry they could expand their trade into more advanced weaponry and know-how, experts suggest that not much will change…
An analysis of satellite images by @cxemu, @svoboda_radio's Ukrainian investigative unit, indicates that Russia is actively building up its production capacity for military equipment and developing new factories as it continues to reorient its economy toward its war against Ukraine.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ramping-up-war-production/32658857.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ramping-up-war-production/32658857.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Satellite Images Suggest Russia Is Ramping Up Production Capacity For Its War Against Ukraine
An analysis of satellite images by Schemes, RFE/RL's Ukrainian investigative unit, indicates that Russia is actively building up its production capacity for military equipment and developing new factories as it continues to reorient its economy toward its…
Investigators don’t yet know whether the pipeline damage was sabotage or an accident, but Finnish intelligence said the involvement of a state actor “cannot be ruled out.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/china-baltic-pipeline-damaged-russia-newnew-polar-bear/32667867.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/china-baltic-pipeline-damaged-russia-newnew-polar-bear/32667867.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Hunt For Answers Continues Over Chinese Ship's Suspected Role In Damaging Baltic Pipeline
Finnish investigators say a Chinese vessel, which is currently making its way to China through Russian waters, damaged the Balticconnector pipeline that brings gas between Finland and Estonia. Was it an accident or another example of sabotage in the Baltic…
In Photos: Soviet flags as well as imagery of Marx, Lenin, and Stalin now appear to be a rallying point for Russian troops in Ukraine.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-invasion-russia-soviet-symbols/32667534.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-invasion-russia-soviet-symbols/32667534.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Red Flags: Soviet Symbols Return To Russia's Military
Nearly two years into an invasion with increasingly vague goals, recent photos show symbols from Russia’s Soviet past becoming increasingly mainstreamed as a rallying point for Russian troops.
A native of China’s Hebei Province, a 26-year-old man completed the so-called Balkan Route for migrants, joining tens of thousands of asylum seekers from around the world who are fleeing war, poverty, and repression.
https://www.rferl.org/a/balkans-route-chinese-asylum-seeker/32673586.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/balkans-route-chinese-asylum-seeker/32673586.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Fleeing China: A Chinese Migrant's Journey Across The Balkans To The EU
Fleeing increasingly repressive policies and a dimming future in China, a 26-year-old man's one-month trail through Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia highlights the growing number of Chinese asylum seekers coming to the EU this year.
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"There is nothing we want to happen more than to get Alsu back. My children need her, I need my wife back."
Pavel Butorin, the husband of detained RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, says his wife is a "political prisoner" as she remains behind bars in Russia.
Pavel Butorin, the husband of detained RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, says his wife is a "political prisoner" as she remains behind bars in Russia.
Serbian companies are exporting dual-use goods to Russia that have been targeted by Western sanctions due to their use in Russian armaments deployed in Ukraine -- despite a pledge by President Aleksandar Vucic that his country would not serve as a conduit for circumventing U.S. and EU sanctions.
https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-russia-sanctions-dual-use-technology/32676159.html?fbclid=IwAR1d8ceNW14-7QnNugpt0oGtDr0baWPvrl2i_F7I9yYRC08hLrVka0PBXYY
https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-russia-sanctions-dual-use-technology/32676159.html?fbclid=IwAR1d8ceNW14-7QnNugpt0oGtDr0baWPvrl2i_F7I9yYRC08hLrVka0PBXYY
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Investigation: Serbian Firms Ship Sanctioned Dual-Use Tech To Russia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has vowed that "no one can bypass" Western sanctions on Russia via the Balkan country he leads. But a new RFE/RL investigation shows that the types of Western electronics used in Russian weapons are flowing to Moscow from…
When they refused to renew their contracts, at least two volunteer soldiers ended up in a “pit” -- a detention cellar or hole in the ground where food, water, and medicine are denied.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-systema-investigation-contract-soldiers-pay-pardons-promises-broken/32676712.html?fbclid=IwAR3F9UUdq02Hk8ZzGC0dUQRltPB94PtxEHid9jxeorz4sRcBF7TejDKuwck
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-systema-investigation-contract-soldiers-pay-pardons-promises-broken/32676712.html?fbclid=IwAR3F9UUdq02Hk8ZzGC0dUQRltPB94PtxEHid9jxeorz4sRcBF7TejDKuwck
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Investigation: Russia Violates Promises Of Pay, Pardons For Contract Soldiers
Russia maintains manpower and avoids a politically risky call-up by offering contract soldiers what the Kremlin calls “very, very attractive” terms for signing up to fight in Ukraine. But RFE/RL’s Russian investigative unit, Systema, found numerous cases…
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An Iranian woman tells her story of defiance and coping. She joined the protest after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died just days after her detention by the morality police for allegedly wearing her head scarf incorrectly.
In another incident more than a year later, 17-year-old Armita Garavand died after she was allegedly attacked on the Tehran subway for not wearing a hijab.
In another incident more than a year later, 17-year-old Armita Garavand died after she was allegedly attacked on the Tehran subway for not wearing a hijab.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan last week, he was greeted by his counterpart, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, and accorded the full pomp befitting a strategic ally. But there was a change in emphasis that was difficult to ignore. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-central-asia-diplomatic-activitiy-surge-ukraine-war/32683831.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Living In The Limelight: Can Central Asia Sustain Surge Of Newfound Diplomatic Activity Without Russia?
As traditional partner Russia’s struggles continue, the countries of Central Asia are enjoying diplomatic attention not seen since gaining independence and the start of the U.S-led invasion of Afghanistan. But will the region be able to sustain these intensified…
After more than five months, Ukraine’s counteroffensive may be faltering. An audacious effort to set up bridgeheads across the Dnieper River could change that narrative.
https://www.rferl.org/a/bridgehead-dnieper-russia-ukraine-counteroffensive/32684589.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/bridgehead-dnieper-russia-ukraine-counteroffensive/32684589.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Bridgehead On The Dnieper: Russia Struggles To Contain A Ukrainian River Crossing. What Will It Do For The Counteroffensive?
Amid a grinding five-month counteroffensive, Ukrainian marine infantry forces are trying to pull off a complicated and audacious river crossing that has tied up a chunk of Russian troops on the left bank of the Dnieper near Kherson. Here's why you should…
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Ukrainian troops continue to hold out in Avdiyivka as Russian forces attack the industrial city in the Donetsk region. Moscow launched an offensive on the area in early October in an effort to seize the frontline territory. Russian forces have suffered heavy losses during the onslaught, according to Ukrainian officials. Despite the daily fighting, some 1,500 residents continue to live among the ruins of their once peaceful neighborhoods.
“My great-grandfather didn’t participate in World War II for four years so that Russia would become a fascist state and attack Ukraine.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-artist-skochilenko-sentenced-final-words-court-prison/32687860.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-artist-skochilenko-sentenced-final-words-court-prison/32687860.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
'Five Tiny Pieces Of Paper': St. Petersburg Artist Sasha Skochilenko's Defiant Final Words In Court
Shortly before being sentenced to seven years in prison over a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, St. Petersburg artist Sasha Skochilenko addressed the court, telling the judge “I am freer than you.”
Do the Ukrainian government’s media restrictions run counter to the country’s EU membership ambitions? Some Ukrainian politicians think so.
By @cxemu
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-parliament-press-restrictions-censorship-journalists/32701375.html
By @cxemu
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-parliament-press-restrictions-censorship-journalists/32701375.html
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Ukraine's Parliamentary Press Restrictions: Protecting Journalists Or The Government?
Only one state-controlled media outlet has been able to report from inside Ukraine’s parliament since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion. The government cites the risk of Russian strikes and other possible security threats to justify the ban, but critics worry…