Tim Mak

THE LATEST NEWS AT THIS HOUR: HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE BEGINS IN OLESHKY: At 3:00 a.m. Kyiv time a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. First Lady Melania Trump came into effect in the Russia-occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region of Ukraine.

DOG OF WAR: In this weather, Aster wants to do nothing but sleep.

THE LATEST NEWS AT THIS HOUR: HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE BEGINS IN OLESHKY: At 3:00 a.m. Kyiv time a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. First Lady Melania Trump came into effect in the Russia-occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region of Ukraine.

UKRAINIAN DRONE INTERCEPTION RATE DROPS MINIMALLY DURING STARSHIELD SLOWDOWN: As a result of the Starlink slowdown between October 14 and 24, which impaired Ukrainian air defense systems, the jet-powered Shahed interception rate dropped from 77 percent to 74 percent, the ISW reported.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Without timely U.S. ballistic warnings, first responders faced greater risks from Russian double-tap strikes in the past weeks. As Europe struggles to offer an alternative, Ukraine is forced to rely on Washington.

Civilians were among the first to feel the consequences this time, jolting awake to explosions before the air raid sirens even wailed. Some never woke up.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Without timely U.S. ballistic warnings, first responders faced greater risks from Russian double-tap strikes in the past weeks. As Europe struggles to offer an alternative, Ukraine is forced to rely on Washington.

Here’s what The Counteroffensive is reading today: Germany will buy Ukraine’s Bars, a low-cost cruise missile, making this the first time the Bundeswehr will purchase offensive weapons from Ukraine. Denmark, Estonia and Latvia are also willing to buy Ukrainian weapons.

Here’s what Mariana is listening to today:

Here’s what The Counteroffensive is reading today: Germany will buy Ukraine’s Bars, a low-cost cruise missile, making this the first time the Bundeswehr will purchase offensive weapons from Ukraine. Denmark, Estonia and Latvia are also willing to buy Ukrainian weapons.

Polish hospitals, financial and energy systems are targets of daily cyberattacks, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski said. While the hybrid attacks against NATO countries are constant, Sikorski said Europe would not adopt Russia’s methods and retaliate.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The AfD’s election win reflects growing support for far-right politics in Germany. Axel Reitz, a former German neo-Nazi, explains how the far-right attracts new followers — and how to counter its influence.

CAT OF CONFLICT: Today, it's a kitten that our colleague Nastia saw.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The AfD’s election win reflects growing support for far-right politics in Germany. Axel Reitz, a former German neo-Nazi, explains how the far-right attracts new followers — and how to counter its influence.

NORTH KOREA EXPANDS MISSILE AND DRONE PRODUCTION WITH RUSSIAN ASSISTANCE: With technical and operational support from Russia, North Korea has significantly improved the accuracy of its ballistic missiles and established mass production of attack drones.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The AfD’s election win reflects growing support for far-right politics in Germany. Axel Reitz, a former German neo-Nazi, explains how the far-right attracts new followers — and how to counter its influence.

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Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The AfD’s election win reflects growing support for far-right politics in Germany. Axel Reitz, a former German neo-Nazi, explains how the far-right attracts new followers — and how to counter its influence.

Once a neo-Nazi activist, Reitz now works with the German nonprofit Extremislos to warn young people away from the far-right movement he once belonged to.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The AfD’s election win reflects growing support for far-right politics in Germany. Axel Reitz, a former German neo-Nazi, explains how the far-right attracts new followers — and how to counter its influence.

Today, 14 years after leaving far-right extremism behind, Axel Reitz is alarmed to see the radical ideas he once promoted finding a much larger audience in Germany’s political mainstream.

Here's what The Counteroffensive is reading today. On Thursday, Ukraine and Finland signed 7 cooperation agreements in defense, transport, and construction. Top priorities are building mobile shelters ahead of winter and increasing Ukraine's satellite communication capacity.

Here’s what Sasha is listening to today:

Here's what The Counteroffensive is reading today. On Thursday, Ukraine and Finland signed 7 cooperation agreements in defense, transport, and construction. Top priorities are building mobile shelters ahead of winter and increasing Ukraine's satellite communication capacity.

Students of at least 40 Russian educational institutions build drones and ammunitions and develop dual use technologies. Some of them get monthly stipends of up to $680 from Russia's top weapon producer Rostec. Children can also become drone operators after 9th grade.

THE LATEST NEWS AT THIS HOUR: UKRAINE TO PURCHASE ARMS THROUGH NATO AGENCY: Ukraine is set to gain access to NATO’s centralized procurement agency to purchase arms, ammunition, and military equipment, the Financial Times reports.

CAT OF CONFLICT: This kitten is tired of the blackouts.

THE LATEST NEWS AT THIS HOUR: UKRAINE TO PURCHASE ARMS THROUGH NATO AGENCY: Ukraine is set to gain access to NATO’s centralized procurement agency to purchase arms, ammunition, and military equipment, the Financial Times reports.

PUTIN TO RESUME PEACE TALKS WITH UKRAINE AND THE U.S.: Following a meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, the Kremlin said the Russian President had agreed to resume U.S.-mediated peace talks with Ukraine next month.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. A recent series of Russian attacks on Ukraine's data centers left many Ukrainians in fear of a total internet blackout. Artur works for an internet provider and does everything he can to keep users online.

In late September, Russian drones targeted 8 data centers in Kyiv within a week, disrupting the signal for a dozen internet providers, a handful of leading TV channels, and a major online public broadcasting platform.

Why, weeks before the midterms, is Trump siding with Putin when most Americans see him as the enemy? Ukrainians will die because of this. What does he think he's getting out of it? In 1 hour, I'm going live with @jenrubin.bsky.social Please send in your questions below.

Here’s what The Counteroffensive is reading today: Russia resumes shipping diesel to Turkey and Brazil. The tankers carry 300,000-barrel diesel cargoes each. The volumes of Russian diesel export, which Trump agreed to, are modest, but can be scaled up to 3.5 million tons per month.

Here’s what Mariana is listening to today:

Here’s what The Counteroffensive is reading today: Russia resumes shipping diesel to Turkey and Brazil. The tankers carry 300,000-barrel diesel cargoes each. The volumes of Russian diesel export, which Trump agreed to, are modest, but can be scaled up to 3.5 million tons per month.

Elon Musk is behind the speed restrictions on Starlinks in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal revealed, citing U.S. officials. Musk allegedly discussed this decision with White House officials, including Trump. Both the White House and Musk denied ordering the Starlink slowdown.

“We've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given nothing to us." — Trump, yesterday. In 2003, when Germany and France refused to send troops to Iraq, more than 1,600 Ukrainian soldiers went at Washington's request, but 18 of them never came home. Video: U.S. Network Pool via AP