Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1358: Heavy fog near Pokrovsk is enabling rapid Russian advances

Exclusives

Russians rush into Pokrovsk as heavy fog blunts Ukraine's drone advantage. Drones are an effective defense, but only when the weather is clear. Ukraine has too few infantry to fill in when its drones can't see.

Russian information warfare escalates with fabricated MiG-31 hijacking plot targeting Romania and Ukraine. Analysis reveals coordinated multi-domain hybrid operation exploiting US troop withdrawal tensions

NABU survived Zelenskyy's July purge to expose his friend's $100M racket—now comes the harder test. Ukraine's justice system decides whether evidence by its top anti-corruption agency becomes convictions.

UN traces Kherson's "human safari" up the chain of command — to Putin himself. Erik Møse, Chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which has declared Russia's drone terror a crime against humanity, explains how investigators traced a direct chain of command—from drone operators on the Dnipro's left bank to the Kremlin itself.

Military

No forests to hide in, no urban fortifications: Ukraine's southern front becomes Russia's open killing field. Russia tries Pokrovsk playbook again: encircle Huliaipole, threaten Zaporizhzhia, open route to Dnipro. Ukraine strikes power plant in occupied Donetsk, cutting electricity to key Russian-held cities. Strike on Starobesheve plant disrupts power across occupied territories, extending Ukraine's deep-strike campaign into areas Russia has held since 2014. Russia's petrochemical plant, producing military polymers engulfed in flames after Ukrainian strike 300 km away from border. Ukraine neutralizes threats on enemy soil. Failed to meet military quotas? Russia's solution: Send recruiters to meat assault units in Ukraine. Seven recruitment chiefs have been sent to frontline meat grinders for missing their conscription targets by 40%.

Intelligence and technology

Three years ago Ukraine bought Turkish drones—now it produces 4 million yearly, outpacing US. Ukraine's battlefield advantage becomes Europe's arsenal. Ukraine delivers $119 million in soft loans to 80 defense manufacturers, $112 million pending approval

. Defense enterprises pay just 5% interest on loans up to UAH 500 million, with the state covering the remainder—enabling manufacturers to scale from battlefield-tested prototypes to serial production.

International

WhatsApp groups and dossiers: Ukrainian diplomat reveals how Russia sabotaged Istanbul peace talks. Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky opened Istanbul peace talks with a lecture concluding "we, the Russians are killing Russians" and denied Ukrainian nationality despite sitting across from former defence ministers and generals Germany won't cut Ukraine aid over corruption case but will watch "very closely," spokesman says. A corruption scandal involving President Zelenskyy's former business partner and the state nuclear company Energoatom will not derail German aid to Ukraine, Berlin confirmed, though officials said they would monitor Kyiv's response "very closely." G7 ministers convene in Canada to discuss stalled Trump peace efforts, trade, and Russian escalation. Summit exposes rifts on Russia policy as Germany pledges €40 million for Ukraine's winter survival. Ukraine promises justice as $100 million corruption scandal comes under G7 allies spotlight in Canada. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha assures G7 partners that those embezzling from Energoatom will face justice. Another group of Ukrainian children freed from Russian deportation, propaganda and abuse

. Among those returned: a 10-year-old bullied for speaking Ukrainian, children orphaned by medical neglect, and a teenager tortured over family ties to Ukraine's military. From Donetsk orphans to Russian soldiers: How occupation transforms Ukrainian children into occupiers. Ukrainian orphans in their new Russian military uniforms represent the endpoint of Russia's systematic child militarization program.