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The Kremlin is implementing a psychological influence operation of intimidations to deter the US from delivering long-range missiles to Ukrainian forces, as reported by military analysts. An influential official remarked: “We understand these weapons very well, how they fly, how to shoot them down, we encountered them in the Syrian conflict, so there is nothing new. Only those who supply them and the deploying forces will have problems … We will develop strategies to target those who create problems for us.”

Ukraine's Defensive Operations Progress

Kyiv's troops were inflicting heavy losses in a military operation in eastern Ukraine, the central battlefield, Ukraine's leader reported on midweek. Zelenskyy's assessment, based on a briefing from his top commander, contrasted with Vladimir Putin's speech before senior Russian officers a day earlier in which he claimed Moscow's forces held the military advantage in every combat zone.

Based on evaluation from early October, military analysts said Russia was experiencing substantial casualties, particularly from drone strikes by Ukraine, in compensation of limited tactical advances. Kyiv's troops, the president stated, were “protecting our positions along all other directions”, mentioning particularly Kupiansk, a heavily damaged urban area in Ukraine's northeast under sustained offensive operations for months.

Regional Developments

The regional governor in Ukraine's southern region of Kherson said Russian attacks on midweek killed three people in and around the urban center of the oblast center. Administrative officials of the Sumy oblast, on the northern frontier with neighboring Russia, said three individuals were killed in Russian drone attacks in different districts. Ukraine's air force said it successfully countered the majority of offensive unmanned aircraft during the night.

An offensive strike seriously damaged a Ukrainian energy facility, authorities said on Wednesday. Two employees were harmed during the strike, according to energy company officials. They provided no further information, regarding the site's whereabouts, but Ukrainian authorities said strikes hit power facilities in the Chernihiv region, southern Ukraine and south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Humanitarian Consequences

In the north-eastern Sumy town of the Shostka area, significantly damaged by the Russian onslaught against the energy infrastructure, authorities have established temporary shelters where civilians are able to seek warmth, receive warm beverages, maintain communication capability and access mental health services, based on information from regional head.

Diplomatic Reactions

The Ukrainian diplomat to the military alliance on Wednesday called on NATO members to accelerate procurement of American military equipment for Ukrainian forces. “This doesn't mean we favor American weapons over French or German or other international equipment – the challenge remains that we are asking the US for equipment that European countries are unable to supply,” said Ukraine's NATO envoy.

Germany's national police will immediately gain permission to neutralize UAVs, interior minister declared on Wednesday, after a spate of drone sightings considered likely foreign operations to gather intelligence and deter. Unveiling a draft law, the official said law enforcement would receive permission “to employ advanced technological measures against UAV risks, including EMP technology, signal disruption, satellite signal blocking, but also with kinetic methods”.

EU Protection Concerns

European Commission President said on Wednesday that the European Union should enhance its security measures to deter complex threat operations following aerial violations, computer network operations and marine communications interference. “This is not isolated incidents. It is a systematic and intensifying operation,” the official said in a address before the European parliament. “A couple of events are isolated incidents, but several, many, frequent – this constitutes a planned and specific hybrid threat strategy against Europe, and European countries should answer.”

Displacement Status

The Swiss government has extended its refugee protection provided to displaced Ukrainians to at least 4 March 2027. Protection status S, which enables individuals to journey internationally as well as seek employment there, is generally limited to one year but can be extended. “The ruling shows the persistent unstable environment and ongoing military actions across extensive regions of the country,” said a federal announcement. “Notwithstanding global diplomatic initiatives, a enduring resolution that would permit protected homecoming is not projected in the medium term.”