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In a latest public appearance in the Russian city of Sochi, the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin declared that supplying American long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukrainian forces would trigger a "completely new stage of escalation" involving Moscow and Washington. Putin claimed that such a move would fail to change the ongoing dynamics on the battlefield, where Russian troops are making gradual but consistent advances.

US Tomahawk Transfer Plans Encounter Practical Hurdles

According to reports, the US government's desire in delivering these cruise missiles to Kyiv could be viable due to existing stockpile commitments to the US navy and other uses. Sources indicated that the US could consider allowing European allies to purchase alternative long-range weapons for transfer to Ukraine, but Tomahawks were unlikely. The official doubted the practicality of furnishing these missiles with a operating distance of 1,550 miles, proposing shorter-distance options instead.

American Reconnaissance Support for Kyiv Allegedly Grows

Several media outlets have reported that the US will provide Ukrainian forces with reconnaissance data on long-range energy infrastructure targets Russian territory. Such a move would represent a significant change in US administration support for Ukraine. This policy adjustment would mark the initial example of a policy alteration under Donald Trump following his late September social media statements implying that Ukraine might recover all occupied land from Moscow.

Zelenskyy Warns European Nations of Russian Escalation

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned the continent's officials that recent drone incursions demonstrate Russia is seeking to "escalate" its military campaign. Addressing attendees at a summit of dozens of European heads of state in the Danish capital, the Ukrainian leader asserted that Russia aims to "weaken the west and the European Union". His warning came amid mystery drone sightings in Scandinavian countries and notable aerial incursions by Moscow in Estonia and Eastern Europe, raising concerns that Russia's war could spill over Ukraine's borders. He added that Ukraine was prepared to share its war-honed expertise to help counter the danger. "Should the Russians dare to launch drones against allied nations, or breach the airspace of northern European countries, it signifies this can happen in any location," he emphasized.

Putin Vows Countermeasures Against European "Military Buildup"

The Russian president vowed to quickly respond against the continent's "escalating militarisation" while dismissing Western apprehensions that Moscow plans to attack Nato as "baseless". In his address in the Russian resort city, the Russian leader stated, "We are closely monitoring the increasing armament of European countries … We simply cannot ignore what is occurring. We have no right to do so for reasons of our own security." Putin continued, "In my view everyone understands that Russia's countermeasures will not be long in coming."

Moscow Opposition Politician Faces Charges

The deputy leader of Russia's opposition Yabloko group, which is against the war in Ukraine, has been accused with disseminating false information about the Russian army and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Maxim Kruglov, 38 ex-parliamentarian in the capital's council, informed a Moscow court from a secure enclosure that the accusation against him was "absurd" and that he posed no danger to society. A lawyer for Kruglov said that her client had been indicted over two posts on Telegram in the previous years and that he had been intensively questioned in the late hours and had his residence inspected.

Ukrainian Power Recovery Operations Underway

Emergency crews were slowly reinstating power to areas of northern Ukraine disconnected from the power network by Moscow's strikes, the government's head said recently. Electricity had been fully restored in multiple zones of the northeastern Sumy oblast targeted by overnight Russian attacks, the official said on social media. Repairs were also proceeding in the adjacent Chernihiv area, where over 300,000 users had been left without power.

Moscow and Ukraine Exchange Captured Soldiers

The two nations swapped numerous prisoners of war on the recent day. Zelenskyy said that 185 military personal – the majority had been in Russian captivity – and 20 civilians were repatriated. Moscow's military department said that 185 Russian troops and 20 citizens returned. From the start of the conflict, over 7,000 individuals had returned, Zelenskyy noted on the platform.