UN Secretary-General Guterres condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a meeting with President Putin, calling for a “just peace” in the region. Putin stated that Russia was willing to consider options to end the conflict based on the “reality on the ground.” Concerns arose over reports of North Korean troops being involved in the war.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine resulted in casualties on Thursday, with reports of thermobaric bombings in various towns. Russian forces were reported to have advanced into the town of Selydove, as intense assaults continued along the frontline. The ICC referred Mongolia to its oversight organization for failing to arrest Putin, who has an arrest warrant related to the Ukraine war.
In Belarus, a father and son from Ukraine were sentenced to 20 years in jail for preparing terrorist acts, with allegations that they were acting under the direction of Ukraine’s security service. In Kyiv, six individuals were detained in relation to illegal evasion of military service, with a scheme uncovered that allowed thousands to avoid being drafted.
Russian lawmakers approved a budget with a nearly 30% increase in defense spending for next year, signaling the Kremlin’s focus on resource allocation for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The bill is set to undergo a second reading on November 14.
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