Members of Ukraine’s EU-backed anti-corruption agency and the FBI are coordinating actions in the 2025 top energy investigation, which involves the alleged laundering of $100 million, ZN.UA reports, citing its own sources. 

Recently, representatives from both agencies met in connection with the case of Energoatom, Ukraine's sole nuclear operator.

According to investigators, the perpetrators demanded kickbacks amounting to 10–15% of Energoatom contract values. Contractors had to pay to avoid blocked payments or the loss of supplier status. Timyr Mindich, one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's closest associates, oversaw the operation of a so-called “laundromat”, where funds obtained through illegal means were laundered.

In the embezzlement case, five individuals have been detained, and seven alleged members of the criminal organization have already been formally charged. Among those searched were Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who has since resigned, and Mindich, who is hiding abroad.

FBI returns to Ukrainian investigations 

A new FBI officer has recently arrived in Kyiv, and one of his first meetings was specifically focused on the Mindich case. The FBI representative works within the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine under an interagency memorandum originally signed during the bureau’s founding.

The case highlights Ukraine’s commitment, with strong European Union support, to eradicating corruption at the highest levels of government. However, the investigation must yield results and lead to the arrest of jail officials involved in the scheme. The case is especially painful to ordinary Ukrainians, who continue to endure up to 12-hour blackouts following Russian missile attacks.

For comparison, the stolen $100 million could have purchased 27 Patriot missiles or 40,000 Sting interceptor drones. 

After a brief technical pause that coincided with the US President Donald Trump administration, the document was re-signed following NABU Director Semen Kryvonos’s visit to the US. Since then, constant operational cooperation between NABU and the FBI has been restored for cases involving high-level corruption.

“Iranization” describes a country that is stuck with limited modernization, long-term stagnation, and a deepening dependence on China. It’s the first major Western institutional attempt to define Russia’s trajectory as structurally comparable to Iran’s decades-long isolation.

Russia’s reserves are depleting and deficits mounting through October. Moscow retains the capacity to sustain its invasion through 2026, but the economic model is collapsing into stagflation.

What “Iranization” means

The French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) report, “Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review,” supervised by nine European think tank directors, defines the term precisely.

Like Iran after decades of sanctions, Russia faces structural isolation from Western markets, financial systems, and technology transfers.

June predictions, October reality

IFRI’s mid-year assessment saw trouble coming. Russia’s economic momentum had peaked by year-end 2024 and was drifting into stagflation. The warning signs included rising inflation, a projected budget deficit of 2.6% in 2025, and the National Wealth Fund’s liquid portion shrinking to $31.5 billion by June 2025.

Russia’s budget deficit hit 4.2 trillion rubles ($48.2 billion) in the first eight months of 2025—four times higher than the previous year, per Russian Finance Ministry data. The National Wealth Fund now stands at roughly $40 billion, continuing its decline despite a modest uptick from June.

Russia entered stagflation exactly when IFRI predicted, with deterioration accelerating through autumn.

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The €160 billion gas reckoning

Russia’s isolation shows most starkly in the energy. IFRI calculates Russia’s gas sector won’t recover from losing the European market—€160 ($185) billion in lost Gazprom export revenue over 2025-2030.

Yet, as IFRI points out, Europe absorbed the shock. Fossil-fuel import bills halved compared to 2022 levels—over €250 ($288) billion in annual savings for European countries.

The IFRI report notes Europe has implemented an unprecedented industrial policy shift, strengthening resilience and competitiveness while positioning itself to become the world’s most electrified economy and global climate leader by 2030.

War capacity persists

The critical caveat: Russia’s ability to sustain the war effort isn’t exhausted, particularly if oil prices remain stable. Lower oil prices or additional strict sanctions would create precarious conditions, but Moscow retains operational capacity for now.

The IFRI assessment notes that while Russia retains war-fighting capacity, Europe holds clear advantages in air, naval, space, and cyber domains. Russia dominates only land warfare through mass and firepower, plus nuclear intimidation, but cannot project power across all domains at once. Outside Ukraine’s ground war, the military balance remains decisively in Europe’s favor.

Nine European think tank directors supervised this assessment—the first formal Western research framework to treat Russia’s trajectory as permanent structural isolation rather than a recoverable disruption. European planners aren’t asking whether Russia’s economy will recover after the war ends. They’re analyzing how Moscow will function as a sanctioned, isolated state dependent on China for survival, mirroring Tehran’s trajectory over four decades.

Ukrainian airborne forces have cleared a path through hell in Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence fighters broke through a ground corridor and reinforced the “Tymur” special unit operating in the combat zone after a no-parachute landing in the Pokrovsk sector.

“Following a successful airborne operation, HUR special forces that had secured their designated positions were reinforced by additional units after a ground corridor was established,” HUR said.

According to the Defense Intelligence, the operation is taking place in one of the key districts of Pokrovsk, an area critical for frontline logistics. Ukrainian forces are conducting combat operations aimed at disrupting enemy attempts to expand fire control in this direction.

Special units operate in coordination

HUR noted that other intelligence special units are also active in the sector, though the specifics of their missions are not disclosed for security reasons.

“Coordinated work continues together with all components of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces,” the agency added.

Exclusive HUR footage showing precision assault in Pokrovsk

Additionally, HUR released an exclusive video of a special forces combat operation in Pokrovsk, showing for the first time the full cycle of actions, from a no-parachute insertion to a close-quarters assault.

Cockpit footage shows helicopter crews approaching at very low altitude to avoid Russian FPV drones and air-defence systems.

On the ground, fighters immediately occupy their assigned lines and begin assault operations.

The video shows the operation supported by:

• strike FPV drones and spotter/correction drones;
• artillery and rocket strikes on Russian positions;
• armoured vehicles operating in close coordination with assault groups.

Breaking the ring: Defense forces strengthen the Northeastern flank

At the same time, Serhii Okishev, spokesperson for the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, stated that the main objective of the Defense Forces is to push the enemy back further along the northeastern outskirts, according to UkrInform. 

“This will allow us to break the ring so that the enemy loses its fire control over our logistics,” Okishev emphasized.

He added that in this scenario, Ukraine’s Defense Forces would begin to control the Russian supply lines.

Zelenskyy meets airborne troops holding Pokrovsk

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the soldiers of the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade, which defends the city of Pokrovsk and its surroundings. 

“Brigade commander Andrii Turchyn briefed the president on the operational situation in his unit’s area of responsibility, the supply of necessary equipment and provisions, logistics, and troop rotations,” the President's Office reported. 

In these minutes, Ukrainian defenders are conducting clearing operations in Pokrovsk to prevent the city from being captured by Russian forces. The soldiers are pushing the aggressor back and working to prevent a strategic breakthrough in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps reports.

Ukraine reinforces positions as Russia tightens its advance with every second

According to the reports, Russia has concentrated nearly 170,000 troops on the Pokrovsk front. The occupiers are continuing to infiltrate the city and conducting free reconnaissance from drones. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers refuse to leave the ground. 

“Over the past few days, the Defense Forces have created conditions to replenish our troops in the area of responsibility with additional personnel and equipment,” Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps said. 

The Ukrainian forces prevented the Russians from cutting off the road connecting Pokrovsk and Rodynske. 

“To counter the enemy, we are continuing to deploy more assault units and special forces,” the report states.

According to Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps, the city’s defenses have already been reinforced with additional forces.

“We have clear plans to counter the enemy and maintain close coordination to stabilize the situation," it said. 

Pokrovsk’s twin city also appears in Russian "combat pocket"

According to some sources, up to a thousand Russian troops may be present in the city. The railway line running through Pokrovsk effectively divides it in half. OSINT sources have started marking the southern part of the city as a gray zone or under Russian control.

Nevertheless, there is currently no encirclement or “cauldron.” The occupiers are conducting raids into the central, western, and northern parts of the city, engaging in close combat.

An additional threat comes from simultaneous enemy pressure on Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk’s twin city. Both localities are now effectively in a “pocket,” with logistics hampered by constant FPV drone attacks on supply routes, RBC reports. 

“The fate of Pokrovsk will be decided in the coming weeks. If we lose Pokrovsk, we’ll likely have to abandon Myrnohrad without a fight. And then this problem will spread further north in Donetsk Oblast," a source said. 

Meanwhile, Russian occupation forces reportedly have a new “deadline” for seizing the entire Donetsk Oblast by the end of February 2026. That means that the region is expected to remain the epicenter of fighting throughout the coming winter.

Ukraine has turned a Russian Black Sea base into a burning metal. The Ukrainian Navy has reported that it has struck an elite Russian special forces unit stationed on the occupied Sivash drilling platform near annexed Crimea, Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. 

Ukrainian drones are driving the Russians from the Black Sea towers

In October 2025, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Russia deployed its naval detachment “Española” to the Boiko Towers.

The group presents itself as Russia’s potential “first maritime private military company” and is reportedly seeking legal status under a future Russian law on private military companies.

According to available information, Española was created under Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of occupied Crimea, to strengthen coastal defense.

Along with Russian surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, a Russian anti-tank missile crew was destroyed,” the Ukrainian Navy reported.

Now, Russian propagandists are attempting to portray this strike as a Ukrainian loss, claiming a Ukrainian Navy boat was destroyed by a Lancet loitering munition.

In reality, Ukrainian forces successfully used a kamikaze drone to hit the occupiers' position.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a unique airborne operation — a successful parachute-free airdrop in the Pokrovsk area, according to the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces.

The maneuver became one of the most daring episodes of the war: coordinated actions by paratroopers, air defense, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and drone units enabled a breakthrough through Russian lines and strengthened Ukrainian positions.

“Under Russian threat”: How the Pokrovsk operation unfolded

“It was a complex operation requiring synchronized actions across various branches of the Defense Forces. Under direct Russian threat, we had to ensure safe flight conditions and the successful landing of the personnel,” the 7th Corps reported.

Ukrainian units provided air cover and electronic suppression of the Russian military to secure the mission’s success. As a result, Ukrainian forces improved their tactical positions across several districts of Pokrovsk.

Fire control and Russian troops' destruction

Fighting in Pokrovsk remains intense and dynamic. Ukrainian assault groups are increasing their pace, using diversified movement tactics and disrupting Russian logistics.

“We are keeping the Russians under fire control, and the number of eliminated Russian troops in Pokrovsk continues to grow. Over the past week alone, 85 Russians have been neutralized,” the report said.

1,320 occupiers eliminated in October

According to the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces, in October alone, 1,320 Russian troops were killed and another 646 incapacitated within their area of responsibility.

This operation once again demonstrates that Ukrainian paratroopers can operate precisely, rapidly, and fearlessly — even under the most challenging frontline conditions.

Ukrainian assault troops from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelia" have cleared the village of Yehorivka of Russian troops in the Oleksandrivka Axis in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The video of the operation was filmed by the regiment and shared by the Ukrainian Army's Center for Strategic Communications on 26 October.

Ukrainian regiment clears Yehorivka in close-quarters battle

According to the narration in the shared video, showing aerial footage from the village, a large group of Russian infantry had occupied Yehorivka. Ukrainian assault groups were sent in to retake the settlement.

Russian troops were hiding inside civilian homes and refused to reveal themselves, even as Ukrainian soldiers moved through the area.

Footage shows the Skelia Regiment storming houses with grenades, RPGs, and small arms. The narrator says dozens of Russian soldiers were killed both inside Yehorivka and on its outskirts.

All enemy breakout attempts reportedly repelled

According to the narrator, all Russian attempts to break out of encirclement were stopped. He confirms there are no longer any Russian troops present in Yehorivka. After the operation, soldiers from the regiment raised the Ukrainian flag over the village, the video shows.

Russia wants only Ukraine's capitulation. Moscow's maximalist demands regarding Ukraine from 2021–2022 remain unchanged. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this became clear during the visit of Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, to the US. 

Dmitriev's visit followed US sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

Kremlin's unyielding demands: capitulation 

In the US, Dmitriev stated that Russia seeks solutions to the “root causes” of the war. ISW notes that Moscow uses this narrative to insist on:

• Replacing Ukraine’s government with a Russian-backed puppet administration.
• Obligating Ukraine to remain neutral, leaving the country defenseless against military aggression.
• Ending NATO’s open-door policy

"Complete annihilation of humanity"

Dmitriev, known as Putin’s negotiator, claimed that “the security of the whole world” depends on peaceful US–Russia relations and warned the Trump administration about “complete annihilation of humanity” according to ISW.

He also pushed for US–Russia economic cooperation, subtly referencing Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin began nuclear exercises on 22 October, which included launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, after their potential meeting with Trump in Budapest was cancelled. 

According to Dmitriev, the US must consider Russia’s “national interests” in peace discussions. He cited NATO expansion as an “existential threat” to Russia and framed the need to “protect Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine.”

Dmitriev additionally repeated Russia’s proposal to build a tunnel between the US and Russia across the Bering Strait using Elon Musk’s technology, claiming economic cooperation could become the “foundation of peaceful US–Russia relations.”

Sweets with threats

Additionally, Kirill Dmitriev brought boxes of chocolates to the negotiations in the United States, with wrappers featuring quotes by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He shared this on his Instagram page.

The chocolates included phrases such as “Russia doesn’t abandon its own” and “Russia’s borders have no end anywhere.”

Other quotes included:

• “It is pointless to speak to Russia from a position of strength.”
• “The fewer teeth you have, the more you love porridge.”
• “When a person stops being amazed, it’s time for them to go to the cemetery.”

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that Russia’s position on Ukraine has not changed since the Alaska summit in August 2025, rejecting any ceasefire that does not address the alleged “root causes” of the war.

Kyiv takes a step into the sky of freedom. Ukraine and Sweden have signed the first document, opening the path to receiving Swedish Gripen fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called it “a new and very meaningful chapter” in relations with Sweden, according to the President's Office. 

Superspeed fighter jets for Ukraine: the beginning of air era

On 22 October, Zelenskyy arrived in the Swedish city of Linköping, where he was greeted by Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. They planned to discuss a new level of defense partnership amid Russia’s war against Ukraine. 

100–150 fighter jets: forming a new Air Force

“Today, there is the first document between our countries that opens the way for Ukraine to receive a serious fleet of Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets,” Zelenskyy said during the meeting with Kristersson. 

He described the Gripen jet as a "very cool” and a “powerful platform capable of carrying out a wide range of combat missions.”

In his turn, Kristersson stated that the signed letter of intent opens the way for the potential supply of 100–150 Gripen E-series fighter jets, which will allow Ukraine to build “a very serious Air Force."

According to him, the agreement benefits both sides. For Sweden, it is “one step towards a major export deal for Saab” and a foundation for long-term industrial cooperation.

Saab is a leading Swedish aerospace and defense company, which produces the JAS 39 Gripen. Its headquarters are located in Linköping, the exact city where Zelenskyy arrived with the official visit. 

From intentions to contract

The Swedish prime minister emphasized that the document does not mean immediate deliveries, but creates a framework for a large-scale future agreement.

“It means great opportunities for the Ukrainian Air Force, and also for Sweden and our defence industry,” Kristersson said.

Zelenskyy added, “Everyone can see the threats this helps to counter. We expect that the future contract will allow us to receive at least 100 such aircraft.”

The Ukrainian president thanked the Swedish government, Kristersson, and Saab for their willingness to engage in deep defence cooperation.

The JAS 39 Gripen E has following specifications 

Its maximum speed is up to around 2,130 km/h, which is approximately Mach 2 at high altitude. The aircraft can carry:

• AIM-120 AMRAAM
• AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

They are used not only on the Gripen but also on many US and allied fighters, such as the F-16.

It is capable of launching precision-guided bombs GBU-12, GBU-49, and tactical air-to-ground missiles. 

The Gripen E/F of the so-called 4++ generation features improved stealth, additional protection, and a new F414 engine from General Electric, per United24. Additionally, its fuel capacity has increased by 1.5 times, enabling a combat radius of 1,300 km compared to 800 km in the JAS 39C/D, BBC reports. Maximum takeoff weight has also increased to 16.5 tons, and the number of weapon hardpoints has risen from 8 to 10.