Ukraine war briefing: Navalny’s widow condemns UN Chief Guterres for shaking hand of ‘Murderer’ Putin

Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya, widow of late activist Alexei Navalny, took to social media to slam UN Secretary-General António Guterres for meeting Vladimir Putin. “In the third year of the war, the UN Secretary-General was shaking hands with a murderer,” Navalnaya stated on X, alongside a photo of Putin greeting Guterres. Alexei Navalny, an outspoken critic of Putin, died in February while imprisoned as a political dissident in Russia.

Guterres Challenges Putin Over Ukraine Invasion

During their meeting at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, Guterres condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a breach of international law and called for a “just peace.” However, Putin responded that Moscow is open to discussions but only based on “reality on the ground.” He further accused the West of leveraging Ukraine as a threat to Russia’s security.

North Korean Troops and Escalating Violence in Eastern Ukraine

Putin did not deny reports of North Korean troops joining Russian efforts, only remarking that “images reflect something” when questioned about satellite footage of troop movement. Ukrainian intelligence confirmed North Korean soldiers have been deployed in the Kursk region, which has seen recent Ukrainian incursions.

Amid intensifying hostilities, Russian forces unleashed deadly attacks on Ukraine’s eastern regions, killing at least six civilians. In Kharkiv’s Kupiansk area, a thermobaric bomb left ten wounded and one dead. Later strikes on Pokrovsk and a Nova Poshta delivery site near the frontlines claimed more lives.

Mongolia Criticized for Welcoming Putin Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) referred Mongolia to its oversight body for failing to arrest Putin during his September visit, despite an outstanding ICC warrant for his role in the Ukraine conflict. The ICC’s member states will address the matter in December, with possible punitive measures for Mongolia’s noncompliance.

Ukraine’s Crackdown on Draft Evasion Rings and Corruption

In Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities detained six people, including three military recruitment officers, linked to a high-profile scheme helping citizens evade military service. Authorities seized over $1.2 million, luxury cars, and other assets involved in the alleged bribery network, which reportedly aided “thousands” to avoid enlistment.

Russia’s Ramp-Up in Defense Spending

On Thursday, Russian lawmakers passed a budget bill raising defense spending by nearly 30% in 2024. The increase reflects Moscow’s commitment to escalating its military campaign in Ukraine, with further budget deliberations set for mid-November.