UN General Assembly demands Russian reparations to Ukraine
Russia is one of five nations that have veto power in the UN Security Council.
Carlo Allegri | Reuters
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violating international law by invading Ukraine, including paying reparations.
The vote in the 193-member world body was 94-14 with 73 abstentions. It was the lowest level of support of the five Ukraine-related resolutions adopted by the General Assembly since Russia’s February 24 invasion of its smaller neighbor.
The resolution recognizes the need to establish “an international mechanism for the reparation of damage, loss or injury” resulting from Russia’s “unlawful acts” against Ukraine.
It recommends that member nations of the assembly, in cooperation with Ukraine, create “an international registry” to document claims and information about damage, loss or injury to Ukrainians and the government caused by Russia.
– Associated press
Kremlin press secretary confirms Russia-US talks in Turkey
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the talks between Russia and the US took place in Turkey.
“Indeed, these negotiations took place. It was an initiative of the American side,” Peskov told TASS, a Russian state news agency. Peskov, however, did not reveal the participants or the topic of the negotiations.
According to Reuters, US CIA Director William Burns held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spy chief, Sergei Naryshkin. Burns was to warn the Kremlin about the consequences of using nuclear weapons and was expected to raise the issue of American prisoners in Russia, a White House official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
That conversation in Ankara, the Turkish capital, was the first known face-to-face meeting between US and Russian officials since the war began.
– Rocio Fabbro
Portfolio of 60 ships waiting to transport agricultural products from Ukraine
An aerial view shows ships at the anchorage area of the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in Istanbul on October 12, 2022.
Yasin Akgul | AFP | Getty Images
The organization that monitors the export of Ukrainian agricultural products said there is a backlog of 60 ships waiting to be loaded with cargo.
The UN-led Joint Coordination Center also said about eight loaded ships are awaiting inspection in Turkish territorial waters.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal negotiated in July between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, eased Russia’s naval blockade and saw the reopening of three key Ukrainian ports. Since the agreement was signed, more than 450 ships carrying 10.7 million metric tons of grain and food have left for destinations around the world.
Kyiv has previously blamed Moscow for halting inspections and delaying ship movements.
— Amanda Macias
Four ships will leave Ukrainian ports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Ships, including those carrying grain from Ukraine awaiting inspections, are seen anchored off the coast of Istanbul on November 2, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Chris McGrath | Getty Images
The organization that monitors the export of agricultural products said four ships carrying barley flour, corn and sunflower left Ukrainian ports.
The amount of cereals and other foodstuffs exported under the Black Sea Cereals Initiative has so far exceeded 10.7 million metric tons.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal negotiated in July between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, eased Russia’s naval blockade and saw the reopening of three key Ukrainian ports.
— Amanda Macias
182 cities and towns of Kherson now under Ukrainian control, says head of national police
Ukrainian police control 182 cities and towns in the Kherson region, with a steadily increasing police presence in territories vacated by Russia, according to Ukraine’s national police chief.
Police chief Igor Klymenko acknowledged that, beyond Ukraine’s victory in the region, officials now face the difficult task of securing the city after the Russian occupation.
“There is still a lot of work to be done. Especially for our explosives technicians,” Klymenko said in a Facebook post. “It is necessary to examine all administrative buildings, infrastructure facilities, so that it is possible to recover the normal life of the cities.”
Klymenko said police units will patrol the streets “day and night” and are available to locals.
The withdrawal of Russian forces from the southern Ukrainian region late last week was met with celebrations as residents unfurled their Ukrainian flags and took to the streets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the regional capital earlier to take part in an official ceremony to raise the national flag in the city and to present state awards to Ukrainian soldiers.
– Rocio Fabbro
US sanctions military procurement network that helps Russia
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a press conference with Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe at the Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland, November 1, 2021.
Clodagh Kilcoyne | Reuters
The United States has imposed new sanctions on a military procurement network in Asia and Europe in an attempt to curb military supply chains that help Russia.
The State Department and Treasury have jointly designated 14 individuals and 28 entities accused of supplying Russia with military technology. Among those sanctioned is Milandr, a microelectronics developer operating in Russia. They also include relatives and associates of Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian billionaire, former politician and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier this year, the US froze more than $1 billion in Kerimov’s real estate interests.
Additional designations were placed on two Swiss companies linked to US-sanctioned businessman and known Putin associate Andrey Guryev.
“The United States will continue to crack down on Russia’s attempts to evade international sanctions to fund its war machine,” the State Department said in a statement. “Companies around the world are encouraged to do their due diligence to avoid being the target of sanctions.”
The United States and its allies have imposed a large number of sanctions on Russia and individuals and entities linked to Russia since the beginning of the war. Countries have sought to punish the promoters of Russia’s war in Ukraine in an attempt to alienate Moscow from networks that could supply it with the weapons, technology and funds used in the conflict.
– Rocio Fabbro
Lockheed Martin wins $520 million contract to replenish US arsenals after Ukraine security assistance
Ukrainian troops fire MLRS surface-to-surface rockets at Russian positions on a front line in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region on June 7, 2022.
Aris Messinis | Afp | Getty Images
The US military awarded multiple contract options worth more than $520 million to Lockheed Martin for its guided multiple launch rocket systems to replenish US arsenals.
In recent months, the Pentagon has provided Ukraine with a weapons system for its fight against Russia.
“This award allows us to replenish our own inventory while providing critical capabilities to our allies and international partners,” said Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology.
— Amanda Macias
The UK announces around $5 million in aid dedicated to repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Electricity substation destroyed by a Russian missile attack, Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine.
Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images
The UK announced its first tranche of funding for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which aims to help repair Ukraine’s energy infrastructure damaged by Russian bombing.
“Russia’s attacks on vital infrastructure show that Putin is resorting to desperate measures. But even in the face of missile attacks and blackouts, the resolve of the Ukrainian people remains unwavering,” said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in a statement.
“The Ukrainian government said it needed specialist energy equipment to repair critical national infrastructure, and the UK is honoring its request,” he added.
He cleverly asked all partners to commit funds after the UK’s contribution of approximately $5 million.
“We need all partners to step up their support and show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine will be met with fierce resistance,” Cleverly added.
— Amanda Macias
More than 6,500 people have died in Ukraine, according to the UN
A picture shows a mass grave of civilians at a cemetery near Lyman in the Donetsk region on October 11, 2022.
Sergei Bobok AFP | Getty Images
The United Nations has confirmed 6,557 civilian deaths and 10,074 injuries in Ukraine since Russia invaded its former Soviet neighbor on February 24.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the death toll in Ukraine is likely higher, because armed conflict can delay reporting of fatalities.
The international organization said most of the recorded civilian casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including heavy artillery bombardment and multiple rocket launch systems, as well as missiles and airstrikes.
— Amanda Macias
No other country wants peace more than Ukraine, says Ukraine’s top diplomat
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks during a press conference after meeting with his Russian counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Mevlut Cavusoglu amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Antalya, Turkey, on March 10, 2022.
Murad Sezer | Reuters
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an end to the “normalization of Russian aggression,” saying that support for Ukraine and tolerance for Russia are irreconcilable.
“No other country in the world wants peace in Ukraine more than Ukraine itself,” Kuleba said in a speech at the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council. “We never wanted this war in the first place. But we also know that accepting Russian ultimatums will not…