Israel’s retaliation to Iran, Georgia holds elections - Weekend brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest

News for October 26

• Kyiv drone strike: Casualties climb as 6 injured

• Explosions and fire occurred at oil refinery in Ryazan, Russia

• 5,000 DPRK troops set to deploy in Kursk region by October 28

• Russian losses in Kursk escalate: Ukraine reports significant captures and casualties

News for October 27

• Explosion and fire reported near oil refinery in Tambov region

• Zelenskyy reveals new 'record' for Russian airstrikes against Ukraine in one week

• Ukraine’s deep strike on Russian rear sees destruction of two Pion artillery systems

• Violence in Selydove: Russian troops execute local citizens, investigation begins

Israel strikes military targets in Iran

On Saturday, October 26, Israel launched an attack on Iran in response to a massive ballistic missile strike that occurred earlier in October. The country is targeting military sites, according to Axios and the official Telegram account of the Israel Defense Forces.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officially confirmed that it had initiated measures in response to the Iranian attack that took place in early October 2024.

According to Israeli Channel 12, the first wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory targeted missile production facilities and air defense systems, reports The Times of Israel.

On Sunday, it became known that Israel also hit two of Iran's secret bases during the attack.

Tensions rise as parliamentary elections take place in Georgia

On Saturday, Georgia held parliamentary elections in which the pro-Russian Georgian Dream and pro-European opposition parties competed.

In the evening, the Georgian Central Election Commission announced the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections. It said that the turnout, according to preliminary data, was almost 60%.

On Sunday, Georgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that a government would be formed despite the opposition's objections.

In response, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that she, as an independent institution, does not recognize these elections and called for protests.

Previously, international observers reported violations in the elections in Georgia.

Zelenskyy’s Office sets firm precondition for peace talks with Russia

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak stated that Ukraine has taken a firm stance against any freezing of the current war, stating that the key precondition for initiating negotiations with Russia is the complete withdrawal of Russian forces to the positions they held before February 24, 2022.

Yermak reminded us that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had never spoken about territorial compromise. The President has always emphasized the need to adhere to internationally recognized borders.

Vance tells whether Trump will keep US in NATO

US presidential candidate Donald Trump, if elected, will keep the country in NATO. However, it is important for him that the transatlantic alliance is not “just a welfare client,” states Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance.

According to Vance, Trump wants NATO to be strong.

At the same time, when a journalist asked Vance to give a direct answer about Trump's intentions, Vance said that the United States would remain in NATO.

Occupation of Levadne in Zaporizhzhia region. Armed Forces update

On October 27, DeepState reported that the Russian army had occupied the village of Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. It is located near the administrative border with Donetsk region.

The Ukrainian military confirms the advance of Russian troops in that area of the front.