Russia launches strikes on Mykolaiv, Zelenskyy hints at major air defense boost for Ukraine - Tuesday brief

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Zelenskyy intrigues with statement on air defense: Decisions made regarding Shaheds and some missiles

Ukraine may soon strengthen its air defense, particularly for better interception of enemy missiles and drones, states President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his evening address.

According to Zelenskyy, he received a report from the Commander of the Air Force regarding air defense - specifically about the interception of missiles and drones, as well as our electronic warfare system.

"We discussed the format of strengthening air defense, and there are already certain decisions regarding Shaheds and some types of missiles," Zelenskyy said.

Russian missile strike on Mykolaiv: Number of casualties increases

The Russian army launched S-300 anti-aircraft missiles strike on Mykolaiv on the night of October 15. As a result of the attack, fires broke out, and buildings in the city were damaged, according to the State Emergency Service.

The missile strike damaged an infrastructure facility, private residential buildings, and cars in one of Mykolaiv's residential areas.

More than 20 people were wounded, according to the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Kim.

Trump says Putin told him about invading Ukraine

Former US President Donald Trump, speaking at a town hall event in Oaks, Pennsylvania, asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had long wanted to invade Ukraine, but this was allegedly prevented during Trump's time in office due to his personal stance.

"I get along very well with Putin," Trump said, addressing a crowd of supporters, many wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. Commenting on Putin's decision to invade, Trump claimed, "It was the apple of his eye he used to talk about it, but I said 'you’re not going in.'"

Scholz admits to lacking clarity on Germany's support for Ukraine

In Germany, questions about the correctness of supporting Ukraine are increasingly being raised. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in an interview with Schweriner Volkszeitung that the government acknowledged that Germans were not explained why it is important to support Ukrainians.

“As Chancellor, I was simply asked why I didn't send more weapons to Ukraine sooner. However, the question of whether this is even right was hardly raised. And I forgot to explain why it is important to support Ukraine while staying balanced, without doing everything that some loudly demand,” Scholz said.

At the same time, the Chancellor emphasized that his position on supplying long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine and the use of German weapons for strikes deep into Russia has not changed.