Ukraine–Russia military exchange, Putin's challenge to Trump - Thursday brief

Ukraine and Russia carry out new prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia, on Thursday, October 2, carried out another exchange of prisoners of war. 185 Ukrainian defenders returned home.

"We are bringing home 185 of our defenders from Russian captivity. One hundred eighty-three are enlisted personnel and sergeants, and two are officers," the President stated.

Putin hits back at Trump over 'paper tiger' comments

Russian President Vladimir Putin was outraged by comments that Russia is a "paper tiger", according to Putin's speech at the Valdai Club.

The Russian leader insisted that Russia is not a "paper tiger," as US President Donald Trump called it. He even compared Russia to NATO, effectively challenging Western countries and the American President.

"If Russia is a paper tiger, then what is NATO?.. Go ahead and try to deal with the paper tiger," Putin said.

Zelenskyy hails productive talks with US on long-range arms

The US and Ukraine are discussing the supply of long-range weapon systems. The outcome will depend on the decision of the American side, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ahead of the Seventh Summit of the European Political Community.

Zelenskyy commented on the possibility of receiving intelligence from the US for long-range missile strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure and noted that everything depends on the decision of US President Donald Trump.

No power supply means nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia NPP - Nuclear Regulatory Agency

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been without electricity for nine days. If it is not urgently restored, a nuclear catastrophe will occur.

Due to the damage of a 750-kilovolt line in the area of the Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant by Russia, Zaporizhzhia NPP has been without electricity for nine days already. The damaged line is located on Russian-occupied territory.