Ukraine's intel launches surprise operation in Pokrovsk, Germany delivers Patriot systems to Ukraine - Weekend brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
Over the weekend, Germany completed the transfer of the promised Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. A sudden special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate also began in Pokrovsk.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Stabilization efforts continue in Pokrovsk with intelligence units involved – Sources
The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry (HUR) is carrying out stabilization measures in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, sources told RBC-Ukraine.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces had “repelled an attempted landing by Ukraine’s special operations troops” near Pokrovsk. According to the Russian side, all 11 soldiers who allegedly landed from a helicopter were “eliminated.”
A source said that Russian propaganda reports about the destruction of a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit and the “encirclement” of the city are yet another lie by the occupying forces.
According to RBC-Ukraine, fighters from Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate are conducting a counteroffensive operation near Pokrovsk.
Ukraine receives German Patriot systems as talks continue on further air defense
Ukraine has received Patriot air defense systems from Germany, and talks to further strengthen the country's air defenses are ongoing, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense. I thank Germany and personally Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint step to protect human lives from Russian terror," Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian forces target Russian refinery in Krasnodar region - General Staff
On the night of November 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a fire strike on the infrastructure of the RN-Tuapse Oil Refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai.
According to preliminary data, the oil loading infrastructure of the federal-level seaport located on the Black Sea coast in Tuapse Bay was hit. This terminal is one of the largest in Russia and plays an important role in ensuring the export of oil products.
Türkiye offers to host new round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, at the TRT World Forum, stated that Türkiye is ready to once again act as a mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
According to him, Ankara is ready to host the fourth round of negotiations between the delegations of the two countries, as well as a potential leaders’ summit in Istanbul.
"We successfully facilitated their return to the negotiating table through the Istanbul process", said Fidan, adding that this included the exchange of prisoners and the restoration of direct dialogue between the parties. We sincerely believe that diplomacy remains the only way to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.
