Execution of 16 Ukrainian POWs, capture of Vuhledar by Russians: October 1 highlights

Russia captured Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast

Russian troops occupied the town of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian units left the settlement. This was confirmed by hromadske’s sources in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade that defended the town.

On the morning of October 1, Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin, reported that fighting continues within the town. According to him, 107 people remained in Vuhledar. Earlier, Filashkin noted that they flatly refuse to leave. However, according to him, all the children were evacuated.

Russian soldiers executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war

Law enforcers began to investigate the alleged shooting by Russian troops of 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war near Pokrovsk.

This is the most massive known case of execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the front line.

Prosecutors have started a pre-trial investigation for violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder — Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense announced personnel and system changes

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed a submission to the Cabinet of Ministers on the dismissal of several of his deputies:

• Stanislav Hayder - he will take over the position of head of the Minister's Office;
• Oleksandr Serhiy;
• Yuriy Dzhyhyra, who was responsible for the economic component of the Ministry of Defense;

• Liudmyla Darahan, who was the state secretary of the Ministry of Defense.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the dismissal of deputies Hayder and Darahan. Umerov also announced again that the reforms will affect other state-owned enterprises — the Defense Procurement Agency and the State Logistics Operator.

At the same time, the NATO representation in Ukraine recalled that earlier Ukraine was recommended to be "kept separate, at least during wartime."

FT claimed that Sybiha is "more pragmatic" than Kuleba about territorial concessions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied it

The Financial Times, citing European diplomats who participated in the UN General Assembly in New York last week, wrote that Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed with Western colleagues the possibility of a compromise to settle the Russo-Ukrainian war. In this, he was allegedly "more pragmatic" than his predecessor, Dmytro Kuleba.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this claim and assured that at no meeting of the minister "there were no proposals, discussions or even hints of any territorial compromises." Instead, Sybiha's position is "unshakable" — no compromises regarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The government allowed military units to mobilize volunteers without recuitment centres

From now on, commanders of military units will be able to personally select reservists and conscripts who voluntarily wish to serve during mobilization, without the participation of territorial recruitment centers.

The ministry clarified that according to the government decree, from now on conscripts and volunteer reservists can choose a military unit for service without applying to territorial recruitment and social support centers.

Russia hit the market in Kherson

On the morning of October 1, Russian troops shelled the market in Kherson. As a result of the attack, it is known that six people died and five were injured.

Russian troops targeted the residential quarters of Zaporizhzhia

Russians shelled two districts of Zaporizhzhia. The enemy targeted residential quarters and infrastructure facilities, including a 15-story residential building. The attack partially destroyed upper floors and damaged facade of the building.

As a result of bombardment, 32 people were injured. One person was killed.

Other news

• Forced evacuation of families with children was announced from part of Sumy Oblast.
• Ukraine will produce 1.5 million drones by the end of the year and will certify UAV operator schools.
• The leader of militants in Donetsk Oblast, Denis Pushilin, is suspected of abducting Ukrainian children to Russia.
• A circus artist from Ukraine was excluded from a festival in Italy because she spoke out against a Russian on the jury who supports the war.
• The Polish defense minister, who did not want to see Ukraine in the EU because of the Volyn tragedy issue, called for Ukraine to become a member of NATO.