Conscription cancelled, recognition of Ichkeria's occupation, Russia's problems in Kherson Oblast: highlights of the day

Cancellation of conscription

On October 18, the Ukrainian parliament decided to abolish conscription for military service during martial law. It should be noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy cancelled conscription in spring and fall 2022 by separate decrees. The General Staff of the Armed Forces explained that due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, general mobilization was declared, so there was no need for conscription.

Recognition of the occupation of Ichkeria

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognized the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as temporarily occupied by Russia and condemned the genocide of the Chechen people. Ukrainian MPs believe that the approval of this resolution will emphasize support for the Chechens' aspiration for independence, and the condemnation of war crimes will contribute to historical justice.

Estonia recognizes Russian regime as terrorist

On October 18, the Estonian Parliament approved a statement in which it recognized the Russian regime as a terrorist one and condemned the annexation of Ukrainian territories. The statement was approved by 88 lawmakers. No one abstained or voted against. The MPs stated that Estonia will never recognize the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine as a result of aggression and sham referendums.

Cutting ties with Iran

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine initiated the severance of diplomatic relations with Iran against the background of massive Russian attacks on Ukraine with the use of Iranian weapons. Now the decision is up to the President.

"Difficult situation" in Kherson Oblast for the occupiers

The newly appointed commander of the occupation troops of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, announced a "difficult situation" on the Kherson axis. And the Russian proxy in the region Vladimir Saldo announced the "organized relocation" of the civilian population of Kherson Oblast to the left bank of the Dnipro River.

This "relocation" is justified by "the creation of large-scale defensive fortifications to repel any attack". Namely, the head of the occupation troops said that Ukraine is allegedly preparing a massive missile strike on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam and the city "without discrimination of targets".

Saldo said that the Russian government will provide certain housing certificates to the residents of the occupied region who decide to move further to the regions of Russia.

NATO to provide anti-drone equipment to Ukraine

In the coming days, NATO will provide Ukraine with anti-drone systems to counter, in particular, Iranian Shaheds. This was announced by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. On October 13, he announced that Ukraine would receive anti-drone systems with hundreds of devices for jamming drones.

Record bribe

Law enforcement officers exposed former MP Maksym Mykytas on an attempt to bribe the mayor of Dnipro for 22 million euros. This is one of the record amounts of offered undue advantage recorded by law enforcement in Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in October, the former MP offered Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov a bribe for concluding a contract for the construction of the Dnipro subway with companies controlled by him outside the competition.