EU agreement on sanctions package, missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia Oblast: the highlights of the day

EU agreed on the 8th sanctions package against the Russian Federation

The countries of the European Union agreed on the eighth package of sanctions against Russia. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote about this on Twitter.

“I welcome the Member States’ agreement today on the 8th sanctions package. We have moved quickly and decisively. We will never accept Putin’s sham referenda nor any kind of annexation in Ukraine. We are determined to continue making the Kremlin pay,” the message reads.

And Radio Svoboda journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported that the EU ambassadors have so far approved all the details of the sanctions package against Russia and “launched the so-called written procedure that will finish at 10 tomorrow. So publication in the EU official journal some time tomorrow, October 6.”

Russians attacked Zaporizhzhia Oblast with missiles

On October 5, the Russian occupying forces launched missile attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The regional center was attacked with Iskander-K missiles, there is destruction. This was announced by the head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Starukh.

Infrastructure facilities were destroyed in Zaporizhzhia. One of the missiles was neutralized over the city by the air defense forces. Its fragments fell in various places in Zaporizhzhia.

As a result of the missile attack on Huliaipole, two men were killed - the deputy head of the local community, Oleksandr Savitskyi, and the head of the Blahoustriiservis UP, Oleksandr Kosarenko.

Ukraine applies to host the 2030 World Cup

Ukraine will join the joint bid of Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This was reported by the Ukrainian Football Association.

“The example of tenacity and resilience of the Ukrainian people is inspiring, so this initiative is aimed at contributing to the recovery of the country in the period of reconstruction thanks to the power of football,” says the press release of Ukraine, Spain, and Portugal.

The terms of Ukraine's participation in the application are planned to be discussed and determined later. The countries have already notified UEFA of their intention, which has approved the idea. Ukraine, Spain, and Portugal assured that their application will meet all criteria and deadlines for submission to FIFA.

Burials of civilians in Lyman

More than 50 burials with civilians were found in recently liberated Lyman, Donetsk Oblast. This was reported by our correspondent from the scene.

The Russians dug trenches and forced people they suspected of collaborating with the Ukrainian military to collect the bodies of the dead for reburial. Moreover, those who died as a result of shelling were sometimes buried by their neighbors.

More than 50 people are buried in this cemetery. Some burials are marked with name plates, and some are only numbered.

Putin signed a “decree” regarding the Zaporizhzhia NPP

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed a “decree” ordering the transfer of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under the management of the Russian Federation. The corresponding “decree” was published on the Russian official website of legal information.

“The Government of the Russian Federation shall ensure the acceptance into federal ownership of the objects of the atomic energy use of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other property necessary for its operation,” the “document” says.

IAEA Director General is going to Kyiv

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi announced on Twitter that he is going on a working visit to Kyiv.

“On our way to Kyiv for important meetings. The need for a Nuclear Safety and Security Protection Zone around Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is now more urgent than ever,” writes Grossi