Financing for Ukraine from IMF, explosions in western regions, military aid from NATO: the highlights of the day

Ukraine received $1.3 billion from the IMF

Ukraine received 1.3 billion dollars of additional emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

According to him, the funds will be used to finance priority needs: strengthening defense capabilities, paying pensions, and supporting social programs and the economy.

“In the near future, the Foundation and we will start work on the preparation of a new special program that will start next year,” he added.

Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are shortlisted for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Members of the European Parliament on the Foreign Affairs and Development Committees have chosen three finalists for the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. This is stated in the press release of the European Parliament.

Candidates for the award are:

• the brave people of Ukraine, represented by the elected president Volodymyr Zelenskyy;
• WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange;
• Colombia’s Truth Commission.

The people of Ukraine and President Zelenskyy were nominated for the award by the European People's Party. Such a decision was made because Russia's full-scale war is destroying Ukrainian cities and villages and killing Ukrainians. Despite this, the people are fighting to protect their homes, sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, freedom, democracy, and European values.

20 more Ukrainian soldiers were released from captivity

On October 13, Ukraine held another exchange of prisoners with Russia. Another 20 Ukrainian defenders are returning home. This was announced by the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak.

14 soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, four soldiers of the Territorial Defense, one National Guardsman, and a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were released from captivity.

“Everyone is happy to be in their native land. They were very much awaited at home. Wives and parents have waited for most of them, and many are awaited by their children,” Yermak wrote.

Explosions in several western regions of Ukraine

Explosions rang out in Ternopil, Chernivtsi, and Lviv Oblasts on the afternoon of October 13. This is reported in regional administrations.

In Lviv Oblast, one missile was shot down by air defense forces. Two more missiles hit one of the military facilities in Zolochiv Raion. This is the second hit on this facility: the military property is destroyed, but there are no victims.

In Chernivtsi Oblast, the air defense system was activated.

The sounds of explosions were also heard in Ternopil. The Regional Military Administration reported that the anti-aircraft defense had worked in one of the districts of the region. Specialists went to the place.

Ukraine will receive from allies 4 Hawk air defense systems and hundreds of drone jammers

Spain will hand over four Hawk air defense systems to Ukraine. Ukrainians will also receive hundreds of drone jammers from NATO.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference in Brussels. Information about the transfer of the Hawk from Spain was also confirmed by the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin.

Stoltenberg clarified that Ukraine will receive hundreds of drone jammers. They are supposed to make Russian and Iranian-made drones ineffective, as well as protect Ukrainian people and critical infrastructure.

Stoltenberg reminded that Ukraine also receives fuel, winter clothing, and medicines from NATO.