Crimean occupation authorities invited to UN forum, and Ukraine returns bodies of fallen defenders: highlights for November 8

Crimean occupation authorities invited to UN-supported forum

Representatives of the Russian occupation administration in the temporarily occupied Crimea were invited to a session of the World Urban Forum in Egypt. The forum is supported by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), so the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry considers this an “outrageous violation of international law”, in particular the UN resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Ukraine returns bodies of fallen defenders

Ukraine has returned the bodies of 563 fallen soldiers. In particular, 320 bodies of defenders who died in the Donetsk sector and 89 fallen soldiers from the Bakhmut sector were repatriated. They also managed to return 154 bodies from morgues in Russia.

Sternenko claims that Syrskyi is behind his search

Volunteer and blogger Serhii Sternenko said that his being put on the wanted list because he failed to appear at the territorial recruitment center when summoned is a “direct order” from the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, because he allegedly “took offense at the demands to carry out army reform”.

At the same time, the Odesa recruitment center denied “revenge” on Sternenko for his criticism and claimed that he was aware of the need to perform his duties as a person liable for military service.

Former Ambassador says Russia will try to assassinate Ukraine's leadership

Former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko said that over the next few months, Russia will intensify its attacks against Ukraine, including attempts to assassinate the Ukrainian leadership.

He also confirmed journalists' assessment that Russia will resume its efforts to destroy a significant part of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Trump appoints White House Chief of Staff

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed the first person to his new administration. Susie Wiles is set to become the chief of staff at the White House, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Wiles managed Trump's election campaigns in 2024, 2020, and 2016. White House chiefs of staff are the president's confidants and help implement his program.

Major General Marchenko resigns from the service

The well-known Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmytro Marchenko has announced his retirement from the service for health reasons. He is known for leading the successful defense of Mykolaiv in 2022.

In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of major general. The media called him a “reformer general” and “one of the main drivers of reforms in the logistics sector of the Armed Forces”.

HACC did not close the Rotterdam+ case

The High Anti-Corruption Court has refused to close the Rotterdam+ case on overpayment of more than UAH 39 billion for electricity in 2016-2019.

The defense, in particular, pointed to a violation of the non bis in idem principle, which prohibits repeated criminal prosecution for the same offense. However, the court denied the defense's motions.

Government approves draft state budget for 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft state budget for 2025 for the second reading. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal assured that despite certain changes, the priority in the state budget will be defense, defense capability, and security of Ukraine. It is proposed to allocate UAH 2.225 trillion for these needs.

Other important news

• The head of the MSEC, who demanded a bribe from a paralyzed soldier, was detained.
• Orban: Europe will not finance the “lost” war in Ukraine without Trump.
• An ex-policeman with accomplices pretended to be TRC employees, demanding “bribes” from men.
• Teachers' salaries will be higher in 2025.
• Shmyhal: There are no restrictions on firewood harvesting for people and there will be no restrictions.
• Axios: Elon Musk was involved in the first conversation between Zelenskyy and Trump after the election.