Presentation of victory plan, US aid package and rally of families of soldiers gone missing in action: highlights for October 16

Zelenskyy presents a victory plan

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented his victory plan to the Verkhovna Rada. It consists of five points and three secret annexes.

According to him, if the plan is implemented, the war can be ended no later than the following year, 2025. He says the plan will help “force” Russia to participate in the second Peace Summit and be ready to end the war: “And this is not a freeze. And this is not a trade in territories or sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Help from partners

The United States announced another $425 million military aid package for Ukraine. In particular, it will strengthen air defense and provide the army with missiles and ammunition.

In addition, dozens of Australian Abrams tanks that were to be retired will be sent to Ukraine as part of a $245 million military support package.

France, on the other hand, has promised to supply Ukraine with kamikaze drones of its own production in the “coming weeks”.

Families of missing soldiers hold mass rally in Kyiv

In Kyiv, relatives and friends of prisoners of war and soldiers who disappeared during the fighting held a large-scale rally on Independence Square. They accuse the authorities of indifference and sending replies instead of providing answers.

The protesters held homemade posters, banners with the names and photos of the missing defenders, flags of Ukraine and symbols of the units in which their relatives serve. People from all over Ukraine gathered for the rally.

Ukrenergo official detained for “covering up” the consequences of shelling

The Security Service has detained one of the heads of Ukrenergo's security department, who was responsible for the protection of strategically important facilities of the United Energy System of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers published several excerpts from his conversations, where the official can be heard saying that he “hates these f*cking” Ukrainians.

Ukrenergo has suspended the employee from his duties since October 14 and is conducting an internal investigation.

49 prosecutors in Khmelnytskyi region were granted disabilities due to Krupa's scheme

Law enforcement agencies in the Khmelnytskyi region knew about a large-scale corruption scheme by the head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Center for Medical and Social Expertise, Tetiana Krupa, because they were accomplices in it, Censor.NET reports. Thus, 49 prosecutors, including the regional prosecutor, were able to obtain disability.

Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin signed an order to conduct an internal investigation.

Massive drone attack

On the night of October 16, Russia attacked Ukraine with 136 Shahed-type attack drones and various types of missiles. 68 drones were shot down. There was damage in two regions, but there were no casualties.

US says when the postponed Ramstein meeting will take place

The meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format at the level of leaders, which was postponed due to Hurricane Milton in the United States, will take place in November.

Other important news

• More than 160 people have been detained for car arsons in Ukraine: the SBU explains how Russian special services recruit Ukrainians.
• DIU soldiers liberated a forest in Kharkiv region and captured Russians.
• MP Odarchenko, who was caught taking bribes, says he left Ukraine because of a “threat to his life and health”.
• US Ambassador: Ukraine will not receive an invitation to join NATO in the near future.
• Zelenskyy: DPRK sends its people to Russia not only in the army but also at factories.
• Ukraine asks to send a monitoring mission to Odesa ports due to Russian strikes.