Situation in the combat zone
On October 17, Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire four times. The Ukrainian troops incurred no casualties.
OSCE. On October 17, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) suspended operations in occupied Donetsk on security concerns. The decision follows the protests in Donetsk on October 15 and 16 staged by “DNR” supporters. They blocked the entrance to the Park Inn hotel housing the mission’s office.
Despite the suspended operations in occupied Donetsk, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine continues operations in the uncontrolled part of Luhansk region.
OSCE calls to remove obstacles to free movement of the mission’s monitors.
The OSCE SMM’s mandate dictates that the mission records facts and issues reports on principles of unbiasedness and transparency, the organization said in a statement.
Zelenskyi responds to Pandora Papers: admits use of offshore accounts, denies money laundering
Investigation by Slidstvo.Info based on the Pandora Papers showing that Zelenskyi and his inner circle had offshore companies revealed nothing new, President Zelenskyi said. He denied that he laundered funds.
“As a professional, I have to tell you that the story is mediocre. First, there is nothing new. It was déjà vu for me. In 2019, I saw same videos on television channels of oligarch Poroshenko. He understood that there was no actual dirt on me,” Zelenskyi said in an interview with ICTV television channel.
“Gladly, I saw nothing new. Apparently, since 2019, Petro (Poroshenko – edit.) found nothing against me as the President of Ukraine,” he added.
At the same time, Zelenskyi did not deny that in 2012, he used offshore companies. “In the times of Yanukovych, everyone restructured their businesses, especially media businesses. Absolutely all television channels established companies abroad. That was a chance to avoid political influence. ‘Kvartal 95’ had satire, and there was pressure, everyone wanted to influence it. The tax authority checked us weekly, if not daily. For the studio ‘Kvartal 95’ that was ‘business restructuring’, that’s what it was called,” Zelenskyi said.
Neither he, nor members of “Kvartal 95” laundered money, he underscored.
“Neither me, nor any member of the studio ‘Kvartal 95’ laundered money in 2012, or in any other time since 2012, or since 2001, or since 2019. We only made arts,” Zelenskyi said.
On October 3, Slidstvo.Info released a video of their investigation based on the global data leak Pandora Papers.
Leaked documents partly confirmed the scheme that structures of oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskyi used to transfer funds to offshore firms owned by Volodymyr Zelenskyi and his inner circle.
Nord Stream 2: first line filled with gas
The first line of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 was filled with so-called technical gas and is ready to operate, the pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG said as quoted by Yevropeiska Pravda.
The string was filled with 177 million cubic meters of gas, the operating pressure of the pipeline is 103 bar, the operator’s statement reads.
The pressure is enough to start flowing the gas. The second line of the pipeline is tested.
Nord Stream 2 needs to be certified as an independent operator to start flowing the gas from Russia.
The pipeline’s operator requested certification from the Germany’s Federal Network Agency on September 13. The Agency has four months to study the case.
The draft will then be considered by the European Commission in the course of two to four months.
Reaction from Ukraine. Naftogaz Ukraine PJSC appealed to the European Commission asking to join the debates over Nord Stream 2 certification as third party.
The European Commission hired an independent agency in the EU to analyze risks and threats from Nord Stream 2 in an effort to avoid prejudice from Ukraine.
How Russia destroys ecology in occupied Crimea
In a new infographic, UCMC’s Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group Looks at how Russia destroys the ecosystem in the illegally annexed peninsula.
How Ukraine is fighting COVID-19
The coronavirus situation in Ukraine nears critical levels. On October 17, Ukraine recorded 9,524 coronavirus cases, 177 deaths, and 3,421 recoveries. Hospitalized were 3,127 people with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
Last week, daily deaths were much higher and peaked at over 450 a day. Worst numbers are predicted from late October to early November.
Throughout the pandemic, Ukraine has reported 2,644,694 cases, 2,329,418 recoveries, and 60,810 deaths.
Vaccinations. Since the vaccinations began in Ukraine, 6,490,162 people have been fully immunized, and 7,956,095 people have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Tightened controls over coronavirus restrictions. As the coronavirus situation deteriorates, National Police, Health Ministry, and State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection will hold joint raids to enforce coronavirus restrictions, a joint statement said on October 13. They will check road carriers, cafes, restaurants, and clubs.
Coronavirus in occupied Crimea. On October 17, occupied Crimea breaks daily record with 597 new coronavirus cases.
Crimea set coronavirus record since the pandemic began, occupation health authorities reported. They recorded 11 deaths, and 31 recoveries. Throughout the pandemic, occupation authorities in Crimea have reported 88,243 cases, 74,049 recoveries, and 2,789 deaths.
