Ukraine Live Briefing: U.S. 'Concerned' Over North Korea Troops

RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western military aid to Kyiv, worldwide reaction, and the plight of civilians and refugees. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Latest Developments At A Glance

• U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on October 21 for talks with the Ukrainian leadership in a show of support for the embattled country as Russia kept up its attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.
• The possible deployment of North Korean soldiers to fight with invading Russian forces in Ukraine "demonstrates a certain weakness of Russia," says Gerry Connolly, a U.S. congressman (Democrat-Virginia) and acting president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
• Washington is "highly concerned" about reports that North Korean soldiers have been deployed alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, although it has so far been unable to verify the claims made by South Korea and Ukraine, a U.S. spokesman said.
• Defense chiefs from the Group of Seven (G7) developed economies vowed to support Ukraine's "irreversible path" to eventual NATO membership and pledged continued military support in the "short and long term" as Kyiv battles against Russia's full-scale invasion.
• U.S. Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya, during a visit to Kyiv, underscored "unwavering U.S. solidarity" with Ukraine against Moscow's aggression and vowed continued support for Kyiv's efforts to battle corruption at home.

Ukrainians Split On Zelenskiy's Peace Plan Potential

Residents of two Ukrainian cities -- Mykolayiv and Odesa -- shared their thoughts about President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's plan intended to make Russia stop its war against Ukraine. The president presented it to parliament on October 16. While some welcomed "any plan" that could end the war, others were less impressed with proposed steps that are supposed to make it happen.

Tense Times For Ukraine As Pressure Mounts On The Battlefield And Beyond

Russian forces push forward in the Donbas, diplomatic pressure on Kyiv increases, and the U.S. election looms. It's all adding up to one of the toughest points for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Read the story by Steve Gutterman here.

The Fall Of Vuhledar: What Does It Mean For Ukraine's Beleaguered Military?

Ukraine lost the Donbas coal-mining city of Vuhledar, amid a relentless, months-long offensive by Russian forces. It probably doesn’t herald the entire collapse of Ukrainian lines, but it’s definitely not a good sign. Read the report by Mike Eckel here.

What Do Ukrainians Expect From Zelenskiy's 'Victory Plan'?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to present his plan for victory in the war against Russia to U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to the United States this week. On September 19, RFE/RL asked people in two Ukrainian cities what they think the path to peace might look like. Report by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Will Ukraine Embrace Russian Refugees? Border Residents Are Not Excited

Skepticism prevailed in the Ukrainian border city of Sumy when locals were asked about government plans to accept refugees from Russia's Kursk region. Officials have said that civilians displaced by Ukraine's ongoing military incursion in Russia could be relocated and offered humanitarian aid. But one man speaking to RFE/RL on August 16 said: "Let their country protect them. We've got enough of our own suffering." Video report by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Why Is Ukraine Attacking Russia's Oil Refineries?

Russia said it would protect oil refineries better after several were struck by Ukrainian drones. Ukraine continues to hit the facilities, despite U.S. warnings against such attacks, as it launches larger and larger drone swarms. The strikes have decreased refinery output but beyond a morale boost for Ukraine, the effects are moderate so far. Read the story by Todd Prince here.

Interactive: Occupied, Militarized Crimea

As Ukrainian leaders vow to reclaim all territories seized by Russia, Moscow has prepared extensive defensive measures, particularly in Crimea, a region unlawfully annexed in 2014. This area, now under Russian occupation, has been heavily militarized with an array of air bases and army bases, making it one of the most fortified zones in the war. View the interactive map by Crimea.Realities, Schemes, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, and Central Newsroom here.