In January the Ukrainian 93rd Brigade gifted me a bottle of wine that was crafted in the caverns of Bakhmut and evacuated before the city fell. Today, we're returning that favor. We've committed to $250k for the 93rd and three other units serving in the east. To do this, we've teamed up with Brave Selections, where 100% of profits in October go to support these warriors. "For more than a century, Artwinery made sparkling wine in the gypsum caverns beneath Bakhmut. When the city came under siege, the 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” was among the units that held it. Under the brigade’s protection, Artwinery’s own people carried the last bottles out of the caverns before the city fell. Those bottles are the last that will ever be made there." 1/5 eu2.artwine.com/

Pretty significant. In a normal world this would highlight Ukraine as the nation seeking peace while Russia still wants more territory.

"The fields on the outskirts of Dobropillia. In the USA, the EU, and China, people also watch these videos – and that's why they take us less and less seriously." -Russian milblogger Maxim Kalashnikov

From the Putin-Witkoff meeting per TASS -Russia could supply fertilizers in large quantities to the American market -Putin noted that he is interested in assessments of the situation surrounding Iran and that Russia is ready to help resolve the conflict t.me/tass_agency/401464

When the battlefield became transparent, the war went underground. Khartiia Corps, together with other Defense Forces units, is conducting the underground Operation VELES, and for the first time, we can show the work of our brothers-in-arms in this new dimension of warfare. “We have unique people. We are an undefeatable nation,” – commander of the Khartiia Corps, Brigadier General Ihor Obolenskyi. More to come. Stay tuned for VELES.

"President Volodymyr Zelensky's trust rating rose by 14 percentage points after U.S. President Donald Trump began his pressure campaign against Ukraine, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on Oct. 20." kyivindependent.com/zelensky…

Still sourced from a bunch of 'unnamed officials familiar with the matter' but notable that still nobody has owned up to and defended this decision.

"Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of a military-grade version of Starlink relied on by Ukraine Some U.S. officials say that Musk acted unilaterally and that Trump didn’t specifically order any retribution against Ukraine. But a person familiar with the situation said Musk talked to multiple senior administration officials, including with Trump, before imposing the new speed cap, which Ukrainian officials said had allowed Russian missiles to evade their defenses." wsj.com/world/ukraine-starli…

"Never in our history have Iran and Russia worked as closely as now." -Iranian Foreign Minister

"WHEN THE BATTLEFIELD BECAME TRANSPARENT THE WAR HAS MOVED UNDERGROUND"

"Support for Ukraine against Russia remains a perplexingly divisive issue, even across Europe. Why perplexing? Because, at this point, helping the Ukrainians achieve victory would cost relatively little, yet the West remains timid. There were reasonable people making reasonable criticisms. But the criticisms are no longer valid. The financing now required to assist Ukraine is minimal. This is one of the easiest geopolitical calculations of our lifetime. It is time to act upon it." Segments from @DanCrenshawTX in a new WashPo opinion piece wapo.st/47tFOyU

Ukrainian soldier rocking a Royal Marines Commando tab

I spoke with Marco Rubio @SecRubio, and it was a substantive conversation – focused on the issues that matter. I am grateful for his readiness to help and his clear position. First, ballistic missile interceptors, which are needed to protect lives. Second, early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, which is vital. Third, the situation with Starlink/Starshield, which needs to be restored. Of course, all of this comes against the backdrop of our diplomatic efforts to end this horrific war and the constant killing of people. We agreed to get in touch again soon for an update. Thank you, Marco, for the constructive discussion! Thank you to everyone in America who supports fair approaches!

“Russia frankly has been fine on Ukraine. They haven’t been doing much.”

A horrific Russian strike in the Kharkiv region. A “shahed” struck people directly – in a park near an ordinary café. Pure atrocity. Six people were killed, including children. A little girl was killed in a stroller – her name was Angelina, she was just over a year old, born in August 2025… Her mother’s name was Inna. She died in the hospital… Another girl who was killed was 11 years old. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Another 14 people were injured, including six more children. I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine under these circumstances and helps us shoot down “shaheds,” shoot down missiles, and stop Russian assaults. These are horrific photos, but behind them are shattered lives and the truth about this war. Lives must be protected. Ukraine needs air defense. You can't think about making money with Russia as long as it continues its asinine war. We ask that sanctions on Russia stay in place as long as the killings continue. We ask America to be strong, and we ask it to apply the Lindsey Graham law. We ask Europe to continue its support. We ask that everything possible be done to bring peace and guarantee security. Ukraine wants peace. It is Russia that has insisted on continuing the killing all this time. The world has enough strength to stop the war. That strength must finally be used – against the murderers.

Ukraine recovered a disabled Russian T-72 tank. They say it had only a faulty track, is currently undergoing repairs and then will be put back into the fight against the Russians.

Russian milblogger Romanov says mid range strikes in the occupied territories have slowed for the second day in a row likely as a result of Starlink/Starshield interruptions.