It has been the 1336th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:
On October 21 there were 108 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders are holding the line and disrupting russians’ plans
Throughout the day, the enemy shelled the settlements of Novovasylivka, Vyntorivka, Bobylivka, Bila Bereza, Buniakyne, Mlushyne in Sumy region, as well as Khrinivka, Arkhypivka and Senkivka in Chernihiv region with artillery.
Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack. In addition, the enemy launched 6 airstrikes, dropping 15 guided bombs, and also carried out 76 shelling attacks, one of which was from multiple launch rocket systems.
Towards Southern Sloboda, the Defense Forces repelled 7 enemy attacks, one more combat clash is still ongoing. The enemy is carrying out attacks near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Zapadne, as well as towards Bolohivka and Kolodiazne. Kharkiv was shelled with guided bombs.
Towards Kupiansk, Ukrainian troops are repelling enemy offensive actions near Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, Nova Kruhliakivka, as well as towards Petropavlivka and Kurylivka. As for now, two enemy attacks are repelled, five more are still ongoing.
Towards Lyman, there were 10 combat clashes near the settlements of Kopanky, Karpivka, Serednie, Kolodiazi, Derylove, Myrne and Novoselivka. Three more battles are still ongoing.
Towards Sloviansk, russian troops attempted five times to advance on the Ukrainian positions near Serebrianka, Novoselivka, Vyimka and Pereizne. The Defence Forces stopped all the enemy attacks.
Towards Kramatorsk, there were no combat clashes reported.
Towards Kostiantynivka, the enemy carried out 20 attacks near the settlements of Bila Hora, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivkа, Rusyn Yar. As for now, battles are ongoing in two locations. Kostiantynivka was shelled with guided bombs.
Towards Pokrovsk, clashes of varying intensity broke out 45 times near the settlements of Nykanorivka, Maiak, Sukhetske, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, Mykolaivka, Promin, Lysivka, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, Kotliarivka, Horikhove and Dachne. Four battles are still ongoing.
Towards Oleksandrivka the aggressor attempted to advance near the settlements of Ivanivka, Filiia, Verbove, Novohryhorivka and Novomykolaivka six times. Two combat clashes are still ongoing. The aggressor launched air strikes on the settlements of Rivnopillia, Solodke, Malynivka.
Towards Huliaipole, Ukrainian troops repelled an enemy attack near Poltavka.
Towards Orikhivka, the enemy attempted five times to advance on the Ukrainian positions near Kamianske, Stepove, Stepnohirsk and Mala Tokmachka.
Towards Kherson, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations.
Ukrainian troops are wearing down the enemy along the entire frontline and in the rear.
Ukrainian parliament extends martial law and general mobilisation for another 90 days. A total of 317 MPs voted in favour of the extension of martial law, it will remain in effect until 3 February 2026. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted draft laws to the Parliament.
The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak reported that two young men aged 18 and 20 had been returned from the temporarily occupied territories to Ukraine.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
The head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Mykola Kalashnyk, reported that on the evening of 20 October, Slavutych was temporarily disconnected from the power grid as a result of russian shelling of energy infrastructure. The city’s water supply and sewage systems were switched to backup power. As of 13:00 on 21 October, energy workers had eliminated the consequences of the enemy attack and restored power supply to the city of Slavutych.
On 19 October, the final All-Ukrainian competition among veterans and military personnel, ‘Zvytyaga Neskorenyh – 2025’ (The Victory of the Unconquered – 2025), took place in Myronivka. Two hundred participants, mostly beginners, tested their skills in the sports competition. A national record was set during the competition: veterans from Kyiv oblast– Oleksiy Mishchenko, Ruslan Marushchak and Eduard Kulakov – together with their comrades pulled buses with passengers, setting a Ukrainian record.
An open regional archery tournament for veterans and people with disabilities, ‘Circle of the Unbreakable,’ was held in Bohuslav. The competition took place at the Kolos Stadium.
Zhytomyr oblast
In Korosten, 25 citizens received certificates for completing a national resistance training course. Military training was conducted from 13 to 18 October by instructors from the Zhytomyr Regional Centre for Training Citizens for National Resistance, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel, local volunteer fighters and invited specialists.
The Regional State Administration reported that, under the programme for reconstruction in Zhytomyr oblast, citizens have already submitted 1,638 applications for compensation for the restoration of housing that has suffered minor damage. The commissions have already processed and approved 1,174 decisions to grant compensation totalling UAH 112.3 million.
On 19 October, the Alley of Hope was opened in the centre of Malyn as a symbol of faith in the return of Ukrainian prisoners and missing defenders. The event brought together relatives and loved ones who came out to remind everyone that every missing person must be found and every prisoner must be returned home. In total, more than 150 people gathered.
Sumy oblast
On the morning of 21 October the General Staff reported that towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, six combat engagements took place over the past day. The russian army carried out nine airstrikes, dropped 25 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 173 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including seven using multiple launch rocket systems.
Between the morning of 20 October and the morning of 21 October 2025, russian forces launched 38 attacks on 18 settlements across eight territorial communities in Sumy oblast. Air-raid alerts in the region lasted for 12 hours and 33 minutes. The highest number of strikes occurred in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy actively used guided aerial bombs (over 20 strikes), launched four missile attacks, and carried out FPV drone strikes. A civilian infrastructure facility was damaged in Mykolaivka rural community as a result of the russian attack.
In Sumy oblast, a commemorative book titled Lives Cut Short by War has been published in honour of fallen defenders. The book was presented in Krolevets by its author, local writer Mykola Kaliuk. The idea for the book came from the author, who personally knew many of the Heroes — friends, neighbours, and fellow townspeople. Since 2023, he has been publishing their stories in Krolevetskyi Visnyk newspaper and later became the initiator and coordinator of the “Defender” project.
Chernihiv oblast
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the Regional Military Administration said that in the afternoon of 21 October, russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Novhorod-Siverskyi, with around 20 strikes recorded. Four people were killed — two civilian men and two women — and seven others were injured, including a 10-year-old girl. According to him, the city suffered extensive destruction.
Oleksandr Seliverstov, Head of Novhorod-Siverskyi Regional Military Administration reported that on 21 October, the enemy also attacked the centre of Semenivka by drones. An administrative building was hit, and a subsequent FPV drone strike damaged a service vehicle.
Chernihiv oblast came under a massive assault by russian strike drones. According to consolidated data from Air Defence and Defence Forces, 51 aerial targets were detected over the past day, including two ballistic missiles.
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the Regional Military Administration informed that during the night of 21 October, russian forces attacked a heating facility and an energy infrastructure site in two communities of Chernihiv region. As a result, emergency power outages were introduced in the region. Energy crews are working to restore supply, critical infrastructure has been switched to generators, and resilience centres have been partially deployed.
According to the Regional Military Administration reported that on 20 October, a russian drone strike on an energy facility left the northern part of Chernihiv oblast without electricity. Critical infrastructure in one of the local communities was damaged.
The City Council reported that as of the morning of 21 October, Chernihiv is experiencing a complete blackout. The city is operating without electricity, with heating being restored to municipal and regional healthcare facilities and kindergartens using alternative power sources. From 20 to 24 October, schools are conducting classes remotely.
The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine informed that due to the ongoing russian drone terror, emergency energy crews have been unable to begin restoration work in Chernihiv oblast.
The Regional Military Administration stated that three mobile operators are engaging support from other regions to stabilise mobile and internet services in Chernihiv oblast after the russian attack on the night of 21 October. Chernihiv and northern communities have been without power for more than 12 hours, while some mobile towers continue to operate on battery backup.
According to Chernihiv Border Detachment, throughout 20 October, russian forces attacked the border communities of Semenivka and Snovsk. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (12 explosions), launched one Molniya-type drone attack, conducted 16 FPV drone strikes, and dropped one explosive device from a UAV. Four settlements came under enemy fire, including Semenivka town.
Valerii Dudko, Director of the Regional Department of Finance reported that over the first nine months of 2025, local budgets in Chernihiv oblast allocated UAH 1b. to support Ukraine’s Defence Forces — accounting for 12.3% of general fund revenues.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Air defence forces were active in the oblast, shooting down six enemy drones.
The enemy attacked Pavlohrad region by drones. In Bohdanivka community, a fire broke out — an outbuilding burned down, and a private house and another structure were partially destroyed. A truck and a car were damaged.
The occupiers also continued strikes on Nikopol area, targeting Pokrovske and Myrove communities by drones. A garage caught fire, and a private house and a car were damaged.
Attacks were also carried out on Synelnykove region. Drones targeted Dubovyky and Pokrovske communities, causing fires that destroyed two outbuildings and damaged four private houses, a car, and a gas pipeline.
Nikopol area came under roughly 25 attacks as the occupiers shelled it by drones and artillery, targeting the regional centre as well as Pokrovske and Myrove communities. In Nikopol, a 66-year-old woman was injured and received medical care. Fires broke out, damaging four apartment buildings, two cars, a gas pipeline, and local infrastructure.
The russian army also struck Synelnykove region, launching a guided aerial bomb at Pokrovske community.
Vinnytsia oblast
Serhii Morhunov, Vinnytsia Mayor, reported that Vinnytsia oblast has delivered 250 FPV drones and five Matrice 4T units to Ukrainian defenders. The equipment will strengthen the Azov Regiment and the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade.
Serhii Morhunov, Mayorof Vinnytsia, said that two kindergartens — No. 20 and No. 42 — are now operating offline thanks to newly built radiation shelters. During air raids, the shelters can accommodate up to 290 people. Each facility is fully autonomous, equipped with multiple exits, ventilation, lighting, and sanitation facilities, as well as a medical post, food area, internet access, furniture, and toys. These shelters are among 12 new radiation-protected facilities constructed in the community since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Kirovohrad oblast
Oleksandr Chelnyk, Director of the Municipal Heating Company Teploenergetyk, reported that in Kropyvnytskyi, five solid-fuel boiler plants are being tested. They were installed to provide heating for hospitals in case of emergencies during the heating season — such as accidents, prolonged power outages, or gas shortages. The boiler units were received as international humanitarian aid after the start of the full-scale invasion. Test runs are currently underway.
Poltava oblast
In Poltava, five vehicles were handed over to four military units — including ambulances, a mobile dental clinic, and off-road vehicles. They were purchased by Oleg Lysenko, a musician from the Netherlands originally from Poltava oblast. It took him four months to raise the necessary EUR 75,000 to buy and equip the vehicles.
Senior soldier Hryhorii Pelykh from Karlivka community was killed on 17 October while carrying out a combat mission near Borivska Andriivka village in Kharkiv oblast.
In Poltava, a memorial plaque was unveiled on the facade of Lyceum No. 38 named after Ivan Pavlovskyi in honour of Armed Forces soldier Volodymyr Marienko. Volodymyr was killed on 22 January 2025 while performing a combat mission in the north-eastern direction. For personal bravery and dedication to Ukraine, Volodymyr Marienko was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of the Regional Military Administration informed that during the night of 21 October, the russian army attacked critical infrastructure in Smila town. Local residents reported hearing 17 explosions. Nine apartment buildings and 10 private houses were damaged, with 54 windows and nine roofs destroyed. Drone debris also damaged a street transformer, leaving more than 150 customers without electricity.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
Lviv Choir Homin thanks to donations from concertgoers purchased cars for the military. The 1st 25 cars have already been sent from Lutsk to various destinations.
Zakarpattia oblast
Zakarpattion Prayer Breakfast gathered in Uzhgorod representatives of various confessions and religious communities not only from Ukraine but also from abroad, regional and city authorities, people’s deputies, military, volunteers, diplomats. The event was also attended by distinguished guests – Jim Slattery, Chairman of the US Congressmen’s Association and Michael Zhovner, Coordinator of Ukrainian delegations at the National Prayer Breakfast, founder and Executive Director of American-Ukrainian meetings within the framework of the National Prayer Breakfast.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Fiber optic coils were provided to the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade from Ivano-Frankivsk community.
Lviv oblast
Belz City Council sent 3 DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise (Thermal) quadcopters, a Delta PVS14 Gen3 night vision monocular, 2 Adaptis-Mini One Mini satellite communication kits and a Starlink Mini kit worth over UAH 905,000 to the Military Unit 9938 (the 3rd border detachment named after Hero of Ukraine Colonel E. Pikus).
Rivne oblast
The RMA reported that 52 children from Rivne oblast went to Artek for rehabilitation. These are children of military personnel, orphans, and those with disabilities.
Ternopil oblast
An informational and sports event for veterans dedicated to adaptive sports was held in Ternopil. Several such sports are already presented in Ternopil: ampfootball, sitting volleyball, archery, bocce, petanque. This time, veterans had the opportunity to try wheelchair basketball.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Recently, a flower shop called Kohana opened in Khmelnytskyi. Marharita Dotsenko opened it in memory of her husband, volunteer Iliia Dotsenko (call sign Hrek), who was killed in the war. She received funds for the business as part of a grant support from the state.
Chernivtsi oblast
The RMA reported that for courage and heroism shown in defending the state, soldier Serhii Buchatsky was awarded with the III degree Order of Courage (posthumously).
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Ukrainian defense companies will launch production in Denmark . The memorandum also provides for the creation of joint production facilities, exchange of technologies and attraction of EU funding for the implementation of joint defense projects.
The EU will allocate an additional EUR 100m in winter aid to Ukraine.
Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia
Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova
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