US envoy Steve Witkoff called Vladimir Putin a “humanist” after an American was freed, despite ongoing Russian atrocities. Kyiv Post gathered 10 episodes that put the word “humanist” in context, from Bucha massacres to deadly strikes on children. kyivpost.com/post/87867#1-bu…

European media warned that Vladimir Putin is exploiting Donald Trump’s peace push to play for time and escalate against Ukraine. Commentators argue Moscow sees trilateral talks as a chance to divide Western allies without conceding on war aims. kyivpost.com/post/87876

Russia began using a new cruise missile called Filin that blends a Russian turbojet with US and Chinese electronics, HUR reported. The ground-launched weapon features 35 American and 22 Chinese parts, forming a cheap long-range strike system. kyivpost.com/post/87875

Russian forces suffered a record 2,250 casualties in 24 hours amid heavy infantry assaults in Donetsk, Ukraine’s General Staff said. Ukraine’s drone forces eliminated 680 troops in a single-day record, blunting attacks as Russian losses hit new highs. kyivpost.com/post/87872

Kyiv Post Special Correspondent Jason Jay Smart’s (@officejjsmart) international community has raised approximately €1 million to support Ukrainian troops, according to a conservative estimate by the European Resilience Initiative Center (ERIC). Donations have funded nearly 2,000 drones, as well as vehicles, electronic warfare equipment and other supplies for Ukrainian units. The initiative has brought together 8,585 donors from around the world. Smart mobilises support through his personal YouTube channel and international audience, while his partner Sergej Sumlenny and the ERIC team work to meet Ukrainian troops’ needs and deliver assistance. Smart also makes sure to be the first donor to every fundraising campaign, demonstrating his personal commitment to the initiative. “Reaching roughly €1 million is humbling, but what moves me most is the human side of it,” Jason Smart said. Service members of the 37th Separate Marine Brigade recorded a video thanking Jason Jay Smart and Sergej Sumlenny for their assistance, including the unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) provided to the unit. In the message, filmed beside the equipment, the marines explain its importance to their unit. “Behind the scenes, my own team, especially Mariana, Bohdan, and Dima, pours so much heart into supporting this work. They genuinely love engaging with the viewers and donors who make all of this possible,” Jason Smart said. “I want to thank every single donor from the bottom of my heart,” Jason Smart said. “By stepping up, you are actively helping Ukraine win and making the world a safer, better place.”

Volodymyr Zelensky said he did not expect a full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, citing the absence of preventive Western sanctions. Speaking on The Diary of a CEO, Zelensky described visiting liberated Bucha as his hardest day of the war. kyivpost.com/post/87878

Ukraine has received 252 bodies in a new repatriation operation, according to the country’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia says the remains belong to Ukrainian military personnel, but their identities must still be established through forensic examinations. kyivpost.com/post/87869

Russia has expanded air defenses around its Alabuga drone hub in Tatarstan, where journalists identified 33 defensive positions, roughly as many as around Putin’s Valdai residence. Satellite images show new towers and platforms. kyivpost.com/post/87865

Asked whether Putin is a “humanitarian,” Trump pointed only to the release of US detainee Stephen Hubbard, and declined to go further. The remark came after envoy Witkoff praised Putin as a “humanitarian,” drawing condemnation from Republican lawmakers. kyivpost.com/post/87845

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she believes Vladimir Putin may hold compromising material on President Donald Trump, possibly photographs or videos. Speaking on journalist Kara Swisher’s podcast, Clinton said she still believes such material may exist, but offered no evidence. She also repeated her description of Trump as Putin’s “willing puppet,” saying he helps the Russian leader. Separately, Clinton said the full release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein could shock even Trump’s supporters. She did not specify which documents she meant or provide evidence for her claims.

European leaders are weighing who should negotiate with Vladimir Putin as fears grow that the US could sideline Europe in a Ukraine peace deal. The Kremlin’s suggestion of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has sparked backlash, exposing divisions over who should represent Europe in potential talks. kyivpost.com/post/87842

Finland is preparing to rebuild its stockpile of anti-personnel landmines to defend its border with Russia after formally withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention. Helsinki cited the growing threat from Moscow as the reason for leaving the global landmine ban treaty. kyivpost.com/post/87841

Ukraine’s Khartiia Corps says Operation Veles used underground infrastructure to strike behind Russian lines and disrupt a threat to Kupiansk. The corps reported taking more than 30 Russian prisoners and called the manoeuvre the world’s first full-scale underground counteroffensive. kyivpost.com/post/87836

Republican Senator John Curtis criticized Trump’s Russia policy, warning that sanctions relief, purchases of Russian energy and restrictions affecting Ukraine’s military capabilities are emboldening Putin. “Capitulating to an authoritarian dictator shows weakness and sets back the cause of freedom,” Curtis said. kyivpost.com/post/87798

Russia’s overnight attack killed four civilians and injured at least 14 others in the Donetsk, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions, including two boys aged 10 and 13. Drone strikes also damaged civilian vehicles and buildings in Kharkiv and Sumy, while a warehouse fire broke out in the Kirovohrad region. kyivpost.com/post/87818

The Kremlin confirmed talks with Washington over sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil’s $22 billion in foreign assets. The US Treasury has extended authorization for negotiations over their sale until Nov. 21. kyivpost.com/post/87801

More than 600 Ukrainian drones targeted the Moscow region overnight, with 163 shot down on approach to the capital, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claims. Two people were injured near the city, while a Russian Defence Ministry weapons facility in Serpukhov was reportedly targeted.

Russia’s attack on Kyiv injured at least 15 people, including two children. The strike damaged an ambulance station building and six ambulances, as well as residential properties and civilian businesses. Rescue efforts are ongoing. kyivpost.com/post/87796

BREAKING: Russia has launched a missile attack on Kyiv, firing more than 10 ballistic missiles, reportedly including Iskander-M, Zircon, and S-400 missiles. The attack comes as Moscow signals its readiness to resume trilateral peace talks with Ukraine and the US.