275sq km reclaimed: Ukraine pushes Russian forces back as US support wavers
US support faces new strain
During the past week, the US relationship with Ukraine came under pressure after Trump lifted some oil sanctions against Russia. Ukraine also feared that access to US intelligence and satellite services had been restricted.
The article says Trump’s decision reversed the Lindsey Graham Act, which he had signed days earlier. The law gave him the ability to impose secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil.
Ukraine reported restrictions on its use of SpaceX satellite navigation services on October 14, the day Russia attacked electricity infrastructure. Zelenskyy said Russia’s actions showed “blatant disregard” for the United States. Elon Musk wrote that the US government controls Starshield and that decisions on limits rested with the US military and the president.
Satellite limits threaten defences
The article says Ukraine lost sight of interceptors above a certain speed, making it difficult or impossible to stop Russian Geran-4 drones, which can fly faster than 500 km/h (310mph). It warns that a prolonged navigation outage could be damaging given the scale of Russian aerial strikes.
Starshield also supports Ukrainian operations against Russian supply routes and military assets. Ukraine has targeted fuel trucks, bridges, ammunition warehouses and air defences.
Counteroffensive reclaims territory
Despite the setbacks, Ukraine continued to regain ground in Donetsk through Operation Vivaldi. Since August, the operation had reclaimed 275sq km (100sq miles) and 16 settlements, bringing Russia’s overall gains this year close to nil.
Casualties and strikes reported
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said its orders in 2026 were half again as high as in 2025, while delivery volumes were almost four times greater. On October 15, Ukraine destroyed four Sukhoi fighters and damaged two more at Borisoglebsk airfield in the Voronezh region. The strikes also disrupted online payments and other services in Russia, according to the article.
Key points
- Operation Vivaldi reclaimed 275sq km and 16 settlements in Donetsk since August.
- Ukraine reported satellite navigation restrictions as Russia attacked electricity infrastructure on October 14.
- Ukrainian strikes against Russian targets declined on October 14 and 15, according to military data.
- Ukraine said it destroyed four Sukhoi fighters and damaged two at Borisoglebsk airfield on October 15.