WAR IN UKRAINE: November 5, 2022
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 255
Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly approved the evacuation of civilians from parts of Russian-occupied Kherson in southern Ukraine. Kyiv's forces have been steadily advancing on the strategic port city. Mr Putin said people living in dangerous areas should leave as "the civilian population should not suffer” - BBC
Zelensky says he won’t participate in G20 summit if Putin attends. “My personal position, and the position of Ukraine, was that if the leader of Russia participates (in the summit), then Ukraine will not,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 3. Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin were both invited to participate in the summit - Kyiv Independent
Energoatom: Russia tries to connectZaporizhzhia nuclear plant to occupied territories. Russian forces at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will soon try to connect the plant's communication lines to annexed Crimea, occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, according to state nuclear operator Energoatom - Kyiv Independent
Convicted murderers and drug dealers who have recently left prison in Russia face being conscripted to fight in Ukraine under a change to the law. President Vladimir Putin amended the legislation on calling up reservists to include men convicted of serious crimes who recently left prison. Former prisoners convicted of sex crimes against children or terrorism are still excluded from serving - BBC
Air raid sirens could be heard in Odesa Friday night - even though Russia had said it’s recommitted itself to the Black Sea Grain Initiative deal. The Ukrainian port city is the home of three ports authorized to accept vessels for loading of foodstuffs for world markets.
The United States has announced an additional $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, including refurbishing T-72 tanks and missiles for HAWK air-defense systems for Kyiv. Meanwhile, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said during a visit to Kyiv on November 4 that the United States' support for Ukraine will remain "unwavering and unflinching" after the U.S. midterm elections on November 8.