October 30 was marked by significant global and Ukrainian events. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year US-China trade truce. China will suspend export limits on rare earth metals, while the US reduces some tariffs. The sides also discussed chip exports and potential increases in US energy exports to China if Beijing reduces oil imports from Russia. All agreements are temporary.
Meanwhile, Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine, launching more than 700 missiles and drones; Ukrainian air defenses shot down over 620 targets. Key energy infrastructure was struck in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Vinnytsia regions, including the Burshtyn, Dobrotvir, and Ladyzhyn power plants. There were casualties, including a 7-year-old girl in Ladyzhyn.
Chernihiv's TV tower was damaged, and power issues continue in Russian-occupied Luhansk. There are reports of technical problems but no confirmed details on explosions or reasons.
Internationally, the China- and Brazil-led Friends of Peace group called at the UN General Assembly to end hostilities in Ukraine and criticized unilateral sanctions.
In Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, Russian troops claimed Ukrainian forces were encircled and invited journalists to verify; Ukraine’s General Staff denied these claims, though acknowledged difficult battlefield conditions.
In Kremenchuk, a man opened fire on military enlistment officers during a routine check, injuring two soldiers before being detained. In Odesa, civilians attacked enlistment officers with gas and batons; suspects are being identified.
Lukoil is selling its international assets to Gunvor Group, owned by an oligarch close to Putin. In Ukraine, former Ukrenergo head Volodymyr Kudrytskyi was released on bail, and former Odesa mayor Hennadii Trukhanov faces proposed house arrest for alleged negligence.
Polish border guards report over 50,000 Ukrainian young men crossed the border in two months. Debates on mobilization continue in Ukraine.
The Trump-Xi agreement may ease global political tensions, though it is only a temporary step.
