1/ A Russian soldier fighting in Chasiv Yar says that new recruits sent to the front die almost immediately, with his own unit taking over 90% casualties. The fields are strewn with rotting corpses. To avoid having to pay compensation to relatives, collecting IDs is banned. ⬇️ 2/ A soldier of the 88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade "Espanyola", called Ruslan, with the callsign "Rukha", has described conditions in the fighting for Chasiv Yar over the summer of 2025, in which thousands of Russians were killed and injured.

1/ The disgraced and jailed Russian general Timur Ivanov wants to go back to Ukraine to fight as a stormtrooper, according to his lawyer. The news has angered many Russian warbloggers, who suspect that he intends to bribe a unit to let him serve in safety in the rear. ⬇️ 2/ Ivanov's lawyer Denis Baluev says that his client has been working out hard while in pre-trial detention to get himself combat-ready: "That's why he's healthy. A fighter like him certainly wouldn't be out of place in the Special Military Operation!"

1/ THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, DAY 5

69 years ago today, Hungary was convulsed by a nationwide revolution against the Communist Party's dictatorial rule. Burned-out Soviet tanks littered the streets of Budapest as efforts continued to find a political solution to the uprising. 2/ By the fifth day of the Hungarian Revolution, the Hungarian Communist Party is in a dire situation. Violent measures taken by Party hardliners, the ÁVH secret police, and Soviet troops have failed to quell the revolution, and have only hardened the resolve of the insurgents.

1/ The battle for Pokrovsk is very different to the infamously bloody battle for Bakhmut two years ago, due to the presence of swarms of kamikaze and cargo drones. A commentary by a Russian warblogger highlights how urban warfare has changed. ⬇️

https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1982824152605261870

2/ 'Military Informant' comments on how "the current phase of military operations has also led to a significant change in the nature of urban warfare", which is the case for both sides in the ongoing battle:

1/ A French-Russian man said to be of interest to French investigators has denied any involvement in the Louvre jewellery heist and in previous antiquities thefts. He says that the FSB has warned him that France wants to put him on the wanted list for the Louvre theft. ⬇️ 2/ As previously reported, Pierre Malinowski is said to be a person of interest following the robbery on 18 October, in which eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels valued at €88 million were stolen from the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon.

https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1982400422733365647

1/ Russian warbloggers are angrily denouncing General Valery Gerasimov for blatantly lying to President Vladimir Putin about Russia's military progress in Ukraine during a televised briefing. They note that the incident highlights the persistent problem of false reporting. ⬇️ 2/ A few weeks ago, some observant commentators noticed that a map of the front lines seen in the background of a Russian Ministry of Defence video showed Russian positions kilometers further west than Russian or Ukrainian OSINT analysts had independently assessed them to be.

1/ Human trafficking is rife in Russian military recruitment offices, according to a Russian warblogger. Scammers and organised criminal groups are exploiting medically unfit men for profit and military units corruptly "sell" men to other units. ⬇️ 2/ Anastasia Kashevarova, who has campaigned for improvements to the conditions of Russian soldiers and their families, highlights how so-called "black recruiters" have exploited the generous enlistment bonuses on offer to new recruits to the Russian army.

1/ THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, DAY 4

69 years ago today, Hungary was engulfed in revolutionary fervour as the revolution that started in Budapest spread across the country. The previous day's massacre in Budapest had inflamed public opinion, leading thousands more to take up arms. 2/ By 26 October 1956, barricades have been erected in many parts of Budapest to block Soviet movements (the sign on this one says "RUSSIANS GO HOME"). Revolutionary insurgents continue to attack Soviet patrols with Molotov cocktails, adding to already heavy Soviet losses.

1/ French investigators are reportedly looking at a possible Russian connection to the Louvre theft. A French-Russian man is said to be suspected of masterminding art thefts in France and placing former mercenaries in French museums as security guards. ⬇️
2/ The VChK-OGPU Telegram channel reports that according to a source, French investigators have unofficially contacted Russian experts in antiquities crime in connection with the investigation of the theft of royal jewels from the Louvre.

1/ Russian soldiers say that the army isn't issuing them with fuel for combat operations. They are trying to buy it with their own money but are struggling to obtain it in Donetsk because only coupons are now being accepted as payment, due to the ongoing fuel shortages. ⬇️ 2/ In a series of short videos filmed at an RTK gas station in Donetsk city, a man records a gas station attendant refusing his request to buy 120 litre of gasoline, despite his pleas of military necessity and people outside selling gasoline illicitly for cash:

1/ THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, DAY 3

As midnight fell 69 years ago today, Hungary's revolution was ending its bloodiest day so far. The day saw intensified fighting between the streets of Budapest, a massacre at the Parliament, and attempts to find a political solution. 2/ The early morning of 25 October 1956 has seen continuing skirmishes between revolutionary insurgents, using Molotov cocktails and captured rifles, and Soviet patrols on the streets following the previous day's deployment to suppress the uprising.

1/ THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, DAY 2

69 years ago today, Hungary's revolution was entering its second day as the population revolted against the Communist government. This thread continues the day-by-day story of the revolution, as the Soviets became involved for the first time. 2/ (For day 1, see the thread below).

https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1981499282021810477

1/ THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, DAY 1:

69 years ago today, Hungary rose up against a tyrannical Communist government backed by the Soviet Union. With Hungary currently under another pro-Russian leader, the story of the Hungarian Revolution is still strongly relevant. 2/ Immediately prior to the revolution, Hungary's Stalinist regime was deeply unpopular. Hungary's economy was struggling, Communist leader Mátyás Rákosi had been deposed by the Soviets over destalinisation, and the many past abuses of the regime were becoming public knowledge.

1/ A Russian soldier says that every man in his unit has been ordered to shoot his comrades if they try to flee, or face being shot themselves as a punishment. He describes an atmosphere of paranoia amidst huge losses, which he puts at 95% of men going into assaults. ⬇️ 2/ The man says that he is from Altai Krai, where he was made to sign a contract to avoid going to trial for an unspecified offence for which he faced eight years' imprisonment. He has been serving in the army for six months and is currently a stormtrooper.

1/ A Russian city is literally drowning in human waste due to the failure of its sewage system. It's worn out but hasn't been replaced or repaired due to a lack of funding. It's a vivid illustration of the costs imposed by Russia's money being redirected to the war in Ukraine. ⬇️ 2/ Balakhna is an historic city of around 51,000 people, founded in 1474 on the banks of the Volga River about 32 kilometers (20 mi) north of Nizhny Novgorod. However, its underfunded sewage system has collapsed, with the result that "the city is literally flooded with shit".

1/ Russian forces are making extensive use of infiltration tactics in place of the notorious 'meat assaults', according to a new report by @jack_watling. However, a Russian warblogger says that this is costing 2 or 3 times as many cumulative casualties as massed assaults. ⬇️ 2/ The DShRG Rusich Telegram channel has published a video taken by a Russian soldier on an infiltration mission. He follows a path along a treeline which was used by many other Russian soldiers on similar missions – dozens of whom can be seen lying dead along the way.

1/ A Russian colonel reportedly died of cardiac arrest after it was discovered during a rotation that he had been lying to his superiors about his division's control of territory in the Kherson region. ⬇️ 2/ Colonel Alexey Vladlenovich Plisov, callsign 'Ryazan', was the commander of the Russian 70th Motor Rifle Division of the 18th Combined Arms Army. The division was located on the left bank of the Dnipro river.

1/ Russia is said to be lagging far behind Ukraine in drone production, with as many as 40 to 100 Ukrainian drones for every Russian one. An angry commentary from a Russian warblogger complains of an ongoing failure by Russia to produce enough drones for the front. ⬇️ 2/ 'Voenkor Kotenok' writes: "For those infinitely removed from the front line and who understand the war as a stream of official media reports, let me explain: at the moment, full-scale counter-attacks are taking place in many directions and sectors of the…

1/ Russian convicts are refusing en masse to join the army, according to the jailed Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin. In contrast to Yevgeny Prigozhin's recruitment campaigns in 2022-23, which attracted tens of thousands of recruits, distrust of the army is now said to be universal. ⬇️ 2/ Girkin, who was jailed last year, is reportedly being held in the IK-5 penal colony in Kirovo-Chepetsk in the Kirov region. The facility specialises in holding ex-security officials (Girkin is ex-FSB). As such it might normally be expected to provide plenty of army recruits.

1/ The constant presence of drones has fundamentally changed the nature of the war in Ukraine, according to Russian warblogger Alexander Kharchenko. The only way to survive is to stay underground, and it can take days to travel just a few kilometres. ⬇️ 2/ On his Telegram channel 'Witnesses of Bayraktar', Karchenko writes:

"Movement is life. In the Special Military Operation, this axiom has taken on new meaning. Just a year ago, you could zip into Novohrodivka on a motorcycle and be out before sunset."

1/ A truck crash in Ufa, in which 12 vehicles were struck and two people killed by a runaway Chinese-made construction truck, has highlighted concerns about Russia's widespread substitution of European vehicles with cheaper Chinese alternatives. ⬇️ 2/ The accident took place on 15 October 2025 at the intersection of Ufa Highway and Novozhenova Streets in Ufa in the Republic of Bashkortostan. According to local authorities, 11 passenger cars and a cargo truck were struck, killing two people and injuring six more.