(Bloomberg) — The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to backers of human rights in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, collectively cited by the Nobel committee for their “outstanding effort to document war crimes, human right abuses and the abuse of power.”
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President Joe Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warnings that he may resort to deploying tactical nuclear weapons must be taken seriously. The US is trying to find an “off-ramp” for Putin, Biden said, adding, “Where does he get off? Where does he find a way out?”
Ukraine’s president met with the head of the UN atomic agency to discuss the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant situation and later said Russia’s bid to take “alleged ownership” was “stupid.” Moscow’s forces followed up deadly rocket strikes on the city of Zaporizhzhia, about 52 kilometers (32 miles) from the namesake nuclear plant, with attacks from Iranian-made drones.
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Key Developments
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Human Rights Champions Win Nobel Peace Prize as War Rages
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Oil Poised for Biggest Weekly Rally Since March on OPEC+ Move
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Biden Says Putin Threats Real, Could Spark Nuclear ‘Armageddon’
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Two Russians Fleeing Putin’s Conscription Seek Alaska Refuge
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Kremlin Lets State Media Tell Some Truth on Putin’s Stalling War
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European Gas Prices Ease as Bloc Seeks to Blunt Energy Crisis
On the Ground
Moscow’s troops are likely establishing defensive positions in the upper Kherson region following the collapse of the Russian line in northeast Kherson, the US-based Institute for the Study of War said. Russian forces continued to conduct routine artillery, air, and missile strikes west of Hulyaipole, and in Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions on Thursday. In the past 24 hours, Russia has carried out eight missile and 15 air strikes. The city of Zaporizhzhia was attacked on Thursday night by Iranian-made drones, with infrastructure damaged in two districts, according to regional governor.
(All times CET)
Russia Demands Involvement in Nord Stream Leak Investigation (11:36 a.m.)
Russia has sent a letter to Sweden demanding its authorities and state-owned gas company Gazprom PJSC should be included in the investigation of the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines, newspaper Expressen reported.
The letter comes a day after Swedish public prosecutors and the security service concluded that the two Nord Stream leaks in the country’s exclusive economic zone were caused by detonations.
Read more: Russia Demands Involvement in Nord Stream Leak Investigation
Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Activists in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia (11 a.m.)
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2022 was awarded to a human rights activist from Belarus, Ales Bialiatski, who’s currently in detention, along with the Russian rights organization Memorial and Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties.
“They have made an outstanding effort to document war crimes, human right abuses and the abuse of power,” said Berit Reiss-Andersen, head of Norway’s Nobel committee said. “Together they demonstrate the significance of civil society for peace and democracy.”
Memorial, a group founded by Soviet-era dissidents including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was shut down earlier this year on the grounds that it failed to identify itself as a “foreign agent” under Russian law.
Read more: Human Rights Champions Win Nobel Peace Prize as War Rages
Insider Confronted Putin About War, Washington Post Reports (9 a.m.)
One of Putin’s inner circle recently confronted him over his handling of the war in Ukraine, the Washington Post reported, citing information obtained by US intelligence.
The development was considered significant enough to be included in President Joe Biden’s daily intelligence briefing, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The person’s discontent was said to be related to “mistakes being made by those executing the military campaign,” Post reported. A spokesperson for the National Security Council declined to comment to the newspaper.
Zelenskiy Vows Zaporizhzhia Atomic Plant to Remain in Ukraine’s Hands (8:20 a.m.)
Ukraine’s president said attempts by Russia to claim ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are “frankly speaking, stupid,” a day after Russia’s Vladimir Putin ordered his government to take ownership of the facility.
“Only Ukrainian specialists can guarantee that there will be no radiation incidents at the Zaporizhzhia station,” Zelenskiy said in a nightly address to the nation.
Ukraine’s leader discussed the Zaporizhzhia situation with Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, at a meeting Thursday in Kyiv. He said Ukraine is “waiting for a tough statement” from the UN agency on Putin’s “raiding” of the plant.
Ukraine May Have Captured 440 Russian Battle Tanks, UK Says (7:30 a.m.)
Ukraine has likely captured at least 440 Russian main battle tanks and some 650 other armored vehicles since February’s invasion, the UK defense ministry said.
“Over half of Ukraine’s currently fielded tank fleet potentially consists of captured vehicles,” the UK said, adding that poor training and discipline had resulted in Russian troops leaving “intact equipment” behind.
North Korea’s Kim Lauds Putin’s 70th Birthday (6:49 a.m.)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent birthday greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, praising Moscow and bashing the US.
“Russia is reliably defending the dignity of the state and its fundamental interests from the challenges and threats by the U.S. and its vassal forces,” the state’s official Korean Central News Agency cited Kim’s message to Putin as saying.
North Korea has backed Russia’s territorial claims in Ukraine. Meanwhile, US officials said last month it suspects Russia is looking to buy rockets and artillery shells from North Korea to help with its war in Ukraine. Pyongyang has denied selling weapons and blasted the US for spreading “rumors. “
Biden Says US Trying to Find ‘Off-Ramp’ for Putin (3:55 a.m.)
Biden said the US is trying to find an “off-ramp” for Putin and worries that his threats to use tactical nuclear weapons are real and could lead to “Armageddon.”
“We’re trying to figure out what is Putin’s off-ramp? Where does he get off? Where does he find a way out?” Biden said Thursday at a fundraiser in New York City. “Where does he find himself in a position that he does not, not only lose face but lose significant power in Russia?”
“He is not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological and chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly under-performing,” Biden added.
Two Russians Seek Refuge in Alaska, Fleeing Conscription (9:46 p.m.)
Two Russians are seeking refuge in the US after fleeing to Alaska to avoid military conscription for the war in Ukraine.
The pair arrived Oct. 4, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. According to a spokesman, they were brought to Anchorage where their claims under US immigration law will be processed.
“This incident makes two things clear: First, the Russian people don’t want to fight Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Senator Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, said in a statement. “Second, given Alaska’s proximity to Russia, our state has a vital role to play in securing America’s national security.”
Zelenskiy Urges IAEA Chief to Condemn Russian Claim to Nuclear Plant (8:01 p.m.)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he urged Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to condemn Russia’s move to take formal ownership of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russian troops have been occupying since March.
“We have been waiting for a tough IAEA’s statement, the society’s waiting too,” Zelenskiy said after meeting with Grossi in Kyiv. The president also wants to resume the plant’s operation, which would allow the government to ensure the electricity supply to Ukrainian and European customers.
Grossi will also visit Russia as the IAEA pushes for a safety zone around the nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
Ukraine Picks Successor to Central Bank Chief Accused of Graft (7:55 p.m.)
Ukraine tapped a former bank chief to replace central bank Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko, who said anti-graft authorities had accused him in an embezzlement case. Zelenskiy nominated Andriy Pyshnyi, formerly the chief executive of government-controlled lender Oschadbank and a politician, to take over from Shevchenko.
Earlier, the anti-corruption bureau said it sent a notice of suspicion in an embezzlement case to an unnamed senior official involved in an alleged scheme to siphon 206 million hryvnia ($5.6 million) from a state-run lender. Shevchenko, who resigned Tuesday citing health reasons, denied wrongdoing, calling the investigation politically motivated.
Ex-Banker Pyshnyi Top Candidate for Ukraine Central Bank (2:30 p.m.)
The nomination of Andriy Pyshnyi, formerly the chief executive officer of government-controlled lender Oschadbank and a politician, is to be submitted to parliament on Friday. He is the top candidate to take over Ukraine’s central bank after Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko unexpectedly resigned this week.
Ex-Banker Pyshnyi Top Candidate for Ukrainian Central Bank Chief
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