US President Donald Trump approved intelligence sharing with Ukraine for long-range strikes against legitimate military targets within Russia

The Wall Street Journal reported on October 1, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that President Donald Trump recently authorized U.S. intelligence agencies and the Pentagon to provide Ukraine with intelligence for long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. Washington has also asked NATO allies to expand similar intelligence support.

It remains unclear whether this approval also covers strikes on Russian military targets. U.S. officials told the WSJ that the administration is considering supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, Barracuda missiles, or other systems capable of ranges of about 500 miles, aligning with earlier reports that the Trump administration was weighing Tomahawk sales to Kyiv.

Ukraine returned 22 children from Russian-occupied territories

Ukraine has brought home 22 children taken from Russian-occupied areas, Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, announced on October 3. The rescue was carried out under President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative.

Since February 2022, at least 19,546 Ukrainian children have been abducted and transferred to Russian-controlled areas or Russia itself, according to Ukraine’s Children of War database. Ukrainian officials estimate the true number could be far higher—ranging from 150,000 to 300,000.

The latest group includes children like 10-year-old Damir, who was forced to study under the Russian curriculum and threatened with a false psychiatric diagnosis if he resisted, and 14-year-old Olivia, who faced constant humiliation in a Russian school because of her Ukrainian origin. Brothers Nazar, aged 16, and Zahar were also rescued after their family was persecuted for refusing Russian passports.

“All the rescued children are now safe in Ukraine-controlled territory, receiving psychological support and help with documents,” Yermak said.

Russia hit a passenger train in Sumy Oblast, injuring many civilians

Russia launched a strike on a railway station in the Shostka hromada of Sumy Oblast on October 4, targeting a passenger train on the Shostka-Kyiv route, Ukrainian officials reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said dozens of people were injured, including employees of Ukraine’s state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia and passengers. According to the Ministry of Development, the first strike hit a locomotive of the Tereshchynska–Novohrad-Siverskyi commuter train. As evacuees fled, a second strike hit the electric locomotive of the Kyiv–Shostka train.

Some victims have been hospitalized, while others are being cared for in shelters under the supervision of emergency services.