Slovakian President's Office explains why it is withholding military aid to Ukraine

The Office of the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, had explained what her spokesman meant when he said that the president did not support the delivery of a new package of military aid to Ukraine due to a change in the government that is likely to oppose the provision of aid to Ukraine. Čaputová is currently conducting consultations.

"The current outgoing Slovakian government has constitutionally limited powers. The political parties currently negotiating the possible formation of a government are opposed to providing military aid to Ukraine," said Jana Kobzová, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the Slovak Republic.

For this reason, President Čaputová believes that the approval of a military aid package by the current outgoing government would create a risky precedent for a change of power after any future elections, the spokeswoman emphasized.

"President Čaputová is holding consultations with all political leaders regarding the formation of the future government and will continue to support the provision of military aid to Ukraine by any government that will have full powers," Kobzová said.

At the same time, Kobzová emphasized that the military aid provided by Slovakia to Ukraine is the largest the country has ever offered, and per person, is one of the largest provided by any country.

Russian morning attack on Kherson kills man and woman

Two people, a man and a woman aged approximately 50–55 years, were killed due to the morning attack by the Russian occupiers on residential areas in the center of Kherson.

The prosecutor's office reports that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation once again launched an artillery strike on the center of Kherson at around 09:30 on 5 October. Residential buildings, as well as non-residential premises, came under targeted fire.

Russians attacked an infrastructure facility in Kirovohrad Oblast at night

Russian forces attacked Kirovohrad Oblast with drones at night. The air defense system was activated, and nine drones were shot down. There was a hit on an infrastructure facility. There were no casualties or injuries. All relevant services are involved in extinguishing the fire.

Early reports indicate that the civilian infrastructure is not damaged.

Russians launched five airstrikes near Beryslav

The Russians launched five air strikes near the city of Beryslav. The information about the damage and casualties is being established. The air-raid warning was issued in Kherson Oblast from 12:10 to 12:42. The Ukrainian Air Force reported a threat of aircraft attacks. The activity of tactical aircraft was registered on the eastern and south-eastern fronts.

Russia transfers Black Sea Fleet vessels to avoid Ukrainian fire

Russian forces recently transferred several Black Sea Fleet ships from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to a port in Novorossiysk, Russia, likely in an attempt to safeguard the vessels from further Ukrainian strikes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Oct. 4 report.

According to satellite imagery from Oct. 1 and 3, the Russian military has moved at least ten vessels, including the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk.

The transfer reportedly includes three diesel submarines, five landing ships, and multiple small missile ships.

The ISW views the vessel transfer as a defensive move, though it noted that a Russian think tank, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, claimed the transfer was routine.

On Sept. 22, the Ukrainian military confirmed a successful strike on the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol. The attack was reportedly carried out with long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

On Oct. 3, U.K. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said Ukraine's attacks resulted in "the functional defeat" of the Russian fleet.

"Russian forces may be temporarily moving some vessels to Novorossiysk following multiple strikes on BSF assets in and near Sevastopol but will likely continue to use Sevastopol’s port, which remains the BSF’s base," the ISW said.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has actively blocked trade routes following the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, threatening global food supplies.