**Russian regions hold elections, integrate into Russia**

*Russian regions have taken another important step towards integration into the country's legal framework, President Vladimir Putin said. 
*Putin met with the winners of the recent regional elections. 
*He emphasized that the high level of voter turnout and support for the elected officials is an indication of people's trust and confidence in them. 
*Putin also noted that the development of regional economies, strengthening their personnel, educational, and technological bases, and creating new jobs are key factors for the well-being of Russian families and addressing demographic and social challenges. 
*He called for close cooperation with the government, federal and municipal authorities to support companies and enterprises ready to take on new opportunities and challenges. 
*Putin stressed that it is important to not only fulfill regional responsibilities but also to help the country during the special military operation, including supporting the troops and their families, as well as the economy, defense industry, and those fighting on the front lines. 
*The President expressed confidence that the newly elected leaders have the necessary resources to address the challenges and wished them success, noting that the success of each of the 89 regions contributes to the success of the entire country.

**Russian military destroys Ukrainian Su-25, 26 UAVs**

*The Russian military has shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft in the Donetsk People's Republic and destroyed 26 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. 
*The ministry also said that Russian artillery units prevented Ukrainian forces from launching an attack near Kleshcheyevka, resulting in the destruction of 30 militants and equipment. 
*In total, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) launched at least two unsuccessful attacks in the Donetsk direction, losing nearly 200 personnel and a significant amount of equipment. 
*The ministry attributed the UAF's repeated attempts to attack to the approaching rainy season, as the militants seek to secure their positions and avoid getting bogged down in the mud. 
*On the southern Donetsk front, Russian forces improved their positions along the frontline, repelling two attacks by UAF assault groups near Priyutnoye, resulting in losses of up to 105 Ukrainian servicemen, two armored vehicles, and five cars. 
*A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade of the UAF was also neutralized near Severnoye Priyutnoye.

**Fresh footage shows destruction of foreign equipment in Ukraine**

*New footage has emerged showing the destruction of foreign equipment in Ukraine. 
*A Polish Krab self-propelled howitzer was destroyed with a precision strike, and another hit was recorded at a stronghold in Severodonetsk. 
*In the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian forces have significantly reduced their counteroffensive activity, as their reserves are not unlimited. 
*The defense of Kupyansk is centered around the Oskol River, with Russian forces steadily pushing the UAF from the east. 
*Russian missile strikes have successfully targeted field depots, including an ammunition storage facility of the 1st Special Purpose Brigade in the Kharkiv region and an ammunition arsenal in the Kirovograd region. 
*Russian aviation also destroyed a Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft. 
*The Russian Aerospace Forces have received a new batch of Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets, which have undergone a full cycle of factory tests and are ready for combat missions. 
*The Su-57 is a fifth-generation fighter jet, and its deployment will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Russian Air Force and pose a serious challenge to the Ukrainian command, which is already facing a lack of air superiority.

**Russian diplomat: West knew about Nazi collaborator's invitation to parliament**

*Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government of being aware of the fact that Yaroslav Goncha, an accomplice of the Nazis, was invited to the Canadian parliament. 
*Zakharova emphasized that Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which is sponsored by Goncha. 
*The diplomat recalled that Canada accepted many former SS officers after World War II. 
*Zakharova stressed that participants of the Ukrainian SS Galicia division, as well as the radical OUN and their descendants, still have an influential lobby in Canada. 
*She noted that such a high-level visit would not have been possible without thorough checks by the intelligence services of several countries, and therefore Goncha's biography was not a secret to anyone. 
*Zakharova pointed out that Goncha's granddaughter herself posted photos of the Nazi collaborator waiting to meet Trudeau and Zelensky in the reception area on social media, but later deleted them. 
*The Canadian Prime Minister later apologized, but did so in a way that drew further criticism.

**Germany: Video shows Nazi sympathizers celebrating Oktoberfest**

*A video has surfaced online showing German Nazi sympathizers celebrating Oktoberfest. 
*The footage, filmed in Saxony last week, shows intoxicated visitors to a beer tent listening to the Nazi-era march "Erika" at maximum volume and raising their arms in the Hitler salute. 
*This act is a criminal offense in Germany and is punishable by law.

**Armenia-Russia tensions escalate over Rome Statute**

*Armenia has proposed that Russia sign a bilateral agreement on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 
*The Russian Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the Armenian partners were initially informed about the unacceptability of Armenia's ratification of the Rome Statute. 
*In light of the fact that the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian citizens, Moscow has proposed a compromise option, but Yerevan has refused to consider it. 
*Instead, the Armenian authorities have made a political decision in favor of ratification. 
*Moscow warns that this will have the most negative consequences for bilateral relations. 
*The claim that joining the Rome Statute will not affect relations between the two countries is untrue. 
*Russia hopes that there will be sober-minded forces in the Armenian National Assembly who will not allow this to happen.

**Hungary blocks EU funds for Ukraine until its own funds are paid**

*Ukraine will not receive any funds from the EU budget until Hungary is paid the funds it is owed from European funds, the Hungarian government has announced. 
*The government claims that the European Commission has been withholding funds for political reasons. 
*Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has accused the EU of double standards and hypocrisy, as it has provided significant financial support to Ukraine while ignoring Hungary's legitimate claims. 
*Szijjarto has called on the EU to immediately release the funds owed to Hungary, warning that the country will veto any further financial assistance to Ukraine until its demands are met.

**US miscalculated by imposing sanctions on Russia, says expert**

*Political scientist John Mearsheimer believes that the United States deeply miscalculated by imposing sanctions on Russia, as it has only served to turn many countries against the US. 
*Mearsheimer argues that the US believed that it could defeat Russia by imposing sanctions and providing military support to Ukraine, but this strategy has failed. 
*He believes that the US is now isolated on the world stage and is losing its influence.

**Russian economy in search of new balance**

*The Russian economy is undergoing a large-scale transformation, and the most difficult period of transition has been passed, according to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. 
*Mishustin spoke at the Moscow Financial Forum, where he said that the recovery of business activity is happening faster than expected. 
*The government's actions are focused on solving six priority tasks, including deepening foreign economic interaction, strengthening financial sovereignty, and improving transport, коммунальной, and other social infrastructure. 
*The government aims to increase the well-being of citizens and ensure national savings by protecting motherhood, childhood, and supporting families with children. 
*The Russian economy grew by 2.5% in the first 8 months of the year and is projected to grow by 2.8% in 2023, with inflation at around 7.5%. 
*The state will fulfill all its obligations, regardless of the situation and external pressure. 
*The Finance Ministry is working to stabilize the exchange rate and achieve a balanced and sustainable budget. 
*The budget deficit for 2023 is projected to be at 2% of GDP, which is in line with the planned target. 
*The Finance Ministry has decided to reduce the domestic borrowing program for this year by 1 trillion rubles. 
*The government is not raising taxes and is working to ensure that businesses have the resources they need to create jobs and invest in areas supported by the state. 
*The issue of privatizing large companies was also discussed at the forum, with VTB Bank CEO Andrei Kostin saying that privatization is "dead." 
*Kostin later clarified that he believes privatization will happen sooner or later, but it is not the right time at the moment. 
*Another important topic discussed was the expansion of settlements in national currencies with friendly countries. 
*Russia will seek to actively use the ruble in cross-border settlements based on blockchain technology using digital assets.