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Saturday, October 3 Russia's war against Ukraine Cars queue after an air raid alert following a Russian drone attack on October 2, 2026 in Kyiv. Russian forces targeted critical transport infrastructure across the capital using attack drones, causing structural damage to city’s Southern Bridge and disrupting traffic. (Danylo Dubchak/Frontliner/Getty Images) Russia strikes key Kyiv bridge for 3rd straight day as attacks intensify. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the bridge's surface as well as trolleybus overhead power lines have been damaged in the attack. Movement over the bridge was halted following the strike. Key Kyiv bridge hit by Russian drones fourth time in 2 days. The Kyiv City Military Administration said on Oct. 2 that the Southern Bridge is closed in both directions. Ukraine aims to produce up to 400 interceptor drones as Russian jet-powered drone use grows, Zelensky says. Ukraine is testing five types of high-speed interceptor drones designed to shoot down the faster Russian weapons, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine nets 2.9 billion euros from EU after passing reforms. "This is very timely support, which will help ensure Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and strengthen our defense capabilities," said President Volodymyr Zelensky. US-Ukrainian fund unveils first critical minerals deal. The U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) jointly unveiled several investment projects on Oct. 2, including the first-ever critical minerals deal with Ukrainian company BGV Group Management. Embassies not planning to evacuate Kyiv amid Russia's bombardment, Foreign Ministry confirms. "As of now, the Foreign Ministry has not received any such requests or notifications from foreign diplomatic missions regarding plans to relocate," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said. Russia planning to increase 'hybrid warfare' activity in Europe, Ukrainian intelligence warns. The Russian special services are targeting military facilities, critical infrastructure, and communication systems, Ukraine's military intelligence service (HUR) warned. Russian Mi-8 helicopter reportedly shot down in friendly-fire incident over Voronezh Oblast. Ukrainian Telegram channel Dossier of a Spy said that the Mi-8 was mistakenly shot down by a Su-35 during Ukraine's drone attack. Russian billionaires 'volunteer' to fund state budget after closed-door meeting with Putin, Reuters reports. Wealthy Russians have already contributed a total of 471 billion rubles (over $5.6 billion) to the state budget in 2026, according to Reuters. The payments are listed as "voluntary receipts" in budget documents. Read our exclusives Ukraine war latest: Russia takes aim at key Kyiv bridge for second day A Russian drone struck the Southern Bridge over the Dnipro River in Kyiv around 5:40 p.m. local time, as Russia takes aim at the bridge for two days straight. Photo: Andriy Dubchak/Frontliner/Getty Images Read more Russian soldiers 'had to drink urine to survive' after being abandoned by commanders, POWs say Russian troops were left with no food, water, or ammunition and had to drink their own urine to survive after being abandoned by their commanders, POWs captured by Ukraine have said. Photo: 3rd Army Corps/YouTube Read more Belarus tests a new path back to the West Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has worked his way out of Western isolation before. Now, he seems to be launching yet another attempt. Photo: Alexander Kazakov / Pool / AFP / Getty Images Read more Latvia votes with Russia threat looming large For the capital's residents living under constant aerial attacks, access to and availability of shelters is critical. But more than four years into Russia's full-scale invasion, the city's shelter network falls short of their needs.ew meaning for Ukrainians. Photo: Gints Ivuskans / AFP via Getty Images Read more Human costs of war Russian attacks kill 2, injure 27 across Ukraine, hit passenger bus with FPV drone in Kramatorsk. The bus was already operating on its route and carrying passengers when the attack occurred. Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv, kill women, injure children. One of the Russian glide-bombs "completely destroyed" a residential building, Kharkiv city mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Ukraine returned 41 civilians from occupied territories through Volyn border crossing in August and September, says ombudsman. Among those returned were people held under forced medical treatment and at risk of mobilization by Russia, according to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. 'Every fallen hero will be found' — Kyiv to speed up identification of fallen Ukrainians, Budanov says. While over 26,000 bodies and remains have been repatriated to Ukraine, "a significant portion" remain unidentified, Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov said. 4 injured in Kyiv Oblast as Russian drones reportedly strike pharmaceutical warehouse. Russia launched a drone attack on the city of Hostomel in Kyiv Oblast on the evening of Oct. 2, striking warehouses and reportedly injuring four people, including a child, officials reported. International response Ukraine urges US sanctions on Russia’s Starlink knockoff amid drone threat. Kyiv will provide Washington and Congress with details of companies and individuals supporting the Rassvet network, Ukraine’s acting ambassador to the U.S., Denys Sienik, said, Reuters reported on Sept. 30. Protesters in Denmark rally against last EU shipyard servicing Russia-linked tankers. "Fayard’s service of the LNG fleet is a blemish on Danish support for Ukraine. We will continue to pressure Fayard to stop," said Jens Alstrup, chairman of the NGO Freedom for Ukraine. Key bill to appease Hungary, advance EU membership lands in Ukraine's parliament. "I would like to thank all the experts - Hungarian and Ukrainian - for their constructive, forward-looking, and insightful work in the past weeks," said Hungary's Foreign Minister Anita Orban. South Korean president warns of 'additional measures' if Ukraine doesn't apologize for POW dispute. By denying a confidentiality agreement on the transfer of North Korean POWs, Kyiv is "making the head of state of another country out to be a liar," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said. UK sanctions 7 Russians over deportation, indoctrination of Ukrainian children. The sanctions target Artur Orlov, head of Russia's Movement of the First, a state-backed organization for children and young people, as well as five heads of its regional branches in occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and Crimea. Opinions and insights Washington should pay attention to the new Ukrainian robotic counteroffensive Imagine heavy drones flying 15 to 20 kilometers (approximately 9.3 to 12.4 miles) deep into enemy rear positions and then deploying unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), essentially robots, that drive even deeper into the rear. Photo: NC13 Strike UGV Unit of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, 3rd Army Corps Read more You've made it this far, which means you care. Ukraine Daily has never missed a morning — not through blackouts, not through mass attacks. Our mission is to show the world the truth of what is happening here. Becoming a member helps us keep doing that, every single day. EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP MAKE A DONATION Inside Odesa port attacks: How Russia targets Ukraine's Black Sea trade This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand's visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details. Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Jonas Heins, Kate Tsurkan, Yuliia Taradiuk, Chris York, Chris Powers, Jimmy Rushton, Martin Fornusek, Alex McDonald, Abbey Fenbert, and Dmytro Basmat. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today. 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