⌨Ukrainian media on October 31 focused intensely on military developments and energy infrastructure. The morning brought reports of a Russian drone attack on Sumy, injuring at least 15, including children (Ukrinform UA, Kyiv Post). Concurrently, the Kyiv Post noted a US decision to trim forces in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Discussions also emerged regarding a potential new arms race and the cancellation of a Trump-Putin summit over Russia's demands concerning Ukraine (Radio Svoboda, UNIAN).
By late morning and early afternoon, attention shifted to Ukraine's counteroffensive capabilities. Ukraine reportedly destroyed a Russian "Oreshnik" missile launcher deep within Russian territory (UNIAN, Kyiv Post, Liga.net). Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces struck a power plant in Russia's Orel city, leaving it without heat, and later hit a substation in Novobryansk (Kyiv Post, Ukrinform UA).
The evening intensified with a strong focus on Pokrovsk, a key battleground from previous days. Reports indicated Ukrainian military counteroffensives, with intelligence special forces entering the city and beginning a "cleanup" operation, reportedly overseen by Budanov himself (UNIAN, Liga.net, Hromadske). This development followed President Zelenskyy's earlier statement that Ukrainian forces controlled the situation around Pokrovsk (Ukrinform UA, UNIAN).