Zelensky Exits Kiev Prior Big Russian Strike All Ukraine Missile Projects Ended; Putin Hardens Line (Alexander Mercouris)

Ukraine's flagship missile programs are finished, and Alexander explains why the Flamingo cruise missile and the FP7 and FP9 ballistic missiles were really cancelled as Zelensky leaves Kiev ahead of a massive Russian strike. He also covers the Russian advance near Orekhov and Dobropolye, the growing campaign against the Dnieper bridges, the stalled Freya air defense project, and the striking phrase in the Kremlin readout of Putin's call with Stubb and Store. Is Putin now signaling a demand that goes far beyond Istanbul plus?



Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:31 Putin hosts African leaders in Moscow
00:01:51 Zelensky leaves Kiev for the Netherlands and UK
00:04:56 Big Russian missile and drone strike expected
00:07:25 Firepoint ends the Flamingo cruise missile
00:16:26 Why the Flamingo program really collapsed
00:18:24 FP7 and FP9 ballistic missiles cancelled
00:22:11 The S300 missile and the Taurus theory
00:27:10 Ukraine now depends on drones alone
00:30:40 Russian advance speeding up despite autumn rains
00:31:53 Ukrainian defenses north of Orekhov collapse
00:32:42 Dobropolye, Leman and Sumy fronts
00:35:43 Russian buildup near Aleshki and Kherson
00:39:08 The Freya air defense project delayed
00:44:36 Russia targets substations and Dnieper bridges
00:49:08 Iskander accuracy and the Rassvet satellite theory
00:53:22 Norway debunks the FT on the Putin call
00:57:52 Ushakov shuts Europe out of Abu Dhabi
00:59:48 Putin's "without any conditions" readout
01:07:28 Gordon Hahn on tougher Russian demands

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, October 31, 2026.]