Eyewitnesses reported a Ukrainian drone struck the Belgorod Arena in Belgorod on October 23rd, 2025, between 11:01 AM and 12:01 PM UTC, with the Operational Headquarters information center confirming the attack. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has threatened to block the EU's plan to use $162 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, citing legal risks as most of the funds are held in Brussels. De Wever stated that if Russia's money is taken, Moscow will retaliate by taking EU member states' assets, and outlined conditions including shared legal risks and contributions from all member states if funds need to be returned. Separately, residents in Anapa are preparing for new fuel oil emissions as equipment worked overnight to create a protective sand barrier, with local media reporting the approaching fuel oil slick may be several times larger than a previous release. In Crimea, sounds of large-caliber bursts and machine gun fire were reported from the direction of Saki airfield in Novofedorovka. Earlier today, between 10:01 AM and 11:01 AM UTC, monitoring channels reported drone sightings over Khargora in Belgorod, with further drone movement detected towards the city, leading to a UAV attack danger warning. The European Union adopted its 19th sanctions package against Russia on October 23rd, 2025, which includes measures targeting those involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and restrictions on Russian banks and companies. Concerns are rising in Anapa as the city prepares for new fuel oil emissions, with equipment working overnight to create a protective sand barrier. Local media reported that the approaching fuel oil slick may be significantly larger than a previous release. The drone activity in Belgorod was previously flagged as a UAV attack danger earlier in the day. In response to recent U.S. economic sanctions targeting Russia's Rosneft Oil Company yesterday, Ukraine launched a kinetic sanctions package, resulting in a fire at Russia's Rosneft Ryazan oil refinery overnight. The average price of 95 octane fuel has risen to 67.21 Rubles/litre, marking an increase of over 30% since January 2022. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is "immune" to Western sanctions and will continue developing its energy sector, calling the measures "counterproductive."
