On the same day more suicide drones struck Kyiv, day two of China's Communist Party congress got underway as early voting was set to begin in Georgia.

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

More Kyiv strikes; China’s Communist Party congress; Georgia early voting

Oct 17, 2022

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Ben Burke (Producer/Editor)

On the same day more suicide drones struck Kyiv, day two of China’s Communist Party congress got underway as early voting was set to begin in Georgia. These stories highlight the Daily Rundown for Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

Kyiv drone strikes – An unknown numbers of explosive-laden suicide drones struck Ukraine’s capital as residents were preparing to start their weeks Monday. Some of the drones were Iranian-made Shaheds. At least 13 drones were shot down as they flew in from the south, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city’s central Shevchenko district was among the areas hit, with apartment blocks damaged and a non-residential building on fire. There was no immediate word of casualties.

The Kyiv drone strikes came as NATO began its long-planned annual nuclear exercises in northwestern Europe. Fourteen of NATO’s 30 member countries were due to take part in the exercises, which the military alliance said would involve around 60 aircraft, including fighter jets and surveillance and refueling planes.

China’s Communist Party congress – The weeklong Communist Party congress got underway in China Sunday. The party is expected to reappoint leader Xi Jinping for a third five-year term, paving the way to make him one of the most powerful leaders in China’s modern history.

“The wheels of history are rolling on towards China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said when discussing Hong Kong and Taiwan in a speech Sunday. “Complete reunification of our motherland must be realized and can without doubt be realized.”

Georgia early voting begins – One of the first big moments of the 2022 midterm election season was set for Monday with early voting beginning in Georgia. The state is host to two key races, one for governor and the other for senator.

The gubernatorial race is between Republican incumbent Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams. The two were set to take part in the first of two scheduled debates Monday. The Senate race is between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tags: Brian Kemp, China, Herschel Walker, One-China, Raphael Warnock, Stacey Abrams, Taiwan, Ukraine

RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEW AIRSTRIKES TARGETING UKRAINE’S ENERGY SUPPLY.
CHINA’S COMMUNIST LEADER TO BE RE-ELECTED THIS WEEK.
AND EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY IN A KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE.
GOOD MORNING KARAH RUCKER HERE’S YOUR DAILY RUNDOWN.
ONE WEEK AGO RUSSIA LOUDLY ACCELERATED THE WAR IN UKRAINE BY SENDING DOZENS OF DEVASTATING DRONE STRIKES INTO CIVILIAN AREAS.
THIS TIME — THEIR TARGETS ARE STRATEGICALLY AIMED AT UKRAINE’S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE…AT LEAST 28 AIRSTRIKES KNOCKING OUT ELECTRICITY AND FURTHER DISRUPTING OIL SUPPLY.
RUSSIA HAS WEAPONIZED ENERGY FROM THE GET-GO…WATCHING EUROPE CRUMBLE INTO AN ENERGY CRISIS AS WINTER LOOMS.
THIS WEEK — COMMUNIST LEADER XI JINPING IS SET TO START A **THIRD TERM.
SOMETHING UNPRECEDENTED EVEN FOR CHINA.
BUT DURING XI’S TERM…HE NIXED TERM LIMITS.
PAVING THE PATH TO THIS WEEK’S RE-ELECTION.
IN A SPEECH…HE DOUBLED DOWN ON THE U-S.
PAINTING A CLEAR PICTURE AS FOE NOT FRIEND AS WE’VE SIDED WITH TAIWAN AND UKRAINE ON THE FOREIGN-POLICY FRONT.
AND FINALLY…LET THE MIDTERM MADNESS BEGIN…
WITH THE FIRST POLLS OPENING THIS MORNING…
IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATE OF GEORGIA.
EARLY VOTING IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY.
IN GEORGIA YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR SEAT UP FOR GRABS.
BRIAN KEMP AND STACEY ABRAMS WILL BE ON THE DEBATE STAGE TONIGHT.
THEN YOU’VE GOT INCUMBENT SENATOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK IN A TIGHT RACE WITH HERSCHEL WALKER…A SENATE SEAT THAT COULD VERY WELL DETERMINE WHAT PARTY CONTROLS THE CHAMBER OF CONGRESS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.