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CNN International: Zelenskyy Looks To Boost E.U. Support As U.S. Ties Sour; CNN Speaks To Latino Voters In Virginia Ahead Of Midterm Elections; SpaceX Launches Classified Mission For U.S. Space Force; Elon Musk Unveils Flying Car At Tesla Event. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired October 16, 2026 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00]
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CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. I'm Christina Macfarlane here, live in London. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Brussels right now, working to bolster support among European allies. He's attending a European Council meeting as his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump sours. It comes as sources tell CNN that Kyiv has run out of Patriot missile interceptors. Reuters also reports that the order to limit the Starshield satellite service to Ukraine came from the White House, but a senior U.S. official says President Trump did not make the request.
Joining me now from Odessa, Ukraine, is Michael Bociurkiw, the Founder of the World Briefing Report on Substack and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Michael, great to have you with us. Before Michael, we get to what's happening in Brussels this morning, I just want to mention those reports of massive strikes that we heard across the region in Ukraine last night, including where you are in Odessa, especially following the news yesterday that Ukraine has run out of Patriot Interceptor missiles. What is the situation like where you are now, Michael?
MICHAEL BOCIURKIW, FOUNDER, WORLD BRIEFING REPORT ON SUBSTACK: Hi, Christina. Good to be with you again. Well, I cannot remember a violent night like this in quite some time. Not only Odessa, Uman to the north of us, but looks like Kyiv and western Ukraine, especially, have taken the brunt of the hits from Russian drones and missiles.
Something like 200,000 plus people without power in Western Ukraine, and you know it's got to the point where not only is there a lack of intelligence from time to time, there's a lack of Starlink connectivity, the very technology that helps bring down incoming Russian drones, but it is of the point right now that at any moment a Russian drone could come down on this building where I am.
We've had them overhead before, and the point I'm trying to make here is just the randomness now. They fly faster, they fly at higher altitude, tougher to shoot down, and they pack a lot more TNT than previously. I watched video, apocalyptic video yesterday, not far from here, between here and the Moldova border, of a supermarket midday just being blown to smithereens by one drone alone. So, it's very, very anxious time.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, it's pretty frightening, what you're describing, and Michael, of course, there's been a lot of updates overnight. This morning, we've been reporting on that Reuters report that there was an order to limit the Starshield capabilities that came apparently from within the White House,
[04:35:00]
And we heard Donald Trump speaking last night, calling Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace. There has obviously been a serious breakdown here in Ukrainian-U.S. relations. How perilous a moment is this for Ukraine?
BOCIURKIW: Very, very. And speaking of disgraceful, perhaps Mr. Trump should look at himself in the mirror for giving up on -- on Ukraine. But this, I think, we're at the point now, Christina. It's the most direct and dangerous confrontation right now between the United States and Ukraine. I have noted that Mr. Zelenskyy has really upped his rhetoric.
In fact, only this morning he was meeting with European leaders, as you pointed out earlier, and he called them real leaders in an indirect dig at Donald Trump. So, this we know from past recent history, especially as Canadians, that if you ratchet up the rhetoric against Donald Trump, it usually doesn't work well. But I notice the -- the -- the Brits -- Wes Streeting is now in the United States. They're taking a more diplomatic approach, but the big, big problem right now here, of course, especially with the Ukrainian military, is they can't predict what happens next.
And one more point here, if I may, if we zoom out a little bit with the very rapid modernization of warfare on the battlefield and the closeness between the tech bros like Elon Musk and the Trump Administration, it's not inconceivable that these tech leaders can make life and death decisions in addition to the White House, and that's a scary prospect.
MACFARLANE: It is indeed. I mean, look when we consider where Ukraine are right now, in as you mentioned, with relations with the United States, it's understandable how they have got here. But the question still remains, Michael, whether this is the right tactic to deploy at this moment, given Ukraine's limited military capabilities. And you mentioned Wes Streeting there striking a more diplomatic tone last night.
Well, this morning, European Commissioner President von Ursula von der Leyen has also struck a more conciliatory tone than we've heard from President Zelenskyy in recent days. So, do you expect this morning today that European leaders are going to try and encourage Ukraine to come back to the table with the United States, and will he be forced to do that given the situation?
BOCIURKIW: You know, I think we're getting closer to that point where Ukraine will be forced back to the table. It probably will not be face to face between Zelenskyy and Putin. But you know, Christina, I've been thinking about this a lot in the past two -- few days, is that we love to lecture autocrats, do we not? Especially Mr. Putin, and yet if we don't reduce our reliance on Russian oil, it'll be us, the West, that is funding autocracy, not fighting it.
And you know, speaking of the United Kingdom under the previous Prime Minister, there still is a big, big loop hole, Russian diesel and jet fuel coming into the U.K. through third countries, refined in India, for example, and that indirectly goes to fund the Russian war machine, and that's in addition to the recent loosening of sanctions by Mr. Trump. So, Ukraine has a very, very tough right now in terms of this fight because they know that they're not only having one arm, or maybe bolted behind their backs, but they know the Russian war machine is still being funded because of weakness on the half -- on behalf of Western leaders, but also our reliance on fossil fuels.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, there is a broader accountability line to be drawn here I guess, Michael. Listen, I know it is a very precarious situation where you are. We wish you all the best, Michael, and hope you stay safe there in Odessa. Michael Bociurkiw, appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
The Trump Administration is facing a lawsuit from a coalition of attorneys challenging its rapid immigration process for unaccompanied migrant children. Under this process, minors have been forced to navigate the immigration system with little help, even from lawyers.
CNN previously reported that these children have been forced to grapple with numerous obstacles, such as abruptly rescheduled court hearings, as well as having to plead their case to the court as to why they should not be deported, many are forced to do this without an attorney to advocate for them. This comes as Latino voters are increasingly worried as the midterm elections approach. CNN's Ione Molinares spoke to some of those voters in Virginia.
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IONE MOLINARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the Manassas Park Latino Festival in Virginia, located south west of the Washington metropolitan area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I came here last year. It was so crowded you could barely walk, and now people aren't coming out. People are afraid.
MOLINARES: Most of those who did show up are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They say immigration raids are keeping undocumented immigrants away from events like this and driving those who can vote to the polls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The most important thing to me is the economy, so this country can keep moving forward. Immigration is also important.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Immigration will always be my main concern because I'm Latina. I'm an immigrant, and it's something I always worry about.
MOLINARES: Virginia is one of those states with closely watched races that could shift the balance of power in Congress. As in many states, the Hispanic vote here is crucial. Hispanics make up about 12 percent of Virginia's population, with around 950,000 Latino residents.
National polls show many Hispanic voters are also concerned about current economic uncertainty. Democrats are hoping that will translate into sweeping victory in the midterm elections.
JOCELYN CORDOBA, VIRGINIA RESIDENT (through translator): There were supposed to be many opportunities, and what have we seen? Everything is expensive now. You go grocery shopping, and prices are higher than ever. So, nothing has changed. If anything, things have gotten worse.
MOLINARES: Trump doesn't see it that way. At campaign events, the president has urged his supporters to vote by pointing to his accomplishments and asking them to imagine that he himself is on the ballot. The Cordoba family also has Trump on their minds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): People voted for Republicans instead of Democrats before. Well, these are the consequences. Let's see how things turn out for them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): A lot of people voted for him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I know a lot of people who voted for Trump, and now they're saying, "Why did I do that?" Well, they already did it, so ha.
MOLINARES: In the 2024 presidential election, Trump made gains among Hispanic voters. The promise of stronger border security was one of the issues that drew Hispanic voters toward Trump, according to a Harvard University study. Now, the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is prompting these two Puerto Rican voters to switch sides.
TEOBALDO CUEVAS, VIRGINIA RESIDENT (through translator): I used to be a Republican, but now I feel more like a Democrat because I'm completely disillusioned.
LEYINSKY COLLADO, VIRGINIA RESIDENT (through translator): I used to be a Republican too. As a teacher, it makes me sad to see children suffering when they're separated from their parents.
MOLINARES: More than 39 million Hispanic voters are eligible to vote in the midterms. This pastor says fear of immigration raids is keeping members away from his church, but he is working to make sure eligible voters still show up at the polls.
PASTOR JOSE ANDRES RUIZ, VIRGINIA COMMUNITY LEADER (through translator): Because this country is a nation of immigrants, and no one can deny that.
MOLINARES: Ione Molinares, Manassas Park, Virginia.
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MACFARLANE: Now, after six years in the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are getting a warm welcome back in Britain. Their first joint appearance since returning to the U.K., ahead on CNN.
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MACFARLANE: Welcome back. Now, more than a month after returning to the U.K., Prince Harry and Meghan are getting a warm welcome home. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first joint public appearance in Britain since moving back to the country in August. Crowds in Nottingham greeted the couple with balloons and flowers. As Meghan said, it's great to be back. Our Anna Stewart has more.
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ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Looking at the video today, you'd be forgiven for thinking we were back in 2019, before Prince Harry and Meghan left the U.K. and their roles as working members of the royal family. Because at least visually, there was really nothing to tell this apart. Harry and Meghan did what's known in royal media circles as a walkabout, chatting to fans and onlookers, shaking hands, accepting flowers, and posing for photos.
This first public engagement in Nottingham included visits to three charities focusing on children, young people, and food poverty. Both Harry and Meghan were eagerly involved. At one point, helping to pack food parcels for donations. The visit had a sense of deja vu not least as Nottingham was the first official engagement the couple made in 2017 after announcing they were to be married.
Last month, a letter sent on behalf of the King stated that there was no change to the Duke and Duchess's status on their return to the U.K., writing that any charitable work taken would be a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. There was certainly nothing private about Thursday's very public engagement.
While Harry and Meghan were in Nottingham, the King and Queen were in Cardiff for the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament, but few will know that, given how the Sussex's first public engagement has stolen the media's attention once again. Anna Stewart, CNN, London.
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MACFARLANE: Now, still to come. Has Tesla just unveiled a flying car? We'll show you Elon Musk's latest product reveal.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MACFARLANE: Turning to incredible video from the Argentinian-Brazilian
border now, where heavy rain has caused the Iguazu Falls to swell. Meteorologists say it's being driven by the strengthening El Nino weather pattern. The water is flowing at six times its normal rate, with 15 million liters of water rushing over the cliffs every second.
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ANNOUNCER: Lift off of Falcon 9. Go SpaceX. Go USSF-481.
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MACFARLANE: SpaceX says it successfully launched a new classified mission for the U.S. military on Thursday. The Falcon 9 rocket took off from the Vandenberg Space Force base in California. It's unknown what it was carrying and why. Residents around the launch site may have heard one or more sonic booms during takeoff. The first stage booster rocket landed back on Earth on a drone ship in the Pacific open -- ocean.
And Tesla has unveiled what it's calling a flying car at a product reveal in Texas. CEO Elon Musk revealed the new Tesla Roadster, which came off a steep ramp, hanging upside down before flipping and using air jets to land. Musk says the two-person sports car uses ultra high- pressure air tanks to propel itself. He says it will go into production in 2028. Goodness me.
And the new movie Tenzing is out in theaters and on Apple TV. It's the true story of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and their journey to the top of Mount Everest. I spoke with actors Tom Hiddleston and Genden Phuntsok about the project.
TOM HIDDLESTON, ACTOR: It was completely unforgettable.
GENDEN PHUNTSOK, ACTOR: Yeah.
HIDDLESTON: We -- it was an inspired suggestion by our director Jennifer Peedom. I arrived in Kathmandu, and -- and within 15 hours I was in Lukla Airport, which is really a strip of concrete cut into the mountain where all treks to Everest base camp begin. Mr. Amazing was waiting for me, and we shook hands and we embraced under a sign which said the Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
And Genden said to me, "Hey Hillary," and I said, "Hey Tenzing," and we -- and we hugged and we began this extraordinary trek, following in the footsteps of Tenzing and Hillary, and -- and experiencing the beauty and the majesty of that landscape for ourselves.
MACFARLANE: Look, one incredible thing in the film that really stood out to me was just how little technical equipment and gear those mountaineers had to climb Everest. Felt like a small pair of swimming goggles and ropes and a sturdy pair of boots, which leads me to how physically demanding was it, both for you to -- to film this, and did you have any difficult moments in the mountains?
[04:55:00] HIDDLESTON: We did this for real. We did this for real in the real mountains. Everything with snow on it was actually in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, in Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park. And Hillary on the expedition, there's a detail in the film. They were climbing back to camp one night, and he fell into a crevasse, and Tenzing saved Hillary's life. It really happened to Hillary, and it really happened to me.
And they dropped me into a crevasse, and Tenzing was -- Genden was on the other side of the rope, and I was suspended, dangling -- dangling there for a time and this sheet of ice came, fell from the lip of the crevasse onto my head, and then I had this small -- or as Hillary called it, the routine mountaineering issue of trying to climb up a wall of ice.
[Video is shown from the movie "Tenzing".]
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MACFARLANE: It is such a great movie. I encourage you all to watch it. My thanks to Tom and Genden for speaking to me, and that will air longer on Isa Soares Tonight, later today. But for now, that is it. Thank you so much for watching. I'm Christina Macfarlane here in London. CNN Headline Express is up next.
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