At 09:37, Russia is enhancing its combat efficiency through the utilization of illicit Starlink devices.
Russian military forces enhance lethality and agility with prohibited Starlink terminals. The illicit Starlink terminals are aiding Russian forces in enhancing their attack coordination, conducting more drone missions, and executing precise artillery strikes against Ukrainian troops. This information is sourced from six Ukrainian soldiers hailing from different units in Donetsk, as reported by The Washington Post. The terminals allow commanders to obtain real-time drone footage of the battlefield and facilitate secure communication between troops. Despite the prohibition on selling these terminals, among other US electronic devices, to Moscow, a black market for Starlink has allegedly surfaced, facilitating the delivery of these terminals to Russian forces at the front.
Poland announces operation of US missile base According to Ukrainska Pravda, Poland's government has announced the imminent activation of a US air defense missile base in the country's northern region, near Puck on the Baltic coast. Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has revealed that talks are underway with the US to enable these missile defense systems to intercept not only Iranian missiles destined for the US but also Russian missiles targeted at Poland.
Ukraine reports overnight Russian drone attacks and missile strikes Ukraine has reported 68 drone attacks and four missile strikes by Russia during the night, as per Ukrainian air force reports. Two ballistic missiles of the Iskander type hit the Poltava and Odessa regions, while two guided missiles were fired at the Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Air defense units managed to shoot down 31 drones, while 36 drones were likely intercepted by electronic warfare systems. A single drone remained airborne in the morning.
Ukraine claims loss of 1,300 Russian troops in 24 hours According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia suffered the loss of 1,300 troops within the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of enemy casualties since the start of the war in February 2022 to approximately 669,000. Nine enemy tanks, 49 armored vehicles, 29 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were destroyed, along with 45 Russian drones.
Russia claims downing of 13 Ukrainian drones Russia claims to have shot down 13 Ukrainian drones over three border regions: six over Belgorod and Kursk, and one over Bryansk, according to the Russian defense ministry.
DeepState reports Ukrainian recapture in Donetsk DeepState, a group of military experts, report that Ukrainian forces have retaken lost positions near the city of Novohrodivka in the Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, Russian forces are said to have made gains near the settlement of Vesely.
Lithuania votes for Parliament - all major parties back Ukraine aid Lithuanians are voting today for a new parliament. Preliminary polls suggest a shift in government, with the Social Democrats forecast to replace the current conservative Homeland Union as the strongest force. Furthermore, the "Morning Star of Nemunas" could become the first populist party to enter parliament. All major Lithuanian parties concur on the necessity of supporting Ukraine and strengthening defense against Russia.
Investigation into death toll reveals old Russian soldiers sent to war According to Russian opposition media project Mediazona and BBC Russia's research, the soldiers sent by Russia to fight in Ukraine are growing older. In the first six months of the war, the majority of deaths were among those aged 21 to 23. However, the partial mobilization, use of prisoners, and recruitment of volunteers have resulted in a shift in the age structure. Notably, among those who volunteered, the majority were aged between 48 and 50, according to Mediazona.
Zelensky aims to expand Ukrainian weapons production with Western investments Ukrainian President Zelensky seeks to significantly expand weapons production with Western investments. "Our industrial capacity allows us to produce far more drones, more ammunition, and military equipment than our country's financial capabilities permit," he says in his evening video address. The West can provide the necessary funding, especially as many partners currently cannot assist Ukraine enough due to a lack of their own weapons. During his visit to Paris, a new Ukrainian-French model was discussed, which will now be further explored at the level of defense ministers.
Zelensky confirms Ukrainian positions in Kursk According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian forces are holding their positions in the Russian border region of Kursk. "Regarding the Kursk operation, Russia has tried to push back our positions, but we are holding the designated lines," he says in his evening video address. The Russian Ministry of Defense had previously reported that its forces had retaken two villages in Kursk. In August, during one of the largest attacks on Russian territory in the ongoing war since February 2022, around a thousand Ukrainian soldiers entered Kursk, crossing the state border with tanks and armored vehicles.
22:21 News: Drone Attacks Pave Way for Heavier Weapons in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russian ammunition and fuel depots with drones, resulting in massive explosions and supply chain disruptions. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyj commends the effectiveness of these operations. There's speculation in Ukrainian media that this could mark the beginning of using long-range weapons against military targets inside Russia, if approval from Western allies is granted for the deployment of such weapons. This is reportedly a crucial aspect of President Zelenskyj's "victory strategy," discussed with international leaders recently.
21:58 Allegations: Belarus Abuses Ukrainian Children Freedom House accuses the Belarusian regime of committing serious crimes against Ukrainian children. Belarus allegedly transfers children from Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine, violating international laws, brainwashing, and militarizing them. These actions are in line with Russia's policy aimed at erasing Ukrainian culture and identity. According to its own records, over 2000 children have been identified as having been transported from the occupied Ukrainian territories to Belarus for indoctrination, including in re-education camps.
21:39 Gas Supply: Serbia Bolsters Russian Gas Dependence Serbia has acquired additional gas supplies from Gazprom in a recently signed contract at the International Gas Forum in St. Petersburg. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and the head of the Serbian state-owned company Srbijagas sealed the deal. With 80% of its gas supply coming from Russia, Serbia remains heavily reliant on Russian gas. The country agreed on a three-year supply contract with Gazprom following the Russian invasion in May 2022, and plans for its renewal are under consideration for early 2023.
20:50 Production Boost: Zelenskyj Aims for Domestic Military Goods Production President Zelenskyj aims to increase domestic production of military goods, including ammunition and drones, with the help of international partners. Investment projects stem from his recent foreign trips. Ukraine has an untapped industrial base, due to a lack of funds, Zelenskyj said. Partner countries lacking necessary supplies or unable to assist Ukraine in other ways are prepared to financially support and invest in Ukraine's military industry.
20:11 Satellite Launch: Iran Aids Russia in Space Collaboration Iran has sent two domestically produced satellites to Russia for launch into orbit. The collaboration, contrary to US sanctions, was reported by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Iran's private space sector developed the high-resolution imaging Kowsar satellite and the small communications Hodhod satellite. Russia has previously launched Iranian satellites into orbit in 2022. US officials expressed concern over Russia and Iran's space collaboration at the time, fearing it could aid Russia in Ukraine and help Iran monitor potential military targets in Israel and the Middle East.
19:48 Intensified Attacks: Russian Forces Gain Ground in Kursk Russian troops have intensified their attacks on Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, according to a situation report from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russians have advanced in the Kursk Oblast, pushing back Ukrainian forces largely from the Glushkovsky district. The Russian military appears to seek to repel the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk before the fall weather worsens or early winter sets in, the ISW said.
You can access all previous developments here.
The President of the Council might express concern over the delivery of prohibited Starlink terminals to Russian forces, as it could potentially escalate the conflict. The Council could also discuss the activation of a US missile base in Poland, aiming to intercept both Iranian and Russian missiles.
