Ukraine holds suspicion towards Russia, alleging the execution of nine captive soldiers.
10:52 Documentary Wins Award for Exposing Russian Sexual AbuseThe documentary titled "He Returned", which focuses on sexual misconduct committed by Russian forces during their occupation of Kyiv and Chernihiv regions in 2022, has been honored with a Czech film award in Prague. Two survivors share their harrowing experiences and how they managed to identify their attackers and commanding officers. One instance involves the film crew recreating the assault that took place in Donetsk. The documentary uncovers 292 reported cases of sexual assault by Russian soldiers, with experts suggesting this number is only a fraction of the overall incidents.
10:22 Zelensky to Unveil Winning StrategyUkrainian President Zelensky will publicly reveal his "victory strategy" to the public in the upcoming days. This information was shared by his presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak. The strategy consists of five steps, both military and diplomatic initiatives, including an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. The specifics of the plan have not been made public yet. The ultimate goal is to bolster Ukraine's negotiating power and put pressure on Russia for a fair peace, as per Kyiv.
09:37 Russia Enhances Military Capabilities with Stolen TechnologyRussian troops have improved their effectiveness and agility with the help of illicit Starlink terminals. These devices enable better coordination of attacks, increased use of drones, and sharper artillery fire against Ukrainian troops. This information stemmed from six Ukrainian soldiers from various units in Donetsk who spoke with the "Washington Post." The terminals help commanders obtain real-time drone footage of the battlefield and facilitate communication between soldiers. Despite strict prohibitions on selling these terminals or other US technology to Moscow, a black market for Starlink has reportedly emerged, allowing the terminals to reach Russian soldiers on the frontlines.
09:16 US Missile Base to Open in PolandPolish authorities have announced plans to establish a US air defense missile base near Puck on the Baltic coast in the near future. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," this base is expected to be operational within weeks. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that Warsaw is also in discussions with the US to ensure the missile defense systems can intercept not only Iranian missiles but also any Russian missiles heading towards Poland.
08:51 Ukraine Records Major Nighttime AttackRussian forces launched a nighttime attack on Ukraine with 68 drones and four missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force. Two Iskander missiles struck the Poltava and Odessa regions, while two guided missiles targeted the Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Ukrainian air defense units managed to shoot down 31 drones, and 36 drones likely met their end due to electronic warfare. One drone remained airborne until morning.
08:17 Ukraine Reports High Enemy CasualtiesThe Ukrainian military reports 1,300 enemy casualties in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths or injuries since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022 to roughly 669,000. Additionally, nine enemy tanks, 49 armored vehicles, 29 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were destroyed. Moreover, 45 Russian drones were shot down.
07:48 Russia Lay Claim to Downing 13 Ukrainian DronesRussia asserts they have downed 13 Ukrainian drones over three border regions. According to the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram, six drones were brought down in the Russian regions of Belgorod and Kursk, and one drone was shot down in Bryansk.
07:16 DeepState Reports Ukrainian Success in DonetskMilitary experts group DeepState reported Ukrainian troops made gains in the Donetsk Oblast area, retaking lost positions near the city of Novohrodivka. Simultaneously, DeepState reported Russian advances near the village of Vesely.
06:30 Lithuanian Elections: Pro-Ukrainian Support Remains StrongLithuanians are casting their votes for a new parliament today, with predictions suggesting the Social Democrats will replace the Homeland Union as the main ruling party. "Aušra" (Morning Dawn) could also make its parliamentary debut for the first time. Despite political changes, all major Lithuanian parties remain unified in their commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening defenses against Russia.
04:39 Study Suggests Russian Troops are Growing OlderResearch conducted by Russian opposition media project Mediazona and BBC Russia reveals that Russian soldiers dispatched to fight in Ukraine have become progressively older. Over 73,000 soldier fatalities were analyzed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the first six months of the war, most deaths occurred among 21-23-year-olds. However, the war's escalation, deployment of prisoners, and recruitment of volunteers have changed the average soldier age significantly, with volunteers typically being aged 48-50.
23:31 Zelensky: Ukrainian Forces Maintain Positions in KurskAs declared by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian forces are steadfast in their positions within the Russian border district of Kursk. In reference to the ongoing operation in Kursk, Russia has attempted to dislodge Ukrainian positions, but our troops have managed to keep hold of designated lines, Zelensky asserted during his evening video message. Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its forces had reclaimed two villages in Kursk. In August, approximately a thousand Ukrainian troops infiltrated Kursk, launching one of the largest attacks on Russian territory since the conflict commenced in February 2022, having crossed the border with tanks and armored vehicles.
22:21 Media: Drone Strikes Pave Way for Severe Weapons Attacks in RussiaUkrainian forces have recently targeted Russian ammunition and fuel depots using drones, resulting in massive explosions and disruptions in supply chains. Ukrainian military commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, is pleased with the trajectory of these operations. According to Ukrainian media sources, this could potentially serve as a blueprint for a significantly more powerful arsenal that Ukraine could wield against Russian targets deep within their territory with the aid of long-range weapons, provided that such authorization is provided by Western allies. This concept reportedly forms a significant component of President Zelensky's "victory strategy" that he has discussed with various international leaders in recent times.
21:58 NGO: Belarus Implicated in Crimes Against Ukrainian ChildrenThe American non-profit organization, Freedom House, accuses the Belarusian regime of heinous crimes against Ukrainian children. Belarus is actively involved in the illegal deportation, brainwashing, and militarization of children from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, according to a report published by the organization. This constitutes part of Russia's strategy aimed at eradicating Ukrainian culture and identity. As per its own statements, Freedom House has identified over 2,000 children who have been relocated from occupied Ukrainian regions to Belarus, where they are believed to be undergoing re-education at detention camps.
21:39 Serbia Acquires Additional Russian GasSerbia has secured additional gas supplies from the Russian state-owned firm, Gazprom. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and the head of the Serbian state-owned company, Srbijagas, inked a relevant agreement at the international gas forum in St. Petersburg. Serbia remains heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies, with around 80% of its needs being met by the latter. Serbia sealed a three-year supply contract with Gazprom shortly after the onset of the Russian invasion in May 2022. An extension of this contract is anticipated at the beginning of the upcoming year.
20:50 Zelensky: Ukraine's Capacity for Drone Production ExpansionWith the assistance of international partners, Ukrainian President Zelensky aims to substantially increase the production of military equipment, particularly drones, within Ukraine itself. Consequent investment plans are a result of his recent diplomatic sorties. The Ukrainian "industrial sector" possesses a far larger capacity than the state can presently utilize due to a lack of financial resources, Zelensky notes. Partner nations that lack sufficient stockpiles or cannot aid in the delivery of weapons for other reasons are prepared to financially back production in Ukraine and invest in the country's defense industry.
20:11 Iran Dispatches Two Satellites to RussiaSources indicate that Iran has transported two domestically developed satellites to Russia, which will be deployed into orbit by a Russian spacecraft. This is the latest space collaboration between the two countries that has escaped US sanctions, as reported by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite, mark the initial significant initiative by Iran's privately owned space sector. Russia dispatched Iranian satellites into orbit in February and 2022. US officials had expressed concerns at the time over the cooperation between Russia and Iran in space, fearing that the satellite would not only bolster Russia's efforts in Ukraine but also aid Iran in monitoring potential military targets in Israel and the Middle East.
19:48 Russian Military Intensifies Counterattacks in KurskAccording to the latest situation report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian military has upped the ante in its assaults against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk district of Russia. Russian forces have gained ground in the Kursk Oblast, effectively driving back Ukrainian forces in the Glushkovsky district. Russian military seems determined to thwart the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk before the onset of harsh winter weather, according to the ISW.
You can review all preceding developments here.
- Despite the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin has chosen not to comment on the Czech film award-winning documentary "He Returned," which exposés sexual misconduct committed by Russian forces during their occupation of Kyiv and Chernihiv regions in 2022.
- The Ukrainian conflict has led to a steep increase in the average age of Russian soldiers deployed to fight in Ukraine, with volunteers in their mid-forties and fifties replacing the younger troops who suffered many casualties.
