Newsletter 16/10/2024
Daily news digest
TOP
Zelensky presented Ukraine's Victory Plan in Parliament
The Plan includes five points: the first is geopolitical, the second and third are military, the fourth is economic, and the fifth focuses on security. President Zelensky outlined these points during his address in Parliament.
Key theses:
Invitation of Ukraine to NATO even before the end of the war
Strengthening the defense
Development of Ukraine's strategic and economic potential and strengthening of sanctions
After the end of the war, the Ukrainian military can use its experience to strengthen the defense of NATO and Europe
Zelensky on Victory Plan: It is guarantee that madmen in Kremlin will lose opportunity to continue war
“The Victory Plan is a path to strengthening Ukraine. This is exactly the kind of Ukraine's strengthening that is needed not only to defend our Ukrainian positions but also to build a bridge – a bridge to the second Peace Summit, which will put a fair end to this war for Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to him, Ukraine’s partners, to whom the Victory Plan has already been presented, have taken a practical approach to it, and the parties are focused on the details for effective support. The head of state also added that he would present the Plan at a meeting of the European Council tomorrow.
The President stressed that Ukraine is open to diplomacy, but only to honest diplomacy, which is why there is a Peace Formula: “It is a guarantee of negotiations without forcing Ukraine into injustice.”
Zelensky: success of Ukraine’s Victory Plan depends on partners
The President stressed that while the Plan is achievable, its successful implementation relies on international partners.
“It depends on our partners. I emphasize: on partners. It certainly does not depend on Russia,” Zelensky reiterated.
Nordic-Baltic Eight countries sign ‘winter aid package’ worth EUR 44M for Ukraine
The foreign ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) countries have signed a EUR 44 million aid package for Ukraine. The funds will be used to purchase generators and solar panels.
Lithuania agrees on EUR 3.5B aid package for Ukraine
Lithuania agreed on providing another assistance package for Ukraine worth EUR 3.5 billion.
This was announced by Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis, who spoke a joint briefing with the foreign ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries in Odesa.
War
Russian army shells Zaporizhzhia region 388 times in past day
Russia preparing strikes on nuclear facilities in Ukraine - MFA
France to deliver kamikaze drones to Ukraine in coming weeks
Russia becomes more aggressive in hybrid attacks on West - NATO Senior Representative
Ukrainian forces shoot down 51 enemy Shahed UAVs overnight
Chechen, Central Asian mobs scramble to seize criminal control over occupied areas of Ukraine
Ethnic mafia groups originally based in Russia are gaining momentum in setting up operations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, mainly littoral areas.
That’s according to Pavlo Lysyanskyi, founder of the Eastern Human Rights Defense Group, who reported this on Facebook
"After the 2022 invasion, Russia went on to populate the occupied territories with representatives of the ethnic groups that had earlier settled in Russia. First of all, this is due to the fact that Russia massively attracts people from Central Asia to engage in urban construction contracts. In addition to migrant workers, representatives of the Kadyrov clan began to build up their presence in the occupied territories," the report says.
Kremlin using deal with North Korea to avoid military call-up - ISW
With reference to Ukrainian media, analysts note that the Russian 11th Airborne (VDV) Brigade is forming a 3,000-person “battalion” staffed by North Korean citizens (the numerical strength is far beyond a battalion’s). Ukrainian intelligence sources assessed that the “battalion” will likely be involved in ongoing Russian defensive operations in Kursk Oblast and reported that up to 18 North Korean soldiers have already deserted their positions in Bryansk and Kursk oblasts before the unit has been committed to combat operations.
ISW could not independently verify these reports, but Russian officials did not deny them on October 15. Putin submitted the text of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with the DPRK to the State Duma for ratification on October 14. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized in a comment to Kremlin newswire TASS that the Russia-North Korea agreement is "unambiguous" in its provision of "mutual defense and security cooperation."
"The Kremlin is likely using the "mutual defense" provision of the agreement to provide the legal justification for the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the combat zone in Russia in response to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast," ISW believes.
Defense
Ukrainian-made 'Chaklun' drone approved for use in AFU
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has codified and approved for use the multifunctional, domestically-produced ‘Chaklun’ drone, which is designed in an airplane configuration and operates effectively even in poor weather conditions.
Politics
Estonian parliament recognizes mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide
“Today, the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia (Riigikogu) has approved a statement recognizing the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people by the Soviet regime in 1944 as an act of genocide. 83 deputies of the Riigikogu voted in favor of the statement,” the post reads.
As noted, the statement condemns the mass extermination of Crimean Tatars and their forced deportation from the Crimean peninsula. The document also emphasizes that the Russian Federation, after the occupation of Crimea in 2014, continues its policy of genocide against Crimean Tatars, aimed at destroying their identity.
Almost 100 countries already supported Ukraine’s Peace Formula - Zelensky
Parliamentary faction and group heads unanimously support Victory Plan - speaker
Despite efforts by 30 countries, Ukraine’s ammo demand not fully covered – MoD Turkey
Delegations from about 40 countries to attend Crimea Platform Parliamentary Summit in Riga
Society
SBU detains Ukrenergo employee for leaking sensitive information
The individual in question, a senior security department official at the state energy company, was responsible for protecting strategically important sites in Ukraine's Unified Energy System.
According to the case details, the official allegedly attempted to justify Russian war crimes, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, in conversations with colleagues and acquaintances.
Investigations reveal that during phone calls, he allegedly leaked information to acquaintances about the damage resulting from missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He also reportedly praised the Kremlin regime, questioned Ukraine's sovereignty, and even expressed a desire for mass harm to Ukrainians.
SBU nabs Mykolaiv man spying for Russia
The 43-year-old resident of Mykolaiv also praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and publicly expressed hope the Russians would eventually seize the region.