Newsletter 18/10/2024
Daily news digest
Masters of their craft, who bring equipment back to life. Here, every malfunction has its diagnosis, and the repair and recovery battalion is a true hospital for machinery. The craftsmen confidently fix any issues with machines and mechanisms. Their hands are the hands of professionals: strong, reliable, tireless. These are hands that know their work.
TOP
Budanov: Nearly 11,000 North Korean troops will be ready to fight against Ukraine in two weeks
According to Budanov, the North Korean military will be using Russian equipment and ammunition.
The first cadre of 2,600 soldiers will go to the Kursk region. According to Budanov, it is unclear where the remaining North Korean troops will go.
Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war, compensates Ukraine for damage caused – European Council
The European Union leaders have supported a EUR 35 billion loan to Ukraine as part of the G7 initiative to provide Ukraine with a USD 50 billion loan using proceeds from frozen Russian assets. At the same time, Russian assets will remain blocked until Russia ends the war.
Russian troops shoot Ukrainian prisoner of war in Bakhmut sector – PGO
In the Bakhmut sector, Russian invaders likely shot dead a wounded serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who had been captured by them.
According to the PGO, a Ukrainian soldier was likely wounded while performing a combat mission in the Bakhmut district of the Donetsk region. Subsequently, the Russian invaders seized the building where the soldier was staying and took him prisoner. The unarmed defender, who was lying on the ground, was shot dead by the Russian military.
It all happened around 10:00 on Friday, September 6, near the Phenol Plant in the village of New York.
Over 740 customs investigations conducted by Finland into possible violations of sanctions against Russia – Shmyhal
“It is vital to block Russia’s access to circumvent sanctions. We are grateful to the Finnish Government for more than 740 customs investigations into the possible violations of sanctions restrictions,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
War
Ukrainian forces liberate Kruhliakivka village in Kharkiv region
The Special Forces of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), in collaboration with units from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have liberated and cleared the village of Kruhliakivka, Kharkiv region, and its surrounding area from Russian invaders.
Russian troops resisted, and tried to counterattack, but were defeated - their assault was repelled by the scouts, who continued to push the enemy out.
Ukrainian forces shoot down 80 Russian attack drones overnight
General Staff: 210 combat clashes along frontlines, most in Pokrovsk and Kurakhove sectors
Russian Army loses another 1,530 soldiers in Ukraine over previous day
Mandatory evacuation of the population from four communities that fell into the zone of active hostilities began in the Kharkiv region
Polish paratroopers destroyed a platoon of war criminals from the 155th Marine Brigade in Kurshchyna
Defense
Ukraine's partners provide additional USD 70M to support demining
“A year ago, together with our partners, we met at a demining forum in Zagreb, Croatia. Back then, we had 18 operators, about 3,000 sappers and 32 demining vehicles. Today, 58 operators have been certified, the number of deminers has grown to more than 4,000, and 98 demining machines are working in the fields,” said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
Japan to provide Ukraine with additional military equipment
Denmark announces $350M military aid package for Ukraine
Politics
Zelensky in Brussels calls for necessity of decisive, unified action to prevent Putin from gaining strength
“Right now, we must act decisively and in unity to prevent Putin from gaining strength and further fueling the war. Weapons and equipment for our warriors, air defense systems, long-range capabilities, and – crucially – strengthening our defense industry through appropriate investments, along with implementing financial aid agreements,” he posted on Facebook.
Some elements of Ukraine’s Victory Plan should be launched now - Polish expert
Ukraine's Victory Plan to be reassessed after U.S. presidential election - Tusk
Society
Ukrainian church says brawl in Cherkasy church “deliberate provocation” to discredit Ukraine
The clashes outside the St. Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy were an attempt to create content for Russian propaganda.
"The head of the local unit of the Moscow Patriarchate is Metropolitan Feodosii (Snigiriev), who has long been under investigation as a suspect in a series of criminal episodes. His case is under judicial review, that is, he is a person who, even against the background of Moscow Patriarchate’s unit in Ukraine, is particularly prominent over his pro-Russian views. Therefore, what happened yesterday in Cherkasy was a deliberate provocation by specific individuals who tried to create content for Russian propaganda," said Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zorya) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine said this on national television.
FSB agent sent from Russia to adjust strikes detained in Kharkiv
The detainee turned out to be a 37-year-old local resident. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) recruited the offender in Russia, where he fled at the beginning of the full-scale war as his wife lived there.
It has been established that at the direction of FSB officer Yevgeniy Konyakhin, the agent returned to Kharkiv in May 2023 via third countries and subsequently began carrying out enemy’s tasks.
The main targets of the invaders were military training grounds where the Ukrainian defenders were undergoing training.
The individual carried out reconnaissance missions under the guise of business trips, during which he covertly recorded the locations of defense facilities. He also attempted to ‘blindly’ utilize his acquaintances, including military personnel and volunteers.
Disguising his intentions as friendly conversations, the man sought to gather information about the bases of Ukrainian troops, their approximate numbers, and available weaponry.
The SBU uncovered the agent in advance, documented his criminal activities, and detained him as a result of a special operation. The suspect has been charged under part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – treason committed under martial law.
The suspect is currently in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.