Ukraine Invasion: Part 45

[MagicFox]

Thanks to all: contributors, lurkers and those in-between

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https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-4-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the war in Ukraine is not a “stalemate” in a comment to the media about Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s essay on the positional nature of warfare in Ukraine.
• Zaluzhny’s long essay, “Modern Positional Warfare and How to Win It,” outlines Zaluzhnyi’s consideration of the changes Ukraine must make to overcome the current “positional” stage of the war more clearly than the shorter op-ed and Economist article it accompanied.
• Zelensky also denied Western reports that US and European officials are pressuring Ukrainian officials to discuss the possibility of peace negotiations.
• NBC added that US officials have no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate with Ukraine or doubts that Russia can continue its war until Western aid for Ukraine falters.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) allegedly used claims that the Syrian government agreed to supply weapons to Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah to subsume remnants of the Wagner Group in Syria and seize their air defense systems.
• Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on November 3 and 4.
• Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on November 4.
• English-language Russian outlet the Moscow Times reported that the Russian government dismissed TASS General Director Sergei Mikhailov on July 5 due to TASS’s failure to align with Kremlin narratives while reporting on the Wagner Group rebellion.
• The Russian government is testing an electronic voting system ahead of the 2024 presidential elections, likely to further support efforts to manipulate the results in favor of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, north and south of Bakhmut, around Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, near Vuhledar, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in eastern and western Zaporizhia Oblast, and advanced in various sectors of the front.
• The BBC and Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona confirmed that at least 35,780 Russian servicemen have died in the war in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, as of November 3, 2023, including 923 deaths in the past two weeks.
• Russian authorities continue efforts to settle Russian citizens in occupied Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Zelensky, von der Leyen meet in Kyiv https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-von-der-leyen-meet-in-kyiv-discuss-ukraines-eu-accession-aid-to-kyiv/ discuss Ukraine's EU accession, aid to Kyiv.

⚡️Von der Leyen: Ukraine exports https://kyivindependent.com/von-der-leyen-ukraine-exports-100-million-tons-of-goods-through-eu-solidarity-lanes/ 100 million tons of goods through EU 'solidarity lanes"

⚡️Air Force: Ukraine targets https://kyivindependent.com/air-force-ukraine-targets-russian-ship-carrying-kalibr-missiles-in-occupied-crimea/ Russian ship carrying Kalibr missiles in Crimea.
Earlier on Nov. 4, Sergey Aksyonov, head of the illegal Russian occupation government in Ukraine's Crimea, wrote on Telegram that air defense was at work near a shipyard in the city of Kerch. Debris from one of the intercepted missiles fell onto one of the dry docks. [guess that's what you were referring to @blueshoes ]

The Russian MoD confirmed that Ukrainian cruise missiles damaged the Russian cruise missile carrier "Askold," located in a shipyard in Kerch, a city in Russian-occupied Crimea. kyivindependent.com/military-ukraine-damages-russian-cruiser-in-crimea/

Ukrainian forces have destroyed a Russian "Pole-21" electronic warfare system, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of the Tavria Group fighting on the southern front lines, reported on Nov. 5. https://kyivindependent.com/military-ukraine-destroys-russian-electronic-warfare-system/

⚡️Media: Russian forces could have killed https://kyivindependent.com/media-6/ more than 20 Ukrainian troops at award ceremony.
Russian forces could have killed more than 20 Ukrainian soldiers who were gathered in a front-line village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast for an award ceremony, online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported on Nov. 4, citing a source in the Interior Ministry.
The soldiers of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade attended the ceremony on Nov. 3 to receive honors on Missile Forces and Artillery Day, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

⚡️Defense Ministry to investigate https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-to-investigate-award-ceremony-incident/ award ceremony incident.

⚡️https://kyivindependent.com/presidential-office-on-zaluzhnyis-article-military-should-refrain-from-disclosing-front-line-situation/
The Ukrainian Presidential Office's deputy head Ihor Zhovkva criticized Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi's recent comments in the press, alleging that he went too far disclosing battlefield information to the public.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

The Russian enemy targeted an infrastructural facility in the Dnipro area, reports the Regional Military Administration.
Preliminary, without victims.

Ukraine is planning a large-scale winter ‘drone campaign’ against occupiers, according to the Independent.
Brigadier General Serhii Baranov of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the harsh winter weather conditions would hinder ground attacks by the Russians.
Baranov explained, ‘We intend to leverage the experience we have gained in previous years and utilize drones to deliver a significant blow to the Russians during periods of more static fighting. Crimea and border areas within Russia will experience new aerial bombardments.’

💥 The Air Force commander has confirmed the destruction of the latest Russian Federation ship in Kerch.
On November 4, explosions were heard in annexed Crimea, leading to an air alert. Mykola Oleschuk later reported that Ukrainian pilots conducted airstrikes on the infrastructure of the “Zaliv” shipbuilding plant in Kerch. At that time, the ship’s status was uncertain. However, on the following morning, Oleschuk confirmed the destruction of one of the newest Russian Kalibr carriers.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The Ministry of Defense sued https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2023/11/04/minoboroni-vigralo-majzhe-400-miljoniv-griven-v-inozemnogo-postachalnika-bronezhiletiv-ta-sholomiv/ a foreign supplier of helmets and body armor for about €10 million
During the spring and summer of 2022, the company supplied Ukraine with goods of inadequate quality.

🔥Russian sources report that a Russian Karakurt-class ship Project 22800 was hit in a Ukrainian strike today at the shipbuilding yard in Kerch, Crimea
We are waiting for official information from the General Staff of Ukraine

A cat that personifies all hatred for the Russian occupiers
The photo was taken in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region. The animals still come to the place where the bread was brought out of habit, because they were fed there, although this building was bombed by the Russians

Yuriy Glodan, a man from Odesa who lost his three-month-old daughter and wife last year after a Russian missile hit a residential building in Odesa, died at the front.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Zelensky: Ukraine's military considering new strategy https://kyivindependent.com/military-coming-up-with-new-strategy-zelensky-says/ to move forward.
Ukraine is considering a shift in its military strategy to "move forward faster" and strike Russia "unexpectedly," President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on Nov. 5.

⚡️Russia, Saudi Arabia to restrict https://kyivindependent.com/russia-saudi-arabia-to-restrict-supply-of-crude-oil-through-end-of-year/ supply of crude oil through end of year.
Russia and Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporters, confirmed that their voluntary crude oil supply cuts would continue until the end of 2023, Reuters reported on Nov. 5.

⚡️Official: Russian ammunition depot on fire https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ammunition-depot-on-fire-deep-in-occupied-donetsk-oblast/ deep in occupied Donetsk Oblast.

⚡️Russian media: Construction begins https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-construction-begins-on-railway-linking-rostov-on-don-to-occupied-crimea/ on railway linking Rostov-on-Don to occupied Crimea.
Yevhen Balytsky, the head of Russia's proxies in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, told reporters that the railway will run from Yakymivka, near Melitopol, to Rostov-on-Don via Berdiansk and Mariupol.

Ukraine has launched mass production of kamikaze drones with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, Herman Smetanin, the head of the state-owned Ukrainian Defense Industry concern, formerly known as Ukroboronprom, told Ukrainska Pravda. https://kyivindependent.com/ukroboronprom-confirms-mass-production-of-ukrainian-long-range-drones/

⚡️Zelensky invites https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-invites-trump-to-ukraine-claims-presidential-candidate-cant-manage-this-war/ Trump to Ukraine, claims presidential candidate 'can't manage this war.’
Volodymyr Zelensky invited U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump to Ukraine during an interview with NBC News on Nov. 5.
Responding to Trump’s claim that he could end Russia’s war in Ukraine in 24 hours, Zelensky said he would prove to the former U.S. president that he couldn’t.

⚡️Military: Only 7% of troops in Russian 'volunteer units' in occupied Ukrainian territories are locals. https://kyivindependent.com/military-only-7-of-troops-in-russian-volunteer-units-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories-are-locals/
Only 7% of personnel serving in Russian "Sudoplatov" and "Margelov" pseudo-volunteer battalions in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts are locals, the Ukrainian military's National Resistance Center reported on Nov. 5, citing Russia's estimates....which means most residents of the occupied territories have ignored Russia's recruitment campaign into so-called volunteer battalions, according to the center

Russian forces struck an infrastructure facility in Odesa Oblast with a Kh-31P missile launched from the Black Sea on Nov. 5, wounding three people, the Southern Command reported. https://kyivindependent.com/military-russian-missile-strike-injures-3-in-odesa/

⚡️PM Shmyhal: 20,000 families granted funds https://kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-20-000-families-granted-funds-to-repair-homes-damaged-in-attacks/ to repair homes damaged in attacks.

Russian drone and missile attack on Odesa the night of Nov. 5 caused significant damage to the Odesa Fine Arts Museum, Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov told Suspilne. https://kyivindependent.com/mayor-russian-strike-damages-odesa-art-museum/

Russian forces struck an infrastructure facility in Odesa Oblast with a Kh-31P missile launched from the Black Sea on Nov. 5, wounding three people, the Southern Command reported. https://kyivindependent.com/military-russian-missile-strike-injures-3-in-odesa/

A promotional video appearing to show Ukrainian soldiers being recruited to fight in Israel was exposed as a Russian fabrication, according to an investigation by the outlet Ukrinform published Nov. 4. https://kyivindependent.com/video-of-idf-recruiting-ukrainians-exposed-as-fake/

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - NOV 6
■ Strikes up, engagements below average
■ Troop losses remain high, relatively few equipment losses
■ 7-day MLRS losses remain at a record 2023 level
■ Oryx: 72:15added to records, 4.1x ratio in the last 30 days

I can't get over the Russian losses, day after day.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

🇷🇺🇱🇾 Moscow is reportedly in negotiations for the construction of a naval base in Libya, a move that could potentially serve as a strategic bridgehead for monitoring the entire European Union, as reported by Bloomberg.
Sources within the publication suggest that discussions are underway for a defense agreement between President Putin and military leader Khalifa Haftar, who holds control over Tobruk and numerous key oil facilities. Haftar is seeking air defense capabilities, pilot training, and special forces support. In exchange, he is considering granting Russia rights to establish air bases and permanently station Russian warships in the port of Tobruk.

The Truth Hounds organization has obtained a recent satellite image of the Zalyv shipyard in Kerch, which was targeted in a missile attack just yesterday. The image reveals two emergency cranes near the ship. While the Air Force spokesperson reported damage to the Askold missile boat, the Kalibr carrier, the picture does not clearly show the significant impact and its consequences.

The European Commission has expressed deep concern about the recent surge in anti-Semitism across Europe, describing it as reaching extraordinary levels. In a statement, the European Commission strongly denounced manifestations of anti-Semitism in several countries, particularly following the outbreak of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The European Commission's statement highlighted several troubling incidents, such as Molotov cocktails thrown into a synagogue in Germany, the painting of Stars of David on residential buildings in France, the desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Austria, attacks on Jewish shops and synagogues in Spain, and numerous spontaneous demonstrations featuring hate slogans against Jews.

... and the anti-semitism is fucking terrifying.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

Zelensky said that a criminal case had been opened over the deaths of the 128th Assault Brigade. [20+ people killed at a gathering for an awards ceremony. I wonder who told the Russians ... ]

Ukrainian warriors also managed to take pictures against the backdrop of the aurora borealis

Moscow is reportedly in negotiations for the construction of a naval base in Libya, a move that could potentially serve as a strategic bridgehead for monitoring the entire European Union, as reported by Bloomberg.

Maybe significant OTOH maybe not and certainly not something completely new...it's more a case of renewing old arrangements.

Back in cold war days we used to see Soviet aircraft and ships (often intelligence gathering types) regularly operating into/out of facilities in Libya.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/russia-and-libya-a-brief-history-of-an-on-again-off-again-friendship/

Sorry if this has already been discussed and I missed it. Russia withdraws from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-revokes-russias-ratification-nuclear-test-ban-treaty-2023-11-02/

Re the withdrawal from the treaty Peter Zeihan always talks about a worst case scenario being that Putin does hit a big red button and nothing works - Ie what do the Americans, who would know, so in that scenario? His point being, if I've followed right, is that the withdrawal underscores the sense of uncertainty about who has command and control over the arsenal and how it's been kept.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-5-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces conducted a successful strike on a Russian shipyard in Kerch, occupied Crimea on November 4, likely damaging a naval vessel. Ukrainian forces reportedly intensified strikes on rear Russian areas in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea on November 5.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to NBC and repeated that the war is not in a stalemate.
• Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and made confirmed gains in western Zaporizhia Oblast and on the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast on November 5.
• Chechen officials announced that Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov appointed his 15-year-old-son Adam to a prominent position in a Chechen security service, though there is confusion over Adam Kadyrov’s exact position.
• Courts in the Republic of Dagestan reportedly charged participants in the antisemitic riots on October 29 with minor crimes and issued limited punishments.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas.
• A Russian milblogger called on Russian “propagandists” to increase the use of Russian propaganda against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) held in Russia in an effort to increase the number of “volunteers” in the Russian military.
• Kremlin-appointed Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova continued to promote the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of vacations.

Sensible interview with Velina Tchakarova. She suggests the war won't end before 2025/6 and discusses in the wider context

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stratnews-global/id1526925182?i=1000633934768

Unless there is a collapse of some sort (which is possible) Russia is playing a waiting game.

Not sure if this news has been posted yet but looks like a major screw up from a protection POV.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/grenade-among-birthday-gifts-kills-adviser-to-ukraines-military-chief

Yes, the news first broke last night I think. Disastrous. And his poor bloody family.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Borrell admits conflict in Israel affecting https://kyivindependent.com/borrell-admits-conflict-in-israel-affecting-policy-towards-ukraine/ policy towards Ukraine. [I can't help wondering if Russia had a hand in nudging Iran to encourage the attack, in order to divert attention from Ukraine. Not that it is the only factor, but still.]

⚡️Russia formally withdraws https://kyivindependent.com/russia-withdraws-from-conventional-armed-forces-treaty/ from European Conventional Armed Forces treaty.

⚡️Military Intelligence: Russia stockpiling https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-russia-stockpiling/ missiles in anticipation of freezing temperatures. [Up to 870 as of now]

⚡️ FT: 127 UK companies admit breaching https://kyivindependent.com/ft-127-uk-companies-admit-violating-russia-sanctions/ Russia sanctions.
A total of 127 U.K. companies admitted to breaching British sanctions against Russia as of May 17, the Financial Times reported [ Some of these seem to have been honest mistakes]

⚡️ Zaluzhnyi's aide killed in explosion https://kyivindependent.com/zaluzhnyis-aide-killed-in-explosion-at-home/ at home near Kyiv.
Major Hennadii Chastiakov, an assistant of Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was killed by an explosive device in his home, Zaluzhnyi announced on Nov. 6. Chastiakov's wife reportedly said that her husband was killed by a grenade contained in a gift bag with alcohol he brought home, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing its sources in law enforcement.

⚡️ Military: Russian ship Askold possibly beyond repair https://kyivindependent.com/military-russias-ship-askold-possibly-beyond-repair-following-ukraines-strike/ following Ukraine's strike.

⚡️French arms manufacturer signs https://kyivindependent.com/french-arms-manufacturer-signs-35-million-euro-deal-to-supply-ukrainian-military/ $38 million deal to supply Ukrainian military.
France's oldest arms manufacturer Verney-Carron has signed a $38 million contract to supply Ukraine with 10,000 assault rifles, 2,000 sniper rifles, and 400 grenade launchers, its parent company CYBERGUN Group announced on Nov. 6.

⚡️Reuters: Ex-Wagner fighters training https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-ex-wagner-fighters-training-in-chechnya/ in Chechnya.

Military: Russia loses almost 7,000 soldiers killed or wounded https://kyivindependent.com/military-russia-loses-7-000-soldiers-350-armored-vehicles-at-avdiivka/ near Avdiivka incl almost 7,000 soldiers killed or wounded, 100 tanks, and 250 other armored vehicles in the past three weeks, the 47th Mechanized Brigade said on Nov. 6.

Russian forces in occupied Kherson Oblast have been laying mines and burying explosives by gas lines, electrical substations, and other pieces of critical infrastructure, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Nov. 7. https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-russia-mining-critical-infrastructure-in-occupied-kherson-oblast/

⚡️ Ukraine's 128th brigade confirms 19 of its soldiers were killed https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-128th-brigade-confirms-19-of-its-soldiers-were-killed-in-russian-strike/ in Russian strikeNov. 3 strike on a front-line village during a military award ceremony. [another fuckup, @notimagain ]

⚡️ Fico says he won't hinder arms sales https://kyivindependent.com/fico-says-he-wont-hinder-arms-sales-from-slovak-companies-to-ukraine/ from Slovak companies to Ukraine.
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said his government will not prevent arms sales from Slovak companies to Ukraine, the Slovak news outlet Dennik N reported on Nov. 6.

⚡️ Georgian officials: Russian troops kill Georgian man https://kyivindependent.com/tbilisi-russian-troops-kill-georgian-civilian-near-occupied-south-ossetia-boundary/ near occupied South Ossetia boundary.
Russian soldiers shot a Georgian man to death in Georgia near the illegal boundary with Russian-occupied South Ossetia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Nov. 6, citing Georgia's State Security Service (SUS).

⚡️Ambassador: First group of Ukrainians https://kyivindependent.com/ambassador-first-group-of-ukrainians-to-be-evacuated-from-gaza-on-nov-7/ to be evacuated from Gaza on Nov. 7.

⚡️ Media: Trump declines https://kyivindependent.com/media-trump-declines-zelenskys-visit-to-ukraine/ Zelensky's invite to Ukraine over 'conflict of interests.' "I have great respect for President Zelensky, but think it would be inappropriate to go to Ukraine at this time," the Republican favorite for the 2024 presidential elections said in a statement to Newsmax.

⚡️ Russian FSB colonel suspected of torturing https://kyivindependent.com/russian-fsb-colonel-suspected-of-torturing-kherson-oblast-residents/ Kherson Oblast residents.

From Ragnar, record 7-day losses. Extraordinary determination and ruthlessness.

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - NOV 7
■ Relatively few strikes on both sides reported
■ Combat engagements up between days though
■ Troop losses remain high, record high 30-day losses
■ Equipment losses below 7-day average

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-6-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Imprisoned ardent nationalist and former Russian officer Igor Girkin argued that Russian forces will be “even less capable of offensive operations than they are now” by spring 2024 given the current nature of Russian offensive operations along the frontline.
• Russian milbloggers appear to be grappling with how Russian forces can overcome wider operational challenges in Ukraine, likely in response to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s recent essay on the subject of “positional warfare,” and not coming to optimistic conclusions.
• Select Russian milbloggers specifically argued that the use of small infantry assaults groups will allow both Russian and Ukrainian forces to better achieve operational objectives along the front. Russian sources suggested that some Ukrainian forces may already be fielding the small infantry assault groups that these sources are advocating for.
• The war in Ukraine is likely exacerbating an emerging identity crisis within Russian society resulting from tensions between Russian identity and Russian nationalism.
• Russian forces conducted missile and drones strikes against rear areas in southern Ukraine on the evening of November 5 and on the night of November 5 to 6 as well as the largest series of glide bomb strikes to date against targets in Kherson Oblast on November 5.
• The Russian military appears to have increased its stock of high-precision missiles due to reported increases in Russian missile production more rapidly than previous forecasts had suggested.
• Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas on November 6.
• Russian occupation officials are expanding military recruitment and registration offices in occupied territories, likely in support of coercive mobilization efforts.
• Russian officials continue to weaponize youth engagement programs to consolidate social control of occupied areas of Ukraine.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

In October, Russia reportedly produced 115 precision-guided missiles with a range of over 350 km, according to information provided by the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Skibitsky.

In the temporarily occupied region of Crimea, a severe drought has led to a significant reduction in the water levels of rivers that supply bulk water reservoirs. The Bilohirske and Taigan reservoirs have ceased discharging water into the Buyuk-Karasu River, which in turn provides water to the North Crimean Canal. This has resulted in the canals becoming nearly dry.
The authorities of the occupation claim that the water reserves on the annexed peninsula are sufficient to meet the needs of the population for a year. The drought and its impact on water sources pose significant challenges and potential concerns for the region.

Hundreds of information operations, thousands of cyberattacks and millions of bots with fake news are the components of the real war between Ukraine and Russia, unfolding in cyberspace. This confrontation has already been named the First cyberwar in history. One of the main actors of Ukrainian cyber security tells what are the primary targets of Russians’ attacks and how it can affect not only Ukrainians but the entire world. https://t.me/United24media/15098

The Canadian government has delivered the DIGITAL VANGUARD-S remote demining robotic complex to the sappers of the State Emergency Service.

Australia has implemented personal sanctions against 28 individuals appointed by Russia, including collaborators, ministers, and high-ranking officials.

Yermak criticized the West's fatigue from the war in Ukraine, as reported by Politico https://www.politico.eu/article/top-zelenskyy-aide-slams-west-over-war-fatigue/
Key points from the interview include:

▫️The concept of war fatigue is a narrative propagated by Russian propaganda to weaken the resolve of Ukraine's allies.

▫️Ukraine is determined to avoid being stuck in a frozen conflict.

▫️The shortage of shells in the Ukrainian Armed Forces is attributed to the challenges of reaching 100% of troops in active warfare.

▫️Ukraine is planning to increase domestic shell production with Western support.

▫️Ukraine aims to strengthen its partnership with Israel.

▫️Western support for Ukraine remains consistent, irrespective of the Hamas attack on Israel.

▫️Ukraine is preparing to initiate negotiations for EU membership in the near future.

🐶 An interesting fact indeed! The canine service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine consists of approximately a thousand service dogs.

The ship "Askold", hit by "missile fragments".

The development of Ukroboronprom includes the creation of an armored repair and evacuation vehicle called "Lev," which is based on the T-72 tank chassis. This vehicle is designed for the maintenance and recovery of armored vehicles in the field, enhancing the capabilities of the Ukrainian military.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇩🇪Germany is still undecided on supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles and doubts that these missiles can radically change the situation at the front, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

Zelensky said that now is not the time to prepare for elections, but rather to focus on the fight against the occupiers.

Additional NASAMS systems have been put on alert, the President of Ukraine said. He called it a timely reinforcement of air defense on the eve of winter.

🇵🇱Polish carriers have gone on strike at three checkpoints on the Polish-Ukrainian border, the State Border Guard Service has said.
The protesters are blocking truck traffic and demanding the return of the need for permits for Ukrainian carriers and want Poles to avoid having to stand in an e-queue in Ukraine.

🇪🇺 The European Commission believes that Ukraine has fulfilled 4 out of 7 criteria for accession - Radio Liberty

The European Commission believes that Ukraine has fully met the following criteria:

▫️implementation of legislation on the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court;
▫️completion of integrity checks of candidates for the High Council of Justice and establishment of the High Qualification Commission of Judges;
▫️compliance of the anti-money laundering legislation with FATF standards and approval of the strategic plan for reforming the entire law enforcement sector;
▫️reform of the media sector, namely bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

At the same time, the other three criteria - the fight against corruption, limiting the influence of oligarchs, and legislation on national minorities - are accompanied by recommendations for further implementation.

The drought in Crimea might get tricky. The Nova Kakhovka dam supplied Crimea with water too, which has obviously stopped now. If this isn't sorted by next year it could affect agriculture.

Yes, I wondered whether blowing up the Kakhovka dam might come back to bite the invaders in the bum. Good, then.

NATO is withdrawing from the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty that limited the concentration of land forces in Europe. Russia recently withdrew from the treaty, which is a strangely self-sabotaging step considering the state of its army. I'm pleased to see this step by NATO.

This link should bypass the paywall.

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-nato-to-suspend-participation-in-landmark-cold-war-arms-treaty-ddc08089?st=qxbnermtdfahs5t&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

I agree this is the right move from NATO but there are a LOT of control treaties being withdrawn from atm