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Ukraine Invasion: Part 59

1000 replies

MagicFox · 17/10/2025 22:11

Well, it’s thread 59.

Thanks to all regular contributors, especially those doing the daily hard work. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

D. Please keep on topic

OP posts:
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ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 05/11/2025 12:22

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ EU approves 1.8 billion euros (kyivindependent.com/eu-approves-1-8-billion-euros-for-ukraine-under-long-term-funding-plan/) for Ukraine under long-term funding plan.
The Council of the EU approved on Nov. 4 the fifth tranche of the Ukraine Facility funding in the amount of 1.8 billion euros ($2.1 billion).

⚡️ Germany to increase aid to Ukraine by 3 billion euros (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-live-hur-releases-combat-footage-from-pokrovsk-fierce-battles-ongoing/) in 2026.
"We will continue our support for as long as necessary to defend against Russia's war of aggression," a spokesperson for the finance ministry said.

Zelensky rejects ‘second-tier’ EU status, urges swift accession talks (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-rejects-second-tier-eu-status-urges-swift-accession-talks/)
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not accept a second-tier status in the European Union and must be treated as a full member of the bloc once it is invited.

⚡️Belgium shuts down Brussels Airport (https://kyivindependent.com/belgium-shuts-down-brussels-airport-due-to-suspicious-drone-sighting/) due to suspicious drone sighting.
It is the first time Brussels Airport has closed due to drone activity. More drones were also spotted near Belgium's Kleine Brogel Air Base, which houses F-16 fighter jets.

⚡️Russia's Oreshnik missile (kyivindependent.com/russias-oreshnik-missile-enters-serial-production-putin-claims-nearly-1-year-after-promising-to-mass-produce-weapon/) enters serial production, Putin claims — nearly 1 year after promising to mass produce weapon
"We have developed and deployed the Oreshnik medium-range missile system, and have begun serial production," Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Nov. 4.

⚡️Zelensky visits (kyivindependent.com/president-zelensky-visits-fronline-pokrovsk-azov/) Azov National Guard troops at the front line near Pokrovsk.
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a command post of the 1st corps, which is conducting a defensive operation in the Dobropillia sector together with adjacent units

⚡️Explosions reported in Russia's Oryol Oblast — residents claim missile attack (kyivindependent.com/explosions-reported-in-russias-oryol-oblast-residents-claim-missile-attack/).

⚡️ Russia ends seasonal draft model (kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-law-allowing-year-round-conscription-in-russia/), moves to year-round conscription from 2026.
While Russian conscripts are officially barred from being deployed abroad, reports indicate that many are pressured into signing contracts with Russia's Defense Ministry and sent to fight in Ukraine.

⚡️Ukrainian prosecutors accused (kyivindependent.com/prosecutors-search-detectives-premises-amid-conflict-with-anti-corruption-agency/) of using force against operative amid conflict with anti-graft agency.
Prosecutors searched the premises of an employee of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and allegedly used physical force against him on Nov. 4, the bureau said in a statement. The search was conducted without a court warrant, according to the bureau.
The report comes amid a conflict between the NABU one the one hand and the President's Office, the Prosecutor General's Office and other law enforcement agencies on the other hand.

⚡️Update: Ukrainian ombudsman to investigate prison conditions of Nord Stream suspect (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-suspect-in-nord-stream-sabotage-case-declares-hunger-strike-in-italian-prison/) in Italy.
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Nov. 4 that a representative from his office would attempt to investigate Serhii Kuznetsov's detention in person after receiving reports from his lawyer of inhumane conditions.

⚡️ Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotage case declares hunger strike (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-suspect-in-nord-stream-sabotage-case-declares-hunger-strike-in-italian-prison/) in Italian prison.
The suspect demands respect for his "fundamental rights, including the right to adequate food, a healthy environment, dignified detention conditions, and equal treatment with other prisoners regarding family visits and access to information," his lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, said.

⚡️Video shows (https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-launched-after-russian-troops-stroke-with-drone-civilians-walking-with-white-flag/) Russian drone killing civilians with white flag, Ukraine opens war crimes investigation.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 4h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — NOV 5, 2025
■ Engagements and casualties below the 7-day average
Drone and land-based equipment losses also below average
■ Officer death batch: +33 (5.3 per day since start)
■ Overnight attacks: double-digit, all drones; interception rate could be better
■ Double-digit 🇺🇦 strikes two days in a row, fewer 🇷🇺 air strikes but MLRS ones stay above average

Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 05/11/2025 12:25

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Sweden will hold NATO anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Baltic Sea from November 10 to 14, the Swedish Armed Forces reported. Starting in autumn 2026, such drills will become regular.
“Due to the uneven rocky seabed and brackish water, the Baltic Sea is an ideal hiding place for submarines. During the maneuvers, our military will share with the Alliance their expertise in countering submarines in challenging conditions,” the statement said.

Putin will not attend the G20 summit in South Africa. Instead, Oreshkin will lead the Russian delegation.
In addition to the deputy head of Putin's administration, the delegation will include four more officials: Denis Agafonov, head of the expert department of the Russian President; his deputy, Svetlana Lukash; Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin; and Deputy Minister of Finance Ivan Chebeskov.
The G20 summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 20 to 24.

Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik announced a $7 billion allocation for Ukraine’s defense in 2026 and confirmed continued support, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said after their meeting.
A memorandum was signed between Ukrainian and Norwegian companies to create a joint defense enterprise in Ukraine, boosting the defense-industrial capabilities of both countries.
Alongside transferring F-16s and supporting Ukrainian aviation, Norway actively participates in the PURL initiative and the Maritime Capabilities Coalition.

😈 The Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter, stolen by a Russian pilot in the summer of 2023, is now listed on the HUR’s balance sheet. [stolen? what story is this?]

Russia launched four times more Shahed drones in 2025 than in the previous year — Sky News.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, more than 44,000 Shahed drones and their variants were launched this year. Analysts note that the 303% surge in attacks has placed unprecedented pressure on Ukraine’s air defense system.
About 64% of the drones were shot down, compared to 68% in 2024, as large-scale strikes continue to overwhelm defenses.

The US has officially lifted sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia.
The move followed the release of a group of political activists by Belarusian authorities, the US Treasury said.
Additionally, a private plane used by Lukashenko’s family was removed from the sanctions list, and three aircraft linked to the Belarusian president were allowed to operate.

In Russia, officials complain that no European journalists have agreed to visit Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, or Myrnohrad to witness “Ukrainian soldiers surrounded.
“More than 150 journalists from Western media outlets—including TV channels, news agencies, and newspapers—officially refused to travel at the invitation of the Russian authorities. Several hundred more simply ignored Putin’s calls and declined to cover the story,” reports the pro-government Telegram channel Insider Black.

It is unfair, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, commenting on Hungary’s veto on Ukraine’s EU accession.
“Hungary gave the green light to grant Ukraine candidate status and start negotiations, and now it is blocking them. It is unfair,” Kos said at the Euronews summit on EU enlargement in Brussels.
The European Commission and the European Council are currently seeking ways to overcome Hungary’s veto on opening negotiation clusters with Ukraine.

After seven failed attempts, a Ukrainian soldier was finally evacuated by ground drone of the First Separate Medical Battalion from a Russian-controlled village. Thirty-three days passed between his injury and the successful rescue.
The operation lasted 5 hours and 58 minutes, covering 64 kilometers. On its way to the wounded soldier, the ground robotic vehicle hit an anti-personnel mine but continued to move despite a damaged wheel. During the return, a Russian drone attacked, but the armored capsule protected the soldier. He is now receiving treatment, and his life is no longer in danger. https://t.me/United24media/36935

UNITED24Media

After seven failed attempts, a Ukrainian soldier was finally evacuated by ground drone of the First Separate Medical Battalion from a Russian-controlled village. Thirty-three days passed between his injury and the successful rescue. The operation last...

https://t.me/United24media/36935

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 05/11/2025 12:28

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

US Senators lash out after quiet decisions to pause military aid to Kyiv (www.kyivpost.com/post/63644) and pull a US brigade from Romania baffle NATO’s eastern flank.

A Chinese spy has been handed a six‑year prison sentence in Ukraine (www.kyivpost.com/post/63623) after trying to seize confidential technical documents linked to a domestic aircraft, the Prosecutor General’s Office reveals.

Poland has strongly denied rumors (www.kyivpost.com/post/63565) that Ukrainian soldiers receive preferential treatment in Polish hospitals, calling it “disinformation” and part of a “Russian narrative.”

Ukrainian drones operated struck Russia’s Lukoil Nizhny Novgorod Refinery in Kstovo overnight.
According to Kyiv Post sources, over 50 domestically produced drones, including “Bober” and FP-1 models, targeted the facility during repair works on a rectification column damaged in a previous strike.
Videos shared by Russian users show explosions and fires at the site. The refinery, one of Russia’s largest, supplies the Moscow region (about 30% of the country’s gasoline consumption) and supports the Russian military and defense sector.

Why Ukraine Matters? — In an interview with Kyiv Post, British musician Jonny Foster, frontman of Hardwick Circus, describes the band’s ongoing tour across Ukraine during wartime.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 05/11/2025 12:31

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺🇧🇪 The European Commission and the Belgian government will meet on Friday to try to break the political deadlock over using frozen Russian assets to fund a €140 billion “reparations loan” for Ukraine, Politico reports.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is opposing the Commission’s plan, fearing his government could be held financially liable if “an army of Kremlin lawyers” sues over the initiative. At the October EU leaders’ summit, De Wever demanded stronger guarantees to shield Belgium from legal and financial risks.
Ukraine is expected to face a budget shortfall next year if the funds are not disbursed by spring. Without an agreement on using Russian assets, the European Commission has warned EU governments that they will have to support Kyiv from their own budgets.

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) struck the headquarters of Russia’s Center for Advanced Drone Technologies “Rubikon.”
The facility was located in a partially destroyed building in occupied Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Intelligence operatives hit the site with an FP-2 strike drone carrying 105 kg of explosives.
The attack killed Russian officers and drone operators stationed there.
◾️ “Rubikon” is considered one of the most capable Russian drone units, which took part in the Kursk operation and continues to operate in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions.

SBU special forces have eliminated 1,500 Russian troops in and around Pokrovsk over the past month.
Fighters from the “Alpha” Special Operations Center have also been actively targeting Russian equipment. Within a month, they destroyed:
🔴20 tanks
🔴 62 armored fighting vehicles
🔴 39 artillery systems and MLRS
🔴 10 air defense systems
🔴 8 electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems
🔴 532 vehicles
🔴 592 enemy positions and fortifications
🔴 2 ammunition depots and 1 fuel storage facility

🛢 An oil spill has been spotted near the port of Tuapse in the Black Sea, stretching approximately 3.6 kilometers.
On the night of Sunday, the port was attacked by drones operated by Ukraine’s SBU together with other Defense Forces units. Five drone strikes were recorded.
A tanker caught fire, and at least four oil-loading stands used for loading and unloading tankers were put out of service. Several port buildings were also damaged.
The port hosts the RN Tuapse Marine Terminal and an oil refinery owned by the state company Rosneft.

🇮🇪 The Irish government is considering reducing the housing period for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in state accommodation from 90 to 30 days.
Officials warned that with the current high rate of arrivals — nearly 50 Ukrainians per day — available housing could run out by the end of the month.
Since February 2022, more than 120,000 Ukrainians have received temporary protection in Ireland, with around 83,000 still residing in the country.

🇪🇺 The European Commission has urged Ukraine to strengthen reforms in the rule of law and anti-corruption sectors.
According to a draft report seen by Reuters, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to show “remarkable commitment” to its path toward EU integration.
At the same time, the Commission stressed that Kyiv must make greater progress in ensuring the independence of the judiciary, combating organized crime, and protecting civil society.
EU officials also voiced concern over attempts by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General to tighten control over the country’s key anti-corruption bodies — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The document notes that, although Ukraine enjoys broad support among EU governments, membership in the near future is unlikely. Diplomats acknowledge that the path to accession will be difficult and will require unanimous approval from all member states.

notimagain · 05/11/2025 12:55

😈 The Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter, stolen by a Russian pilot in the summer of 2023, is now listed on the HUR’s balance sheet. [stolen? what story is this?]

I'd assume that's the Mi-8 used by a Russian pilot to defect in Aug 23 (you might member said pilot died in mysterious circumstances in Spain a few months later...)

I guess technically the helicopter itself was indeed stolen...

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 05/11/2025 14:45

Oh I see - that story. I misread it and thought Russia had stolen one! I do remember the pilot was murdered later, yes. Russia's reach is long.

blueshoes · 05/11/2025 18:29

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-4-2025/

Key Takeaways

  1. Recent Russian advances through Pokrovsk are the culmination of a 21-month campaign to seize the town and a five-month dedicated battlefield air interdiction (BAI) effort to degrade Ukrainian defensive capabilities.
  2. The current battlespace in the Pokrovsk direction took Russian forces 21 months to achieve.
  3. Russian forces began achieving partial BAI effects against Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in the Pokrovsk direction in July 2025, at which point Russian forces effectively denied Ukrainian forces the ability to use Pokrovsk as a logistics hub.
  4. These Russian BAI interdiction efforts have not proven as effective across the entire frontline, however, and will not necessarily be exportable to other parts of the theater.
  5. Russian forces continue advancing through Pokrovsk, and Ukrainian forces continue defensive efforts in the Pokrovsk direction.
  6. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed two laws on November 4 that likely aim to facilitate the use of Russia’s inactive reserve in a protracted war in Ukraine and a possible war against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as the use of the active reserve in combat in Ukraine.
  7. Russian forces continue to commit war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
  8. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast and within and near Pokrovsk. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/11/2025 13:51

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Ukraine’s defense of Pokrovsk on a knife-edge as high command resists calls to withdraw (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-defense-of-pokrovsk-on-a-knife-edge-as-high-command-resists-calls-to-withdraw/)
“If someone does not sign an order to withdraw troops from Pokrovsk and Myrnhohrad in the near future, we may find ourselves in a situation where we will not only lose a significant number of highly motivated paratroopers and marines,” journalist and volunteer Vitalii Deineha, co-founder of the Come Back Alive fund, wrote on Facebook.
“We may find ourselves in a situation where there is no one to patch the hole in the front, and the fortifications dug in our rear will quickly fall to the enemy.”

⚡️'I'm not going to represent our country there' — Trump to skip (kyivindependent.com/im-not-going-to-represent-our-country-there-trump-to-skip-g20-summit-amid-criticism-of-south-africa/) G20 summit, dashing hopes of brokering meeting between Zelensky, Putin.

⚡️ Breaking: Russia should 'begin preparations for full-scale nuclear tests (kyivindependent.com/russian-defense-chief-calls-for-immediate-preparations-for-nuclear-testing/) immediately,' defense minister says.
Andrei Belousov was speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s Security Council, chaired by President Vladimir Putin.

‘Online Killboard’ — How to track Ukraine’s top drone units in (almost) real-time (kyivindependent.com/online-killboard-how-to-track-ukraines-top-drone-units-in-almost-real-time/)
Since July 2025, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have been running one of the most transparent projects of the war — an online “killboard” that lets anyone track confirmed Russian losses from Ukrainian drone strikes in near real time.

⚡️ 'A powerful secondary detonation (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-russian-shahed-base-at-donetsk-airport-with-missiles-and-drones/)' — Ukraine confirms drone, missile strike on Russian Shahed base at Donetsk airport.
Unmanned Systems Forces leader Madyar described the strike as the result of a "painstaking months-long reconnaissance operation."

⚡️ Ukraine war latest updates (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-update-2025-11-6/): Russian rebel group sabotages dozens of locomotives in attack on military logistics, HUR says.
According to the report and a video set to some jaunty music, the partisans set fire to dozens of trains used by Russian forces.

⚡️Ukraine reportedly strikes (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-reportedly-strikes-russias-volgograd-oil-refinery/) Russia's Volgograd oil refinery.
Ukraine's military reportedly struck and damaged Russia's Volgograd oil refinery overnight on Nov. 6, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian soldiers raise flag on Pokrovsk city council building, release video https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-update-2025-11-05/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN4kchleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebh0Yc_s7GkdzqRpidHdjy7HwagfZXQuYhEtEeykwsqiQjx7jf6l-ElsSbUs_aem_vY-sfg5BGOZhf-WaBeuz5g

Kyiv plots how to stretch finances as Brussels drags feet (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-plots-how-to-stretch-finances-as-brussels-drags-feet/)
Unspent funds from government ministries in 2025, ad-hoc government borrowing, and front-loading loans whose disbursements are currently scheduled throughout 2026 could contribute to a buffer early next year, a top Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine nuclear energy sector official arrested over bribery scheme (kyivindependent.com/energy-sector-official-arrested-for-bribery-scheme/)
Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies arrested the deputy general director of Atomnergomash, a subsidiary of state-run nuclear company Energoatom, over a bribery scheme, Ukraine’s National Anticorruption Bureau (NABU) reported on Nov. 5.

‘Catastrophic populism:’ Critics push back against Zelensky’s winter support package for Ukrainians (kyivindependent.com/catastrophic-populism-critics-push-back-against-zelenskys-winter-support-package-for-ukrainians/)
A winter support package proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration is facing strong criticism, with opponents calling it a populist scheme to boost the government’s dwindling popularity.

⚡️ Under the hood, Russia’s 'Reaper' drone copy is shockingly American (kyivindependent.com/follow-the-contracts-under-the-hood-russias-reaper-drone-copy-is-shockingly-american/).
The Orion was set to be Russia’s flagship unmanned vehicle until that position was usurped by Iranian-designed Shaheds.

⚡️Angelina Jolie reportedly visits front-line regions (kyivindependent.com/angelina-jolie-visits-kherson/) in southern Ukraine.
Photos circulating online show Jolie wearing a bullet-proof vest with a patch from the Legacy of War Foundation, a UK-registered non-profit tasked with aiding civilians during war. She reportedly visited local children while she traveled through the south.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — NOV 6, 2025
■ Most engagements this year so far, most casualties since early October
Equipment losses remain below their 7-day average
■ Overnight attacks: triple-digit, all drones; decent interception rate ■ Three 🇺🇦 strikes, 🇷🇺 air strikes below average but MLRS ones stay above average

Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/11/2025 13:55

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

NATO has surpassed Russia in ammunition production, Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
He noted that while Russia had previously led in output, the situation has changed as dozens of new production lines open and existing capacities expand.
Rutte added that Allied production volumes are now the highest in the past decade.
“We must build on this progress in other areas — from advanced air defense to interceptor drones,” he said.

President Zelenskyy held a phone call with Japan’s Prime Minister, inviting her to visit Ukraine.

Latvia will transfer 21 domestically produced Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, the Defense Ministry announced.

President Zelenskyy spoke with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić about European integration and regional security.
The Ukrainian leader said they also discussed the upcoming international agenda and agreed to stay in contact.
Earlier, Vučić noted that Serbia has significant ammunition reserves and production capacity and is ready to supply other European countries, even if the ammunition later reaches Ukraine.

Norway is considering backing a European military loan of over €100 billion for Ukraine with its €1.7 trillion sovereign wealth fund, The Times reports.
EU leaders plan to lend €140 billion to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets, but Belgium, which manages the funds, has resisted, citing repayment risks. Negotiators aim to persuade Belgium at a meeting on Friday.

❗️Russians have begun accusing the West of allegedly preparing sabotage at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
These claims are baseless and may suggest that Russia itself is planning a provocation at the plant, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported. The main goal of such statements is to intimidate people in Ukraine and Europe.
Russia bears full responsibility for the plant’s security, as it occupied the facility, deployed military equipment there, and continues to pressure its staff.

The EU is preparing to nearly stop issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russian citizens, Politico reports, citing European officials.
Under the new rules, Russians would mostly receive single-entry visas. Exceptions would apply only for humanitarian reasons or EU citizens. The restrictions could be approved as soon as this week.

Germany’s National Security Council held its first meeting, focusing on hybrid threats from Russia.
According to a spokesman for Merz, the discussion centered on adopting an interdepartmental action plan to counter such threats.
“The plan includes measures for counterintelligence and the protection of critical infrastructure. This is the federal government’s response to the growing number and intensity of hybrid threats against Germany, particularly from Russia,” said Cornelius.

❗️Putin instructed military and civilian agencies to “submit proposals” for preparing nuclear tests.
“Russia has always strictly fulfilled its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and will continue to do so.
If the United States or other CTBT parties conduct nuclear tests, we will respond accordingly,” the Russian dictator said.

Belgian intelligence suspects Russian involvement in recent drone incidents, local media report.
At a preparatory meeting of the National Security Council, officials discussed coordinated night flights over sensitive sites, including the Klein-Brogel base, where US nuclear weapons are stored.
Intelligence agencies believe the operations exceed civilian capabilities. The National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, will meet officially on Thursday.
The incidents come amid rising tensions over Brussels’ discussions on using frozen Russian assets in Euroclear to support Ukraine.

Mercenaries from South Africa are fighting in Ukraine, prompting an official investigation, Reuters reports.
The probe began after 17 South African citizens “trapped in Donbas” sought help from their government. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration said it is working through diplomatic channels to bring them home.
Authorities believe the men were lured into the war with promises of lucrative contracts. South African law prohibits citizens from providing military assistance or taking part in foreign conflicts without government approval.
Officials did not specify which side the group fought for, but since 2022, local media have reported on South Africans being recruited to fight for Russia. In September, Business Insider Africa revealed that Kenya had launched a similar investigation after discovering its citizens were also drawn into the war through deceptive job offers — a tactic Russia uses across several African countries.

Russians attacked the Zaporizhzhia-Kamianske railway station in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrzaliznytsia Chairman Oleksandr Pertsovskyi reported.
No one was injured. Train traffic to and from Dnipro is operating via a backup system, with delays expected.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/11/2025 14:00

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

BREAKING: 2,595 miners trapped underground after Russian missile strike cuts power in Dnipropetrovsk region
Emergency crews are working urgently to restore power and rescue those trapped.

Trump hosts a landmark C5+1 Summit at the White House, bringing together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The meeting marks a rare US diplomatic push into Central Asia, a region long influenced by Russia and China.

The US is test-launching its Minuteman III missile (www.kyivpost.com/post/63740) amid a renewed push for nuclear testing.
Capable of striking across continents with pinpoint precision, the Cold War-era ICBM continues to undergo modernization.

Poland announces its largest-ever military training for civilians, citing the most dangerous era since WWII.
According to BILD, Poland’s Defence Ministry is urging nationwide readiness amid rising regional threats.

Moscow accuses NATO of rehearsing a blockade of Kaliningrad (www.kyivpost.com/post/63695) and vows to defend the exclave “by all available means.”

As Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine drags toward another brutal winter, a new tension is coming into focus for Kyiv’s backers in Washington: Ukraine’s defense industry is finally firing on all cylinders (www.kyivpost.com/post/63736) – but the money to sustain it is running short.

As the US enters the longest government shutdown in history, aid and support for Kyiv risk becoming collateral damage (www.kyivpost.com/post/63717) in the political standoff – though the effects are neither direct nor immediate.

Ukrainian drones struck deep into Russia overnight, setting two more major Russian power plants ablaze (www.kyivpost.com/post/63735) in a large-scale assault.

As Moscow’s air defense falters, panic spreads in the Kremlin. Jason Smart and Sergej Sumlenny report on what they saw on the Pokrovsk front on how drones are reshaping the war - causing Putin’s grip to slip.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/11/2025 14:03

Live : Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Senior German officials have accused the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) of deliberately abusing its parliamentary powers to collect and likely pass on classified information to Russia about the country’s military capabilities and the state of its critical infrastructure, Spiegel reports.
According to the outlet, AfD lawmakers have systematically submitted numerous parliamentary inquiries to the German government, seeking details on military transport operations, counter-drone measures, cybersecurity, and vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure. Officials and security sources fear that this information may have been gathered for transmission to Russia.

🇲🇩 Moldova is shutting down the “Russian House” cultural center.
The country’s Minister of Culture stated that “the Russian cultural center was not cultural at all — it was a front for activities aimed at undermining Moldova’s sovereignty.”
The center is funded by Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian government agency widely regarded as one of the Kremlin’s main instruments of soft power.
The “Russian House” opened in 2009 under a 1998 bilateral agreement establishing cultural centers in both countries. However, Moldova does not currently have a cultural center operating in Russia. On November 5, the Moldovan Cabinet approved a draft decision to terminate the agreement.

🇪🇺 The EU is preparing new visa restrictions for Russian citizens, Politico reports, citing sources.
Under the new rules, Russians will only be able to obtain single-entry visas, except in humanitarian cases or if the applicant holds dual EU citizenship.
The new restrictions could be adopted as early as this week. As part of the 19th sanctions package, the EU also plans to limit the movement of Russian diplomats and require them to notify authorities in advance about their travel within the Schengen area.
Next month, the European Commission will present a new common visa strategy introducing stricter criteria for citizens of Russia and other “hostile countries.”

Ukrainian drones attacked the Kostroma GRES — one of the largest thermal power plants in Russia.
The Volgograd region was also hit, with reports of a strike on the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka oil refinery.

🇩🇪 In Germany, an airport was forced to suspend operations due to a drone — for the third time in a week.
The airport in Hanover was closed for 45 minutes after the crew of one aircraft spotted a UAV and reported it to air traffic controllers.
The drone was flying over an industrial area near the airport, forcing three planes to be diverted to other airports.
▪️In October and November, airports in Bremen, Munich, and Berlin also had to halt operations because of unidentified drones.

🇪🇪 Estonia has detained pro-Kremlin propagandist Besedin.
According to the Estonian Prosecutor’s Office, since at least 2022 he has been creating conditions for Russia’s interference in Estonia’s internal affairs and disseminating content from sanctioned Russian media outlets.
His Russian-language Facebook group has been suspended, and his YouTube channel has been blocked.

Russia carried out a massive drone attack on Kamianske in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Eight people were injured as a result of the strike. Several fires broke out in the city, and the roof and floors of a four-story residential building were partially destroyed.
The attack also damaged infrastructure, a transport company, and several cars.
In total, 13 drones were shot down over the region.

blueshoes · 07/11/2025 01:31

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-5-2025/

Key Takeaways

  1. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to try to blame US President Donald Trump for the nuclear arms modernization and buildup program that Russia began years ago.
  2. Russia’s grinding advances in the Pokrovsk direction continue to absorb significant Russian losses.
  3. North Korea is reportedly deploying additional troops to support roles in the Russian rear.
  4. The Kremlin continues to set conditions to deploy active reservists to combat in Ukraine.
  5. Russian forces continue to commit war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
  6. Authorities reported unidentified drone incursions near the Brussels and Liege airports in Belgium on the evening of November 4.
  7. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast, in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area, and near Vovchansk, Pokrovsk, and Velykomykhailivka. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Dobropillya tactical area.
Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
blueshoes · 07/11/2025 13:52

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-6-2025/

Key Takeaways

  1. The Russian military command is reportedly augmenting its troop presence in the Pokrovsk direction, likely to consolidate the gains Russian forces initially secured through infiltration missions and advance further through the town.
  2. Russian forces are intensifying their battlefield air interdiction (BAI) campaign against Ukrainian railway infrastructure, seeking to disrupt Ukrainian rear logistics hubs to erode frontline forces and eventually facilitate frontline gains.
  3. NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte noted on November 5 how the term “hybrid warfare” inaccurately describes Russia’s intensified attacks and malign actions against NATO — in line with ISW’s ongoing assessment.
  4. Authorities reported an unidentified drone incursion near the Hannover airport in Germany on the evening of November 5.
  5. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to emphasize the multiethnic and multireligious nature of the Russian Federation and reject efforts by Russian ultranationalists to frame Russia as an exclusively Orthodox Christian and ethnically Russian nation.
  6. The Kremlin continues to spread narratives about alleged Western provocations to create the appearance of external and internal enemies who aim to undermine the Russian state.
  7. Russia continues to develop its modernization and refurbishment programs of older, lower quality tanks, likely for the battlefield in Ukraine where Russia’s tank use is limited.
  8. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast, in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area, and near Siversk and Pokrovsk.
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 07/11/2025 14:01

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Bulgaria moves to seize, sell (kyivindependent.com/bulgaria-moves-to-seize-sell-russian-energy-giants-refinery/) Russian energy giant's refinery amid sanctions pressure.
The move aims to protect Bulgaria's only refinery — and a major supplier — from the impact of U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia's largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

⚡️Kremlin folds (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-folds-occupied-parts-of-ukraine-into-russias-southern-military-district-amid-renewed-mobilization-push/) occupied parts of Ukraine into Russia's Southern Military District amid renewed mobilization push.
The Kremlin has officially incorporated the occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions into Russia’s Southern Military District, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported on Nov. 6.

⚡️ Sweden has helped fund 400 drones (kyivindependent.com/sweden-is-helping-fund-ukraines-drone-strikes-on-russian-oil-refineries/) for Ukraine's strike campaign on Russian oil refineries.
Denys Shmyhal's announcement comes as Ukraine aims to strike deeper into Russian territory in an attempt to grind down its war machine from a distance.

⚡️Gunvor withdraws (kyivindependent.com/gunvor-withdraws-offer-for-russias-lukoil-assets-after-us-calls-it-kremlins-puppet/) bid for Russia's Lukoil assets after US calls it 'Kremlin's puppet.'
Gunvor, which is registered in Cyprus and headquartered in Switzerland, was founded in 1997 by Gennady Timchenko, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Swedish billionaire Torbjörn Törnqvist.

⚡️ Ukraine sentences Russian soldier to life in prison (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sentences-russian-soldier-to-life-in-prison-for-executing-captured-ukrainian-serviceman-sbu-reports/) for executing captured Ukrainian serviceman.
This is the first life sentence in Ukraine’s history handed down to a Russian serviceman for executing a prisoner of war, the SBU said.

⚡️Ukraine submits (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-submits-draft-education-language-law-to-hungary-awaits-response/) draft education language law to Hungary, awaits response.
Ukraine has submitted a draft education law to Hungary that partly addresses Budapest’s demands related to language policy in schools, Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka said on Nov. 6.

⚡️Zelensky ally Mindich expands (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ally-mindich-expands-his-clout-in-government-business-investigation-shows/) his clout in government, business, investigative journalists claim.
President Volodymyr Zelensky's former business partner Timur Mindich has dramatically increased his clout in recent years, according to an investigation by the media outlet Ukrainska Pravda.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is also investigating Mindich on suspicion of aiding the aggressor state, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Nov. 6, posting an official response from the SBU.

⚡️At least 24 relatives (kyivindependent.com/putin-sets-record-for-nepotism-since-romanov-dynasty-investigative-journalists-say/) of Putin get state-linked jobs, investigative journalists say.
At least 24 relatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin have received jobs linked to the government, Proyekt, an independent Russian investigative journalism project, reported on Nov. 6.
This is a record for nepotism since the country was ruled by the Romanov imperial dynasty a century ago, according to Proyekt, also known as Agentsvo.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 4h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — NOV 7, 2025
■ Big casualties two days in a row, engagements slightly below the 7-day average ■ Drone losses up but still below average; other equipment losses also below it
■ Overnight attacks: triple-digit, all drones; interception rate below average
■ Four 🇺🇦 strikes, 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes remain above average

Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 07/11/2025 14:14

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Uralvagonzavod, Russia’s main tank manufacturer, has announced large-scale layoffs.
A document dated October 7 states that about 10% of the workforce will be cut by February 2026.
However, employees fear the real number could be much higher. “In most units, reductions reach up to 50% of staff. As a result, skilled and experienced specialists are losing their jobs,” they said. [ok, what on earth -?! are things so bad in the economy, or is there some other reason? Defense is Russia's absolute top priority. Is there a swing away from relying on tanks?]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may have fallen out of favor with the Kremlin after a failed call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that disrupted a meeting between Putin and Trump, The Moscow Times reports.
Lavrov, who has served as foreign minister for over 20 years, was the only permanent member of the Security Council absent from a key meeting Putin held on November 5.
He has also lost his position as head of Russia’s delegation to the G20 summit in November. This year, the delegation will be led by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin.

The Azerbaijani army is adopting NATO standards, President Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with a NATO delegation in Baku.
He noted that Baku closely cooperates with the Turkish army and other alliance members. “We have achieved our main goal since gaining independence at the beginning of the last century — the liberation of our lands from occupation,” Aliyev said.
Representatives from 15 countries attended the meeting, including Türkiye, the United States, France, Germany, and other NATO members.

New Speaker of the Czech Parliament Tomio Okamura ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the building on his first day in office.
[...] Okamura, a Czech politician of Japanese origin, holds pro-Russian views despite previously expressing anti-Russian positions. Before the elections, he said his party’s condition for joining a coalition would be to review residence permits for all Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. He also claimed Ukrainians are taking jobs from Czechs and preventing them from buying gas from Russia.

Czech lawmakers reacted to new Speaker Tomio Okamura’s decision to remove the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building by raising three Ukrainian flags instead of one.

Sweden is exploring several options to finance 150 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine, including the use of frozen Russian assets, Defense Minister Poul Jonsson told Reuters.

20 Years of RT: How Russia’s Propaganda Hydra Survived the Ban (united24media.com/anti-fake/20-years-of-rt-how-russias-propaganda-hydra-survived-the-ban-13121)
Despite bans across Europe, the US, and Canada, Russia’s state-funded network RT is far from gone. The Kremlin’s favorite media weapon has morphed into a hybrid propaganda machine—streaming through smaller platforms, partner outlets, and social media ecosystems that still reach millions. Data reviewed by UNITED24 Media shows how RT adapted its playbook after 2022, turning sanctions into an opportunity to rebrand and retarget new audiences.

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Russian entities involved in Arctic resource extraction, President Zelenskyy announced.
According to Zelenskyy, the new restrictions could cut Russian revenues by tens of billions of euros annually.
Ukraine’s new sanctions target Russian entities operating in the Arctic, and partners are expected to follow suit. Zelenskyy also instructed the National Security and Defense Council to prepare new measures against Russian propaganda networks, military producers, and collaborators.
“There will be our sanctions response to Russia’s sanctions against the Prime Minister of Ukraine and other government officials,” he added.

Starting January 1, 2026, World Aquatics will allow Russian and Belarusian water polo players to compete under neutral status. This marks the first time since March 2022 that athletes from countries that invaded Ukraine and commit hybrid aggression against Europe have been permitted to participate in a team sport at the international level. This decision follows earlier steps to admit individual swimmers, divers, and artistic swimmers under similar conditions. World Aquatics ignores the fact that many Russian athletes are avid Putin supporters.

Occupiers again attacked energy infrastructure in the Odesa region, the regional military administration reported.
Warehouses and an administrative building were also damaged. No casualties were reported.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 07/11/2025 14:19

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia introduces a 24-hour “cooling-off period” for SIM cards after citizens return from abroad (www.kyivpost.com/post/63833) – a new measure authorities say will help stop drones from using Russian mobile networks.

At least 1,436 African nationals from 36 countries are fighting in Ukraine as part of Russia’s invasion force, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Sybiha revealed.
These are only the confirmed cases — the real number may be significantly higher.

Ukraine has been elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for 2025–2029, securing the highest number of votes, President Zelensky announced. Alongside Romania and Moldova, Ukraine outranked Russia, which for the second time in a row failed to win a seat on the board.

“But the danger posed by Russia will not end when this war does. (www.kyivpost.com/post/63774) For the foreseeable future, Russia will remain a destabilizing force in Europe and the world,“ NATO Secretary General Rutte said.

Russia launched another brutal overnight assault on Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Sumy (www.kyivpost.com/post/63814) — using drones and bombs to hammer residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile, (www.kyivpost.com/post/63815) Seoul’s military said, around a week after US President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

Ukrainian forces launched a wave of drone attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, (www.kyivpost.com/post/63821) hitting multiple oil depots and fuel storage facilities.
Explosions lit up the sky as key logistics hubs went up in flames.

As Russian forces grind into Pokrovsk at immense cost, ex–Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer dissects the brutal battle’s toll, Ukraine’s hard choices, and why Russia’s gains may be pyrrhic.

Inside energy-rich Russia, frustrations over damaged oil refineries and pipelines are mounting (www.kyivpost.com/post/63832) — yet Kremlin officials and state-run media remain silent on the real cause: Ukrainian drone strikes.

Ukraine’s Security Service continues systematic strikes against Russian forces in Pokrovsk and surrounding areas, Kyiv Post sources reported.
Over the past year of defending this direction, our troops have eliminated 9,500 enemy personnel and destroyed or damaged:
▪️ 255 tanks
▪️ 433 armored vehicles (AFVs)
▪️ 343 artillery systems and MLRS
▪️ 78 air defense systems
▪️ 12 electronic warfare/intelligence systems
▪️ 4,553 transport vehicles
▪️ 3,824 enemy positions and fortifications
▪️ 65 ammunition and fuel depots

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/9Us7uWAgkiE?si=4c7MwPUfiDOjfzbt

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 07/11/2025 14:22

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇨🇳Trade between China and Russia fell (www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/zfxxgk/2799825/302274/302275/9f806879-1.html) by nearly 9% in 2025.
Over the first ten months of the year, their bilateral trade decreased by 8.7% to $184.7 billion. Russian exports to China, which mainly consist of energy resources, also declined by 5.9% and amounted to $101.2 billion.
At the same time, China’s total global trade increased by 3.6% during this period, reaching $5.3 trillion, with the European Union emerging as its largest trading partner.

🇨🇿 The pro-Ukrainian government of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has resigned.
Under the Czech Constitution, President Petr Pavel will accept the government’s resignation, while current ministers will continue to serve in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is appointed.
ANO party leader Andrej Babiš is already in talks to form a coalition government with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the right-wing populist group “Drivers for Themselves.”
The ANO, SPD, and “Drivers for Themselves” parties are openly pro-Russian and firmly oppose any assistance to Ukraine.

Orban will try to persuade Trump to meet with Putin during his U.S. visit, The Guardian reports, citing sources.
According to the outlet’s interlocutors, the Hungarian prime minister’s top priority in Washington is to invite Donald Trump to visit Hungary.
Orban’s advisers believe that a visit from Trump would bolster the Hungarian leader’s image as a statesman and energize his conservative base.

🇬🇪🇺🇦 Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has accused Ukraine of obstructing its bid to join the European Union.
According to Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili, in 2022–2023 Ukraine “in various ways acted against Georgia’s European integration.”
Earlier, the European Commission released a report criticizing Georgia for restricting freedom of speech and failing to uphold non-discrimination principles.
The country’s EU integration process has effectively stalled due to the actions of the ruling Georgian Dream party — particularly the adoption of the “foreign agents” law and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights.

Hungary’s sole oil refiner, Mol Nyrt., announced it is ready to replace most of its Russian oil supplies.
The company said it can meet up to 80 percent of Hungary’s oil demand through a pipeline from Croatia. However, it noted that this scenario would involve higher technical risks and logistical costs.
The statement signals a potential shift in Budapest’s energy policy ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mol has benefited from cheaper Russian crude, reporting higher refining margins and increased profits in the third quarter. Still, if U.S. sanctions tighten, the company may have to accelerate its move away from Russian energy.

Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs, damaging a kindergarten and several apartment buildings.
According to Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov, Russian forces targeted both the outskirts and the regional center itself, aiming at critical infrastructure. The blast shattered windows in a kindergarten and damaged four apartment buildings. Utility crews are already working to eliminate the aftermath of the strike.

PerkingFaintly · 07/11/2025 20:22

A staged video pretending to be Ukrainian troops threatening Erika Kirk seems to be yet another piece by Russian disinformation group Storm-1516.

Native Ukrainian speakers can hear the mispronunciations in the video, and even identify them as characteristic Russian-speaker errors.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6296l81eget

15:17
Debunking video claiming to show Ukrainian troops threatening Charlie Kirk’s widow

16:46
Analysing the language used in Russian disinformation video

BBC Verify Live: Russian trolls said to be behind video of 'Ukrainians' threatening Charlie Kirk's widow

Latest updates from the BBC's specialists in fact-checking, verifying video and tackling disinformation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6296l81eget

Golden407 · 08/11/2025 03:54

Mb76 · 05/11/2025 07:18

Hello @Golden407
that’s an interesting assessment

Maryanna Bezukhla (whose name you didn’t even spell correctly the Ukrainian way) is quite a controversial figure isn’t she? I’m sure Zelenskyy makes his decisions in a way that he sees fit, given the situation, and these decisions may not align with other politicians’ views, let alone the one who was expelled from her position as the deputy chair of the fParliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence.

A lot of this information on the frontline situation is super confidential, why would you be surprised that you can’t find it from any military commentators?

I see lots of red flags in your post Golden407 🤔

Apologies for the misspelling, I lifted it straight from an article, can’t remember which? I don’t speak Ukrainian or Russian.

There are plenty of videos, usually uploaded to telegram showing hundreds/thousands of Russian troops which have been geolocated to every area of Pokrovsk

As I understand it Pokrovsk has now effectively fallen, it’s 95% under Russian control. I accept this may possibly be misinformation? However given the multiple sources it seems unlikely.

if that is the case what is the way forward for Ukraine?

I’ve followed this thread for a long time. I haven’t contributed a great deal and I’m not coming onto to be negative but if this true and again I accept it may not be, what is the way forward because the current level of support isn’t working?

DuncinToffee · 08/11/2025 09:14

Doing Putin's bidding

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp85dvnkpv4o

Trump gives Hungary one-year exemption from Russian energy sanctions

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/11/2025 12:38

@Golden407 it seems to me that this is the situation. I'm untrained and only see the surface, but have been following this a long time.

No, the current level of support isn't working. It wasn't before Trump was elected but with Trump in charge, it's worse. It most certainly hasn't been a case of everything stopping immediately but now and then you get quiet comments such as 'this military aid is no longer arriving' (usuallly unspecified) and 'this has run out' (but nothing else is replacing it).

Essentially and sadly it's a matter that Russia is very slowly advancing and as things are at the moment, it is likely to continue to advance. They aren't interested in peace as they think, not inaccurately, that they have the upper hand.

The cost to them is immense; in men and in economic cost. There seems to be a strong thought that Putin does not realise how slowly Russia is advancing and at what cost, nor how badly the economy is doing. It could happen that in fact Russia economically cannot sustain the war. Ukraine is also struggling financially but has more support from the EU.

Both sides are struggling for men and basic equipment.

Sadly China seems to be supporting Russia - not so much with military stuff directly but financially and perhaps with some military tech. Certainly N Korea is supporting Russia heavily.

Against that you have the EU who is supporting Ukraine, although the Right Wing is slowly increasing (partly because Russia is waging a highly successful social media campaign). But even so, the EU is increasing its defensive production and is now outproducing Russia regarding ammunition. However, it's not providing enough to stop the Russian creep.

So really at the moment Russia is slowly winning, but it is very slow and at a high cost. It's succeeded in showing the fundamental weakness of the West but also shown that the feared Russian army is only supreme when bombing defenseless civilian convoys in Syria, which is not really the message it wanted to send.

However the economic situation may cause this slow creep to come to a halt.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/11/2025 12:44

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Orban meets (kyivindependent.com/orban-meets-trump-in-washington-to-discuss-russian-oil-war-against-ukraine/) Trump in Washington to discuss Russian oil, war against Ukraine.
The U.S. and Hungary are also planning to sign a "significant nuclear cooperation agreement," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

⚡️Update: 'Full sanctions exemption' (kyivindependent.com/orban-meets-trump-in-washington-to-discuss-russian-oil-war-against-ukraine/) — US allows Hungary to buy Russian energy following Orban–Trump talks in Washington.
The U.S. granted Hungary an exemption from sanctions imposed on Russian oil and gas use following a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Nov. 7.
Reuters reported that the exemption was granted for one year.

AI soldiers: How deepfakes are manipulating (kyivindependent.com/ai-soldiers-how-deepfakes-are-manipulating-ukraines-mobilization-narrative/) Ukraine’s mobilization narrative
Tears, panic, and young Ukrainian soldiers pleading for help — a new disinformation campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate videos of Ukraine's mobilization efforts is flooding social media platforms.
Fake profiles on TikTok, X, and other platforms are spreading AI-generated videos subtitled in multiple languages. The clips, viewed millions of times, depict alleged "forced mobilization" of 22- and 23-year-old Ukrainian men supposedly being sent to the front.

⚡️Update: Kyiv faces (kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-sparks-fires-in-kyiv-russia-launches-massive-attack-on-ukrainian-energy-infrastructure/) hours of emergency power cuts following new Russian mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ukraine war latest (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-update-2025-11-07/) : Special Forces drones hit oil depots, trains, logistic facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said that its long-range drones struck an oil depot and logistic facilities in the Russian-occupied of Crimea; President Volodymyr Zelensky announced mass production of one of the most popular drones of the war, the DJI Mavic; and more.

⚡️Drone attack (kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-sparks-fires-in-kyiv-russia-launches-massive-attack-on-ukrainian-energy-infrastructure/) sparks fires in Kyiv, Russia launches 'massive' attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Russia launched yet another wide-ranging attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8, using a combination of drones and missiles to strike targets across the country.

Zelensky blames (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-blames-former-head-of-ukrenergo-for-failing-to-protect-energy-infrastructure/) ex-energy chief for grid’s failure to withstand Russian assaults amid talk of scapegoating
President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed the ex-head of Ukraine's state-owned grid operator for failing to protect energy infrastructure from Russian attacks, the latest in what is widely seen as a political attack on the former official.

⚡️ Kremlin denies Lavrov fell out of favor with Putin (https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-denies-lavrov-fell-out-of-favor-with-putin/) after canceled Trump summit.

This investment fund is betting on Ukraine's struggling farm sector
(kyivindependent.com/ukraines-hard-hit-agriculture-sector-gets-a-boost-from-a-new-investment-fund/)
Ukraine-based Diligent Capital Partners and Dutch firm 2ndAries recently launched a 150-million-euro fund backed by the EU's Ukraine Investment Framework, offering both debt and equity to agrifood companies.

⚡️Сommander charged (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-commander-charged-with-negligence-after-russia-hits-military-award-ceremony-in-eastern-ukraine/) with negligence after Russia hits military award ceremony in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian strike in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed 12 servicemen and seven civilians, while 36 others were injured, according to the Prosecutor General's Office.

⚡️Update: Russian attack on residential building in Dnipro kills (kyivindependent.com/russia-strikes-residential-building-in-dnipro-injuring-at-least-7/) 1, injures 10.

⚡️Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-at-least-10-injure-44-in-ukraine-over-past-day/) kill at least 11, injure 44 in Ukraine over past day.
Ukrainian forces downed 406 out of the 458 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Russia also launched 45 cruise and ballistic missiles, nine of which were downed, the statement said.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/11/2025 13:30

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

A ceasefire has been established near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to allow repair work.
Starting Saturday, technicians will connect Ferosplavna-1 to the plant, restoring two power lines, including one that was repaired in October.

❗️A key feature of Russia’s latest massive attack is the large number of ballistic missiles. The enemy aims to strike more targets, said Yurii Ignat.
According to the head of the Air Force Command’s communications department, the ratio of ballistic to cruise missiles used by Russia has increased this year.

The head of the Estonian Defence Forces’ intelligence centre, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, expects Russia to continue its winter bombing campaign in the coming weeks, mainly targeting civilian infrastructure.
He said Russia is trying to compensate for its lack of battlefield success with large-scale strikes across Ukraine. In addition to missile and drone attacks, drones are now hitting areas near the front line, with numerous recent cases of targeted strikes on civilians around Kherson.

Breaking: (united24media.com/latest-news/breaking-zelenskyy-counts-record-25000-russian-losses-in-october-pokrovsk-turns-into-a-mass-graveyard-13213) In October, around 25,000 Russian soldiers were confirmed killed on video, with an additional 2,000–3,000 estimated casualties not captured on camera—the highest monthly toll since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with press on November 7.

Ukraine has found an alternative to the Mavic UAV and plans to begin mass production, President Zelenskyy announced.
“We were looking for alternatives — and we found them. Now contracts and financing are being prepared,” he said. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of using drones for evacuation operations, stressing that saving lives is the top priority.
Last December, First Vice Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported that Ukraine had developed three Mavic analogues meeting NATO standards, equipped with electronic warfare protection and automatic landing.

❗️Kremenchuk in the Poltava region is without electricity, water, and heating following overnight shelling, the regional administration reports.
According to the head of the Poltava regional military administration, Volodymyr Kohut, the enemy targeted energy infrastructure facilities.

Pokrovske, a village in the Synelnykovo district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, lies just ten kilometers from the front line.
A month ago, life still lingered here — now, almost no one remains in the frontline settlement.

A factory for producing Swedish Gripen fighter jets will open in Ukraine around 2033, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced. [...]
According to Shmyhal, Ukraine is pushing for the earlier delivery of Gripen C and D class aircraft, expected as soon as 2026.

Rheinmetall will begin producing satellites for military intelligence, Bild reports.
The German defense concern announced a joint venture with the Finnish company Iceye, which specializes in satellite technology. The new project, called Rheinmetall Iceye Space Solutions, will be based in the German city of Neuss (North Rhine-Westphalia) at the site of one of Rheinmetall’s former car factories.
The first satellite is scheduled for launch in 2026. Rheinmetall will hold a controlling 60% stake, taking charge of large-scale production and sales, while Iceye will provide technology and expertise — its satellites are already used, among others, in Ukraine.
The project focuses on radar surveillance satellites capable of capturing clear images of the Earth’s surface even through clouds and at night — a technology highly valued for military intelligence and conflict monitoring.

This marks Rheinmetall’s second major deal in recent months: in September, the company acquired the military division of the shipbuilder Lürssen for over one billion euros.

Norway is raising the alarm over a sharp rise in Russian captains and sailors serving on Norwegian ships, NRK reports. The Norwegian Seamen’s Union fears they could side with Putin in the event of war.
About 200 Russian captains now serve in the Norwegian fleet — twice as many as in 2020. The total number of Russian sailors has also grown from 925 to around 1,500 by 2025.
Professor Sigmund Simonsen from the University of Western Norway noted that Norway’s civilian merchant fleet is crucial for NATO, which relies on it to transport troops and cargo across the Atlantic. He warned that in peacetime, such ships could also be used for blocking routes, sabotage, or drone launches.
In response, the Norwegian government plans to limit Russian citizens’ ability to operate merchant ships without a pilot in national waters.

Kenyan President William Ruto has asked President Zelenskyy to help release Kenyan citizens illegally recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine.
He added that Zelenskyy agreed to assist in securing their release during a phone call. Zelenskyy confirmed that both sides discussed Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals and agreed to strengthen cooperation to stop such practices.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 59
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/11/2025 13:36

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia strikes key railway depot in Poltava region, threatening transport links between Kyiv and eastern Ukraine.
The overnight attack hit one of the country’s critical transit hubs. Damage to trains and locomotives may force a reduction in routes.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/11/2025 13:38

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺🇧🇪The European Commission failed to convince Belgium to agree to the proposed “reparation loan” for Ukraine, Euronews reports.
A technical meeting between representatives of the European Commission and the Belgian government took place on November 7.
According to sources, the Belgian government is increasingly concerned about the lack of alternative proposals from the European Commission on how to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Brussels is demanding legal guarantees that Belgium will not be held liable for potential negative consequences, while also fearing possible Russian retaliation.

🇵🇱🇺🇦🇺🇸Ukraine will receive 300 million cubic meters of liquefied gas from the United States.
The agreement was signed by representatives of Naftogaz and the Polish company ORLEN.
According to Deputy Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, the memorandum envisions not only short-term supplies but also long-term cooperation to diversify supply routes.

Russia launched a massive overnight drone attack on Ukraine. Here’s what is known so far:
🔴Dnipro: A drone hit a nine-story residential building, killing one person and injuring eleven.
🔴Odesa region: Drones targeted the region, causing a fire at an energy infrastructure facility.
🔴Kyiv: Two fires broke out in the Pechersk district as a result of the attack. Trucks, buildings, and cars caught fire.
🔴Kharkiv region: Russian air-dropped bombs hit the settlement of Korotych, injuring eight people. A gas station was destroyed, and several vehicles were damaged.

Ukraine’s air defense shot down 406 of 458 drones and 9 of 45 missiles launched by Russia overnight.
The missiles used in the attack included:
🔴25 Iskander-M / KN-23 ballistic missiles
🔴10 Iskander-K cruise missiles
🔴7 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles
🔴3 Kalibr cruise missiles
The main directions of the attack were the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava regions. There were 26 missile and 52 drone impacts across 25 locations, as well as debris falling in four other areas.

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