Russo-Ukrainian war, day 607: Ukraine repels Russian attacks along frontline as Russia bolsters forces near Avdiivka

Exclusives

Here is a map of all Ukraine’s 2023 drone strikes on Russian targets. The skies above Russia have become a battleground as Ukraine’s drone warfare takes center stage.

Military

General Staff: Ukrainian forces repel Russian attacks across seven frontline sections. Within 24 hours, a total of 38 skirmishes between Ukrainian defenders and invading Russian troops took place along the frontline.

Frontline report: Ukraine lost positions on Terrikon, a mount south of Avdiivka. However, this is an unfavorable development for Ukrainians. They conducted a counterattack from the south towards Pisky. So far, Ukrainian forces managed to advance toward the fortification under the bridge.

Russia attacked Ukraine with 14 drones and one guided missile, one injured. The attacks also damaged one of DTEK’s (Donbas Fuel and Energy Company) thermal power plants, and port infrastructure

Russia now adds guided air bombs to deadly missile & drone attack mix. In the first such registered case of a “new level of complexity aimed at overwhelming air defense,” Russia launched air bombs simultaneously with its usual mix

As of 23 Oct 2023, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 294700 (+870)
    • Tanks: 5093 (+12)
    • APV: 9653 (+22)
    • Artillery systems: 7057 (+25)
    • MLRS: 825
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 551 (+2)
    • Aircraft: 320
    • Helicopters: 324
    • UAV: 5345 (+6)
    • Cruise missiles : 1536 (+1)
    • Warships/boats: 20
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 9419 (+15)

Intelligence and Technology

British intel: Russia plans to increase military spending by 68% in 2024. Russia’s government is diverting more resources to the military while reducing funding for healthcare and education, and increasing financial pressures on Russian businesses.

Finland provides rescue vehicles in support for Ukraine. “Assistance for rescue services makes up about 20 per cent of all the assistance Finland has sent Ukraine through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism,” Finland’s Interior Minister said.

International

Japan to support Ukraine’s energy system with transformers, solar panels. Vice President of the Japan’s International Cooperation Agency, Ando Naoki, assured Ukraine of Japan’s ongoing support for its energy sector, and announced an upcoming batch of aid set to arrive in the next few months.

Media: Hungary blocks 500 million euro EU military aid package for Ukraine. Hungary continues to block a military aid tranche from the European Peace Facility to Ukraine, despite Ukraine’s recent removal of the Hungarian OTP Bank from its list of war sponsors.

Shmyhal: Ukraine receives EUR 1.5 billion in ninth tranche of EU aid. The aid brings the EU’s total budget support for Ukraine in 2023 to €15 billion so far.

Poll: Support for Ukraine worldwide at “impressive” 70%. Support was highest in Portugal, at 86%. Out of the 30 countries polled, Mexico had lowest support, at 46%

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Mandatory evacuation for children announced in 23 settlements of Kherson Oblast. The evacuation of 802 children will be carried out from settlements in the Beryslav, Kakhovka, and Kherson districts.

Two killed, three injured in Russian air attacks on Kherson Oblast. The Russian army fired four aerial bombs and dropped explosives from a drone on the Beryslav district of Kherson Oblast.

Ukraine recorded over 265 Russian environmental crimes, including 14 cases of ecocide. Each day of Russia’s war inflicts an estimated $127 million in environmental damages on Ukraine

Political and Legal Developments

Controversial German leftist Wagenknecht announces new party, slamming the government as the “worst ever”. Sahra Wagenknecht gained increased public prominence in 2022 as leader of a “peace campaign” demanding the West stop providing arms to Ukraine, and opposed sanctions against Russia

Kuleba supports dual citizenship for Ukrainians. Ukraine’s foreign minister proposed allowing multiple citizenships to unite Ukrainians globally, but said Russian and other “unfriendly countries” passports should be prohibited.

New Developments

Spanish police found over $63 mn worth of stolen Ukrainian artefacts. Spanish and Ukrainian police arrested three Spaniards and two Ukrainians plotting to sell purloined 11 pieces of Scythian gold in Madrid

DFC approves over $380 mn to bolster Ukraine’s economy, healthcare, and trade. In particular, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will allocate $250 million to support Ukrainian poultry producers and grain growers in mitigating the effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine

Read our earlier daily review here

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