Russo-Ukrainian war, day 631: Evidence by human rights defenders shows Russia planned to starve Ukrainian population before 2022 invasion

Exclusive

Analyst: Russia demothballs 7.5x more artillery than West sends Ukraine. Ukraine is grateful for every piece of equipment, but for any kind of breakthrough, more weapons are needed, says Volodymyr Dacenko

VSquare: Russian spies still call Brussels home. Kirill Logvinov, Russia’s top diplomat to the EU, has continued wining and dining Brussels diplomats despite being identified as a Russian intelligence officer. Logvinov regularly hosts lavish dinners where he spreads anti-Ukrainian propaganda, even as Brussels looks the other way.

Ukraine deploys new electronic warfare systems to counter Russian airstrike tactics. As Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief noted the war “is gradually turning into a positional form,” Ukraine seeks to expand EW capabilities, deploying a Pokrova nationwide EW system alongside other localized means.

Military

Zelenskyy says Russia’s Black Sea fleet forced to retreat. On 16 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia’s naval fleet was forced to retreat from the eastern part of the Black Sea following attacks on its headquarters and port infrastructure by the Ukrainian Army.

British intel: Russia to risk significant casualties if it tries to take Ukraine chemical plant north of Avdiivka. However, the UK intel said that if Russia were able to secure the plant, “resupplying the town would become increasingly difficult for Ukraine.”

Frontline report: Ukrainians repelled Russian attack south of Krynky, Kherson Oblast. After losing ground recently, Russian forces deployed new combat units and launched infantry and armor attacks to retake lost positions south of Krynky. However, Ukrainian forces repelled the Russians and held their positions.

ISW: Russia’s eastern offensive sees little progress amid Ukraine’s advances in south. Russia’s offensive operations across eastern Ukraine resulted in little confirmed progress on 15 Nov., even as Ukraine consolidated gains from its Kherson counterattack.

Intelligence and technology

Over 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers and instructors have accomplished NATO‘s DEEP program. More than 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers and instructors have undergone training and professional development courses within NATO‘s “Defence Education Enhancement Programme” (DEEP), First Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Pavliuk informed.

Czech volunteers fundraise to send black hawk helicopter to Ukraine. In its previous initiative, the Czech volunteer group called Gift for Putin has raised over $2 mn.

About 10 Russian attack drones targeted Ukraine in early morning raids. Reportedly, Ukraine’s air defenses shot down all 10 Russian UAVs.

Fire erupts at Russian military site in Volgograd Oblast. A fire broke out overnight at a Russian defense ministry facility near the town of Kotluban in the Volgograd Oblast.

International

Sky News: Kremlin says it “deeply regrets” Finland’s decision to close border crossings with Russia . Finland is going to close four of nine crossing points on its border with Russia to stop the flow of migrants, as per Sky News.

Russia is using food as a weapon of war, says UK ambassador at OSCE meeting. Head of the UK’s Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Neil Holland has claimed Russia is attacking Ukrainian ports and critical infrastructure to undermine Ukraine’s economy and deprive civilians of electricity, heat, and water.

Pope Francis donates over USD 100,000 to help Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania. Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen has met with Pope Francis to discuss cooperation between Vatican City and Vilnius and assistance for Ukrainian refugees.

Russia excluded from UNESCO Executive Board, says Zelenskyy. Russia was expelled from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Denmark likely to block Russian tankers under new EU regulations. Denmark could start inspecting Russian oil tankers passing through its waters to ensure Russian oil shipments are below $60 per barrel and not carrying falsified paperwork or non-Western insurance.

Humanitarian and social impact

The Independent: Russia planned to starve Ukrainian population before the 2022 invasion, evidence finds. Russian President Vladimir Putin could face a new war crime case as evidence suggests starvation of Ukraine was pre-planned, The Independent has reported.

Finland to shut down half of border crossing with Russia. Finish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said this restriction aims to limit crossings by people with “incomplete travel documents.”

Political and legal developments

VSquare: Russian spies still call Brussels home. Kirill Logvinov, Russia’s top diplomat to the EU, has continued wining and dining with Brussels diplomats despite being identified as a Russian intelligence officer. Logvinov regularly hosts lavish dinners where he spreads anti-Ukrainian propaganda, even as Brussels looks the other way.

Read our earlier daily review here.

As of 16 Nov 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: 315620 (+1330)
  • Tanks: 5388 (+11)
  • APV: 10121 (+17)
  • Artillery systems: 7683 (+36)
  • MLRS: 892 (+8)
  • Anti-aircraft systems: 585 (+3)
  • Aircraft: 323
  • Helicopters: 324
  • UAV: 5689 (+14)
  • Cruise missiles : 1563 (+1)
  • Warships/boats: 22
  • Submarines: 1
  • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 10060 (+040)

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