Russo-Ukrainian war, day 632: Ukraine forces secured several bridgeheads in Kherson Oblast

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

Military

Ukrainian Navy: 15 Russian warships destroyed, 12 damaged. Russian capabilities in the Black Sea have recently been significantly reduced due to Ukrainian forces’ military operations, Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said.

Frontline report: Russians endure heavy losses assaulting Avdiivka chemical plant, face intensified drug abuse issues. Russian attacks on Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant met with strong Ukrainian defense saw high Russian casualties, and exposed disciplinary problems due to drug use in the Russian military.

Marines: Ukraine forces secured several bridgeheads in Kherson Oblast. Ukrainian Marines officially report successful operations against Russian forces, securing bridgeheads on the Dnipro River’s left bank in the Kherson sector, with significant enemy casualties and equipment losses.

As of 17 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: 316760 (+1140)
    • Tanks: 5415 (+27)
    • APV: 10132 (+11)
    • Artillery systems: 7712 (+29)
    • MLRS: 895 (+3)
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 585
    • Aircraft: 323
    • Helicopters: 324
    • UAV: 5709 (+20)
    • Cruise missiles : 1563
    • Warships/boats: 22
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 10077 (+17)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine ramps up long-range drone production to dozens per month. Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, announced that Ukraine is now producing dozens of long-range drones monthly, comparable to Iran’s Shahed-136 model.

UK intel: Russia integrates radar plane with S2A missile system eyeing Ukraine’s future Western jets. Russia likely speeds up integration of an airborne radar with a surface-to-air missile system, bracing for Western combat aircraft in Ukraine, and considers riskier frontline flights.

International

Ukraine, Germany begin talks on bilateral security guarantees. “Germany is our reliable partner and one of the leaders in financial, military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine,” Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said.

France allocates €12 million to support Ukraine’s healthcare system. The funds will be used to finance mental health projects, enhance cancer diagnostics, rebuild medical facilities in Chernihiv Oblast, and establish a special fund for procuring equipment to address immediate needs.

Finland approves 20th military aid package to Ukraine. This 20th package from Finland since Russia’s full-scale invasion brings the total value of Finnish military aid to around 1.5 billion euros.

Netherlands to provide extra €2 bn in military aid for Ukraine in 2024. Dutch defense minister Kajsa Ollongren announces €2 billion in military aid for Ukraine in 2024, signaling continued support amid the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Zelenskyy, Cameron discuss military assistance, grain corridors in Kyiv. On 16 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and David Cameron, the newly appointed UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs met in Kyiv to discuss an alternative “grain corridor,” the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Humanitarian and social impact

Six civilians dead in Kherson Oblast after another day of Russian shelling. Russian forces’ deliberate shelling over one day in Kherson kills six civilians, including artillery, drones, and tank fire targeting residential and commercial areas, as well as medical facilities, local authorities say.

Research: Thousands of Ukrainian children abducted to Belarus. Yale University’s study exposes the forced relocation of over 2,400 Ukrainian children to Belarusian facilities amidst Russia’s invasion, detailing extensive systematic operations.

Ministry data: 4,337 Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity. Ukraine’s official data lists 3,574 Ukrainian military personnel and 763 civilians among those currently held in Russian captivity.

Political and legal developments

Biden signs short-term spending bill without aid for Ukraine, Israel. A day before a potential government shutdown, US President Joe Biden signed a temporary spending bill, thereby deferring a decision on military aid funding for Ukraine and Israel.

Pentagon urges Congress to pass funding for Ukraine, Israel. Pentagon urges congressional funding for Ukraine and Israel support to strengthen US industry and worker prosperity, ensuring national and international security.

New developments

DTEK energy company: more air defense systems needed to protect power plants. Ukraine needs more Patriot and IRIS-T systems to protect its critical infrastructure against Russian ballistic missile strikes this winter, DTEK CEO Maksym Timchenko told Reuters.

EU ambassador to Ukraine: “Working for a month in Ukraine feels like working for six months in another country”. Katarina Maternova, the newly appointed EU ambassador to Ukraine, highlighted that “Ukraine’s made great changes since the start of the full-scale war.”

Read our earlier daily review here.

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