Russo-Ukrainian War, day 937: German foreign minister warns Moldova could be Russia’s next target if Ukraine falls
Meanwhile, the EU is considering a €40 billion loan package for Ukraine, bypassing potential objections to a G7 plan involving frozen Russian assets.
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Military
Ukraine destroys Russian ammunition depots near occupied Mariupol, Navy says. A missile attack by Ukraine’s navy has reportedly destroyed significant ammunition stockpiles that Russian forces had accumulated near Mariupol.
Russian army strikes at Kharkiv, injuring 7 people, including 4 rescuers. A Russian attack using FAB-250 bombs with gliding modules injured seven people in Kharkiv, including rescue workers fighting a nearby fire.
ISW: Ukraine advances in Vovchansk, near Pokrovsk, Russians make gains near Kreminna and Chasiv Yar. Ukrainian forces reclaimed positions in Vovchansk and near Pokrovsk, while Russian troops make advances near Kreminna, Chasiv Yar, and southwest of Donetsk City, per ISW.
Forbes: Ukraine employs encirclement strategy in Kursk to potentially trap thousands of Russian troops. Ukraine’s operation in Kursk Oblast demonstrates strategic advances, with potential encirclement of Russian forces, but faces challenges from equipment shortages and manpower constraints.
Ukrainian troops regain position near Torske in Donetsk Oblast –DeepState. Torske is situated in the Donetsk Oblast, near the administrative border with Luhansk Oblast. This position makes it a key point for controlling movement between the two oblasts.
Ukrainian military intel strikes Russian drone base in Syria, media sources say. HUR special forces reportedly struck a Russian military base near Aleppo, Syria, on 15 September, targeting a facility used for manufacturing and testing strike drones.
Politico: Ukraine launched Kursk incursion despite objections from some top brass. When briefed on the Kursk operation, General Zaluzhnyi reportedly asked, “Once you have the bridgehead, what then?” but never received an answer from President Zelenskyy.
Russian drone attack targets Konotop and Sumy cities as Ukraine downs 34 Shaheds of 51. The attack caused widespread power outages in Sumy, affecting over 280,000 people, while critical infrastructure is running on backup power.
As of 17 SEP 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
- Personnel: 635880 (+1020)
- Tanks: 8685 (+2)
- APV: 17077 (+6)
- Artillery systems: 18129 (+6)
- MLRS: 1188 (+1)
- Anti-aircraft systems: 947
- Aircraft: 369
- Helicopters: 328
- UAV: 15329 (+66)
- Cruise missiles: 2592
- Warships/boats: 28
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 24739 (+27)
Intelligence and technology
US arrests Russian citizen for illegally exporting military-use electronics to Russia. Denis Postovoy, a 44-year-old Russian, has been arrested in Sarasota, Florida, on charges of violating US export restrictions, money laundering, and smuggling military microelectronics to Russia.
CNN: Shrinking Pentagon stockpiles lead to reduced military aid for Ukraine. CNN says US military aid to Ukraine has decreased due to dwindling Pentagon stockpiles and concerns about military readiness. Slow production rates and inventory shortages are impacting the ability to meet Ukraine’s urgent requests for weapons and equipment.
Long-range strikes into Russia with British Storm Shadow missiles need US permission on cartography data. A complex web of international regulations and data ownership is complicating Ukraine’s plans to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russian military targets. The missiles’ advanced guidance system requires highly accurate US-owned elevation maps, potentially requiring Washington’s approval for their use.
International
Ukraine approves law allowing foreigners to serve as officers in Ukrainian military. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that foreign fighters defending Ukraine, along with their families, will be eligible for citizenship.
Sweden to increase defense spending to 2.4% of GDP, in particular to help Ukraine. Sweden’s planned defense budget increase of over 170 billion kronor between 2025-2030 aims to prepare the country for a more challenging security environment.
Ukraine urges World Chess Federation to maintain ban on Russian and Belarusian players. The appeal comes as FIDE plans to discuss the potential reinstatement of these federations at its General Assembly in Budapest.
Polish President Duda compares Soviet aggression against Poland to Russian war in Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda has drawn a stark parallel between the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 and Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, likening the atrocities committed in Katyn to the recent horrors in Bucha.
Diplomat slams China’s “peace plan” as cover for economic exploitation of Russia. As China continues to refer to the conflict as a “crisis” rather than a “war,” Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Veselovskyy warns that Beijing’s peace proposals should be disregarded.
“Ukraine is fighting with its hands tied,” MEP Loiseau criticizes Western hesitation on military aid in Strasbourg. During a Strasbourg debate, MEP Nathalie Loiseau condemned Western restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, calling for unrestricted military aid and permission for Ukraine to strike back at Russian forces.
EU must increase financial and military support for Ukraine, says MEP Kubilius. Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius has criticized the European Union for imposing financial and military aid restrictions on Ukraine, arguing that these limitations weaken both Ukrainian and European security.
German FM says Moldova Russia’s next target if Ukraine falls. “Everything that we do to support Ukraine also means fostering stabilization with regards to Moldova,” Baerbock said in Chișinău.
Stoltenberg: Each NATO ally to decide on Ukraine’s use of missiles in Russia. NATO chief welcomes discussions on Ukraine’s potential use of long-range missiles against Russian territory, but emphasizes that final decisions rest with individual allies.
Germany to provide additional $ 111 mn of aid to Ukraine this winter. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced a 100 mn euro (about $111 mn) aid package for Ukraine, citing Russia’s continued attacks on energy infrastructure.
EU considers $ 46 bn Ukraine loan package without participation of US. Brussels is exploring a unilateral €40bn ($46 bn) loan package for Ukraine, circumventing potential Hungarian objections to a G7 plan involving frozen Russian assets.
Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne. The event gathers international experts to discuss people-focused solutions, partnerships, and technological innovations for clearing mines across nearly 25% of Ukraine’s territory.
Former UK officials push for unilateral approval for Ukraine’s long-range missile use in Russia. The UK won’t permit Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets without US approval, as the government anticipates approval at the UN assembly, per The Times.
Humanitarian and social impact
Dombrovskis: Ukraine to face severe winter amid Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter, EU officials sounded the alarm over the cumulative damage inflicted by over 1,000 Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, threatening the survival of civilians across the country.
Political and legal developments
Sanctions loophole allows continued Russian oil profits, study finds. Western countries have purchased $2 billion worth of fuel refined from Russian oil in early 2024, potentially funding Moscow’s war efforts, a new report claims.
Read our earlier daily review here.
