Russo-Ukrainian war, day 944: Zelenskyy warns of Russian plans to attack Ukrainian nuclear plants

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Russia weaponizes history to erase Crimean Tatar identity. As an exiled Crimean Tatar journalist, I’ve witnessed my people’s desperate struggle to preserve our language, traditions, and very existence in the face of renewed Russian oppression.

Military

Zelenskyy warns of Russian plans to attack Ukrainian nuclear plants. He said Russia is currently collecting information about NPPs using Chinese satellites and is likely to strike closer to winter.

Ukrainian intelligence units liberate the Vovchansk aggregate plant (video). Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has confirmed its units have recaptured the key Russian stronghold in Vovchansk, paving the way towards complete liberation of this borderland town in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast.

Frontline report: Six months’ worth of ammo wiped out in recent Ukraine strikes. Six Russian ammo depots are within the Palianytsia range. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have destroyed key Russian ammunition depots in Tver and Krasnodar, including North Korean missiles, severely disrupting Russia’s logistics.

ISW: Ukraine advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russians gain ground near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk. Ukraine advanced in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, while Russian forces gain ground near Donetsk Oblast’s Kupiansk and Pokrovsk, adopting defensive posture north Kharkiv Oblast and increasing offensives near Vuhledar.

As of 24 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: 645150 (+1400)
    • Tanks: 8800 (+16)
    • APV: 17292 (+40)
    • Artillery systems: 18475 (+61)
    • MLRS: 1198 (+1)
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 952
    • Aircraft: 369
    • Helicopters: 328
    • UAV: 15764 (+65)
    • Cruise missiles : 2595
    • Warships/boats: 28
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 25175 (+73)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine reclaims spot among top 20 steel producers after wartime setback. Ukraine’s steel industry shows signs of recovery, rising from 25th to 20th place globally after dropping out of the top 20 due to the war.

Ukraine continues efforts to degrade Russian air defense capabilities, destroying Russia’s BUK and Tor systems (video). Ukrainians successfully struck two Russian air defense systems, a Buk-M3 and a Tor-M2, using precision strikes with HIMARS and drones.

Russians add rear-view cameras to drones to counter Ukrainian FPV threats. After Ukraine deployed FPV drones against Russian UAVs, Russia quickly added rear-view cameras to detect incoming anti-air UAVs.

Bloomberg: Russia to boost military spending by 27% in 2025. Russia’s 2025 draft budget reveals a continued shift towards a war economy, with defense spending set to reach 6.2% of GDP, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg.

International

Zelenskyy honors Japanese PM Kishida, discusses energy support and sanctions. The leaders discussed securing $50 billion from frozen Russian assets and Japanese humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets Indian PM Narendra Modi in New York. The leaders discussed strengthening cooperation and intensifying joint efforts on international platforms.

Germany prepares a meeting between Biden, Scholz, Macron and Starmer to support Ukraine – Spiegel. Less than a month before the US presidential election, Joe Biden will visit Germany and potentially meet with European counterparts to reaffirm support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and Scholz hold a closed-door meeting in the US. They discussed “how to bring a just peace closer” and “maintain unity,” as well as preparations for the second Peace Summit, without making any further details public.

Zelenskyy to have two meetings with Biden in the US – Nikiforov. President Zelenskyy’s upcoming US trip will include a visit to the Capitol, two meetings with President Biden, and presentations to Congress, his spokesperson revealed.

Ukraine responds to Czech president’s comment on temporary occupation: “Territorial integrity non-negotiable”. Ukraine has reaffirmed its commitment to regaining all occupied territories, following recent comments by Czech President Petr Pavel suggesting that Ukraine might need to accept partial territorial losses to Russia, at least temporarily.

Ukraine’s NATO invitation part of Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan, his office confirms. “Ukraine’s NATO invitation is part of the victory plan. I also urged our partners not to be swayed by threats of escalation from the Russian Federation,” Yermak stated.

Norway to allocate $ 9.5 mn for evacuation of wounded from Ukraine to Europe. In a move to address the “still high” demand, Norway will spend $9.5 million to extend its program transporting severely injured Ukrainians to European medical facilities.

Pennsylvania partners with Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast for reconstruction. Pennsylvania, home to over 160,000 Ukrainians, has agreed to partner with Zaporizhzhia Oblast for post-war reconstruction efforts.

Netherlands to provide $ 233 million to Ukraine to restore critical infrastructure. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp reveals substantial aid for Ukraine following a meeting with G7 foreign ministers in New York.

Reuters: No meeting set between Trump and Zelenskyy during UN visit yet. Trump accused Zelenskyy of wanting Democrats to win the 2024 election and criticized US aid to Ukraine, while Harris’s campaign defends it. No Trump-Zelenskyy meeting is planned yet, per Reuters sources.

EU’s Borrell urges increased aid to protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. EU foreign policy chief urges Western allies to provide air defenses and energy support for Ukraine ahead of winter amid Russia’s targeting of its energy system.

Denmark to provide over $ 19 million to Ukraine for energy recovery. Danish Minister Lars Aagaard has criticized Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure while pledging substantial financial support for recovery efforts.

G7 and EU discuss Ukraine’s energy and military needs ahead of winter. EU and G7 foreign ministers discuss supporting Ukraine’s energy and military needs, emphasizing electricity production capacity and focusing on air defense against Russian infrastructure attacks.

NYT: Biden faces pressure to allow Ukraine longer-range strikes on Russia. The US President faces mounting pressure to permit Ukraine’s use of longer-range weapons against Russian bases. Finland’s president and NATO’s departing secretary general urge loosening restrictions while Ukraine loses ground in Donbas.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian glide bombs hit residential buildings and a bakery in Kharkiv, causing 37 casualties. In total, Russians launched eight FAB-500 aerial bombs at residential areas of Kharkiv on 24 September 2024.

“I broke everyone and will do the same to you”: Russian authorities torture Ukrainians with a sense of impunity . A UN commission has found that Russian forces are systematically using sexual violence as a form of torture against Ukrainian prisoners. The report highlights a disturbing pattern of abuse, with male detainees particularly targeted in custody, while women in Russian-controlled villages face heightened risk of rape.

Political and legal developments

Swiss Parliament recognizes genocidal nature of 1930s famine in Ukraine. The Swiss Parliament has passed a resolution declaring the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine, as a genocidal act that claimed millions of lives.

SBU arrests Ukrainian soldier in Kharkiv for aiding Russian missile strikes. Law enforcers detained a recently mobilized 45-year-old soldier in Kharkiv for suspected collaboration with Russian military intelligence, providing target coordinates for air strikes, and planning to flee to Russia to join enemy forces.

Read our earlier daily review here.