Russo-Ukrainian War, day 964: Ukraine delivers million drones to frontline as Russia advances in Donetsk Oblast

Military

Ukrainian military: Liberation of Kinburn Spit just matter of time. Liberation of the Kinburn Spit is crucial for Ukraine’s military, as it would enhance control over the northwestern Black Sea and strengthen operational capabilities.

Fire rages for week following Ukrainian strike on Feodosia oil terminal in Crimea. The largest oil terminal in Crimea, located in Feodosia, was nearly wiped out after a Ukrainian strike.

Ukrainian military: Toretsk in ruins as Russian forces advance. “As Russian forces devastate the mining town of Toretsk, their offensive threatens to expand towards Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. Ukrainian officials report massive Russian losses in the city.

Zelenskyy: Russian troops are attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses in Kursk Oblast for five days in row. Ukrainian forces are strengthening defensive positions despite ongoing Russian efforts to regain control.

Media: Russia retakes 100 km² in Kursk Oblast over a week. Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, launched on 6 August, initially captured around 1,000 km² of territory.

Ukrainian troops crossed Russian border two days before operation in Kursk Oblast – commander. Ukrainian forces managed to sow chaos among Russian units by striking command posts and disrupting communications before pushing into Kursk Oblast.

Ukrainian military: Russians hold east, southeast of strategic Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. The Russian offensive on Toretsk began four months ago, with invading forces making slow but steady progress despite suffering astronomical losses.

DeepState: Russia advances near six settlements in Donetsk Oblast and Kursk Oblast. The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has announced new measures to strengthen defenses following Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

Frontline report: Ukraine counters Russian gains in Kursk, reclaims 5km of lost territory. Despite being outnumbered 3-to-1, Ukrainian forces swiftly retook two towns in Kursk Oblast after the Russians advanced 10 km.

As of 14 OCT 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: 670190 (+1260)
• Tanks: 8975 (+4)
• APV: 17895 (+19)
• Artillery systems: 19421 (+11)
• MLRS: 1231
• Anti-aircraft systems: 978
• Aircraft: 369
• Helicopters: 329
• UAV: 17009 (+17)
• Cruise missiles: 2619
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 26622 (+38)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine delivers million state-funded drones to frontline, says Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s domestic drone production has reached new heights, with President Zelenskyy reporting the delivery of one million units to the front.

Media: Russians dropped at least 128 aerial bombs in Russia and occupied areas since March. The latest incident reportedly occurred on 10 October, when Russian aircraft dropped a FAB-500 bomb near Neklyudovo village in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast.

Mysterious drone activity over Langley Air Force Base “puzzles” US officials. The sighting of unidentified drones over restricted airspace in Virginia has prompted high-level discussions at the White House and Pentagon.

Ukraine destroys Russian Tu-134 military leadership aircraft. Ukraine’s Intelligence (HUR) claims a destruction of a Tu-134 aircraft, typically used for transporting Russian high-ranking defense personnel.

Russian Kinzhal-capable MiG-31K fighters likely left Belarus after brief stay, monitoring group reports. On 10 October, two MiGs took off from Machulishchy airfield and were observed flying towards Russia, Belaruski Hayun says.

Estonia seeks to buy Ukrainian-made weapons – but restrictions apply. Estonia aims to support Ukraine’s defense industry by purchasing its weapons, but wartime restrictions present challenges.

International

Borrell: EU mission to train Ukrainian military to be extended for two years. The EU Training Mission for Ukrainian military is operating primarily in Poland and Germany.

Czech Republic spends over $8 billion on Russian oil and gas. Analysts argue that the Czech Republic has alternatives to Russian oil, despite the country’s continued reliance on Moscow’s exports.

Zelenskyy to unveil Ukraine’s Victory Plan this week. The plan is designed to secure international pressure on Russia for a just conclusion to the conflict.

EU imposes new sanctions on Iranian firms and officials over Russia missile transfers. The restrictive measures targeted companies and officials involved in supplying drones and missiles to Russia amid recent reports of Iran delivering hundreds of Fath-360 ballistic missile systems to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Politico: Hungary’s Orbán blocks $ 50 billion aid for Ukraine to help Trump. As Hungarian Prime Minister declares he would open “several bottles of champagne” if Trump wins in November, his actions in Brussels are threatening a crucial $50 billion loan package for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets

Biden: US ready for nuclear talks with Russia, China, and North Korea. Amid rising nuclear threats, US President proposed negotiations with Russia, China, and North Korea. The US aims to reduce nuclear arsenals and address the escalating rhetoric that has followed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

German opposition leader Merz proposes conditional Taurus missile delivery to Ukraine. Friedrich Merz, head of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, suggested first lifting long-range weapons restrictions, then providing the Taurus missiles to Ukraine if Russian bombardments continue.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukrainian patients in occupied territories to be denied free medications without Russian passports. The Eastern Human Rights Group has said that from next year, access to free subsidized medications in Russian-occupied territories will be available only for those who hold a Russian passport.

Russia kills 1, injures 8 in its missile attack on Odesa. The killed and injured were port infrastructure workers and Ukrainian citizens. Two of the injured are in critical condition, Governor Oleh Kiper said.

ISW: Russian milbloggers glorify execution of Ukrainian POWs, frame them as acceptable warfare. Popular Russian military bloggers, some with millions of followers including soldiers, are actively promoting the execution of Ukrainian POWs. This rhetoric, amplified by Kremlin-affiliated channels, risks normalizing war crimes among Russian forces.

New developments

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rebukes singer Jared Leto for minimizing war in Ukraine as “problems”. The ministry accused Leto of insulting Ukrainian defenders by expressing a desire to perform in Russia and referring to the war as “problems,” considering that Russia attempts to “solve the ‘problem’ of Ukraine’s very existence.”

Read our earlier daily review here.