The British military is conducting demining training for the Ukrainian military as part of Operation Interflex. Twelve NATO and partner countries have joined the initiative to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces in countering explosive ordnance.
British instructors are teaching Ukrainian military how to defuse explosive devices. This is reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, UNN reports.
Details
The exercise is part of Operation Interflex, an international initiative led by the United Kingdom that began in July 2022.
Operation Interflex aims to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces and involves 12 NATO and partner nations, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sweden, and Kosovo. These nations provide instructors who impart important skills for dealing with explosive ordnance.
According to estimates by the HALO Trust , after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, up to two million landmines could have been planted in the country, which have already claimed the lives of many military and civilians. This situation makes demining training extremely important, as EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) specialists not only save lives at the front, but also help to return security to peaceful regions.
Britain will continue military support for Ukraine: what Syrsky and Radakin discussedNov 22 2024, 04:46 PM • 19529 views
Ukraine has lost over 40% of territory previously gained in Kursk incursion, Reuters reports
West should 'not set red lines' on providing military support for Ukraine, French foreign minister says
Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky says
Russia recruits hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, FT reports
Ukraine has lost over 40 percent of the territory it previously gained in Russia's Kursk Oblast due to Russian counterattacks, Reuters reported on Nov. 23, citing a source in Ukraine's General Staff.
"At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometres, now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks," the source told Reuters.
"Now we control approximately 800 square kilometres. We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate."
Ukraine first gained a foothold in Kursk Oblast during a surprise incursion into the Russian region in early August. Since then, Russia has launched extensive counterattacks in an effort to take back the region.
NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming to recapture territory lost in Kursk Oblast before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, hoping to gain leverage in future peace negotiations, The Telegraph reported.
The source added that nearly 60,000 Russian army personnel are currently stationed in Kursk Oblast, planning to reach the border with Sumy Oblast to create a "buffer zone" there, as Ukraine looked to do with its incursion into Kursk Oblast.
Kyiv has previously said that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers have joined the counteroffensive in Kursk, with the General Staff source noting that the majority of North Korean soldiers was finalizing training along Russian forces.
The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify the information provided by the General Staff source.
As Russia's attempt to take back Kursk continues to progress, Russia has also intensified its attacks along the eastern front in recent weeks, putting Ukrainian forces under mounting pressure as they struggle to defend key positions.
West should 'not set red lines' on providing military support for Ukraine, French foreign minister says
Western allies should "not set and express red lines" on providing Ukraine with military support against Russian aggression, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the BBC in an excerpt of an interview published on Nov. 23 .
The comments come just days after U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missile to strike targets within Russia, many months after President Volodymyr Zelensky first made the request.
Barrot stated that Ukraine could use French-supplied long-range missiles "in the logics of self defense" to strike targets within Russia, but did not elaborate as to whether Kyiv has already used the French-provided weapons.
"(France) will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary," Barrot said.
"Why? Because it is our security that is at stake. Each time the Russian army progresses by one square kilometer, the threat gets one square kilometer closer to Europe."
During the interview Barrot also hinted France may eventually invite Ukraine to join NATO as part of Zelensky's five-point victory plan.
"We are open to extending an invitation, and so in our discussions with friends and allies, and friends and allies of Ukraine, we are working to get them to closer to our positions," he said.
Days before Biden granted approval to use ATACMS in Russia, the leaders of France and the U.K. met in Paris on Nov. 11 to discuss a last-ditch attempt to persuade the U.S. to allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with Western weapons before Donald Trump enters the White House in January.
Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky says
Over the past week, Russia has launched over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 24.
"The air raid siren has sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week. Only last night, our air defense forces managed to shoot down about 50 attack drones," Zelensky wrote on Telegram, sharing a video showing Russian attacks across the country.
On the morning of Nov. 21, Russia unveiled a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), dubbed "Oreshnik," in an attack targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine.
"Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent state. Yet Russia persists in its attempts to destroy our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us," Zelensky said.
He also reiterated the urgent need for bolstered air defenses. "Ukraine needs more air defense systems, and we are working on this with our partners. It is crucial to strengthen the protection of our sky," he said.
On Nov. 22, Zelensky instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to engage with international allies to acquire advanced air defense capabilities.
The IRBM attack followed Ukraine’s reported first successful strike on a military target within Russian territory using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.
Unlike cruise missiles, IRBMs are guided only in the initial phase of launch, making them less precise. However, their exceptional speed — often exceeding 3,200 kilometers per hour as they near their targets — makes them a formidable threat.
Russia recruits hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, FT reports
Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from Yemen to fight in its war against Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 24.
The recruits told the FT they had been promised lucrative jobs, "high salaries," and even Russian citizenship. However, after arriving in Russia with the help of a Houthi-linked company, they were "forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine," according to the report.
The FT described the operation as a "shadowy trafficking operation," underscoring the deepening ties between the Kremlin and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has relied on various methods to enlist migrants and foreign nationals to offset its heavy battlefield losses while avoiding full-scale mobilization.
Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other nations.
North Korea has also sent an estimated 10,000 troops to Russia, many of whom are stationed in the western Kursk Oblast and engaged in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a Nov. 12 briefing.
In October, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that Yemen's Houthi militants have been using Russian satellite data to target ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. The targeting information was reportedly provided through Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enabling the Houthis to expand their strikes.
This collaboration demonstrates how far Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to go to destabilize the Western political and economic order, the WSJ reported. Analysts suggest that Moscow aims to foment unrest from the Middle East to Asia to distract the United States.
According to the FT, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking confirmed that Russia is "actively pursuing contacts" with the Houthis, including discussions involving weapons transfers. While Lenderking declined to elaborate, he noted that Russian personnel in Sana'a are facilitating this dialogue.
"The kinds of weapons being discussed are very alarming and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and potentially beyond," Lenderking told the FT.
Two explosions were recorded in the Koryukiv district of Chernihiv region after a russian missile strike. The attack wounded a 28-year-old man and damaged outbuildings.
According to preliminary information, russians launched a missile attack in Chernihiv region. Two explosions were recorded in the Koryukiv district. This was reported by the RSA, UNN reports.
Details
It is reported that after the air alert was announced, two explosions occurred in the Koryukivka district after 4 p.m.
The enemy launched a missile attack in Chernihiv region
– wrote RSA Chairman Vyacheslav Chaus.
He also said that a 28-year-old man was injured in the explosion and hospitalized in a local hospital.
Outbuildings were also damaged.
Recall
During the week, russia launched more than 800 bombs, 460 drones, and 20 missiles of various types at Ukraine. President emphasized the need to strengthen air defense and is negotiating with partners.
Russian tricolors near the border in Chernihiv region destroyed by drones: border guards showed videoNov 16 2024, 07:34 AM • 21261 view
Russian troops fatally shot two civilian women and injured a man in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, the regional prosecutor’s office reported on Nov. 24.
According to the report, at around 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, Russian soldiers entered an apartment in a residential area of Toretsk and "deliberately" opened fire with automatic weapons on three civilians.
Two women were killed on the spot, while a man sustained injuries, including fractures to his shoulder and collarbone.
An investigation into the incident has been launched, the prosecutor's office said.
Toretsk has emerged as one of the hottest areas in Donetsk Oblast in recent months as Russian forces press their offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine has accused Russian troops of committing over 137,000 war crimes since the start of the full-scale invasion. These include the mass abduction of Ukrainian children, the torture of civilians in occupied areas, and widespread killings.
To date, 122 combat engagements with Russian troops have been recorded. The highest activity is observed in the Kurakhove sector, where the enemy carried out 34 attacks.
As of 16 hours on November 24, the number of combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the occupiers increased to 122. This is reported in the operational summary of the General Staff, UNN writes.
Details
It is noted that today the communities of Solianyky, Khrinivka, Basivka, Zhuravka, Novenke, Oleksandriya, Volfyno, Obody and Tymofiivka suffered from enemy artillery and mortar fire in Chernihiv and Sumy regions.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attacked the positions of our units twice near Tykhy and Vovchansk, repelled one attack, and the firefight is currently ongoing. Enemy aircraft also attacked Hranove with bombs.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian occupants attacked the Defense Forces eight times in the areas of Novomlynsk, Kolisnykivka, Kruhlyakivka, Senkove and Lozova.
On the Liman direction, the invading army carried out 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Druzhelyubivka, Hrekivka, Novoyehorivka, Terny, Yampolivka, Torske and Serebryanka, three firefights are still ongoing. Ukrainian soldiers are steadfastly holding the line and inflicting losses on the enemy.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled four attacks by Russian invaders near Chasovyi Yar and Stupochky since the beginning of the day.
In the Toretsk sector, the aggressor made six attempts to advance in the areas of Diliyivka, Toretsk and Shcherbynivka, with one combat engagement ongoing.
On the Pokrovske direction, Russian invaders made 16 attempts to push our defenders from their positions in the areas of Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Hryhorivka, Dachenske, Pustynka and Chumatske. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelled 12 enemy attacks, with four combat engagements still ongoing.
In the Kurakhove direction, the enemy army attacked 34 times near the settlements of Berestky, Sontsivka, Novodmitrivka, Zorya, Kurakhove, Dale, Romanivka, Yelizavetivka and Hanivka. Twenty-three attempts by the occupiers to advance have already been repelled, and fighting continues.
Five enemy attacks continue in the Vremivsk sector near Trudove, Novosilka and Makarivka. Ukrainian troops have already repelled eight occupants' attacks in this sector.
On the Prydniprovsky direction, the enemy tried to attack the positions of Ukrainian units once without success.
The operation in Kursk region continues. Enemy aircraft continue to destroy Ukrainian villages and towns. Since the beginning of the day, Russian aircraft have carried out 18 strikes, dropping 21 unexploded ordnance on Ukrainian territory. The defense forces repelled 12 attacks by Russian occupation forces in this area today, and the fighting continues.
Add
Units of the missile troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a successful strike on the positions of the anti-aircraft missile division of the Russian Federation in the Kursk region. A radar station of the S-400 air defense system, which was used to shell civilian targets, was destroyed.
More than 1000 occupants, 4 tanks and 5 artillery systems: General Staff updates data on enemy lossesNov 24 2024, 06:08 AM • 30993 views
Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from Yemen to fight in its war against Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 24.
The recruits told the FT they had been promised lucrative jobs, "high salaries," and even Russian citizenship. However, after arriving in Russia with the help of a Houthi-linked company, they were “forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine,” according to the report.
The FT described the operation as a “shadowy trafficking operation,” underscoring the deepening ties between the Kremlin and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has relied on various methods to enlist migrants and foreign nationals to offset its heavy battlefield losses while avoiding full-scale mobilization.
Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other nations.
North Korea has also sent an estimated 10,000 troops to Russia, many of whom are stationed in the western Kursk Oblast and engaged in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a Nov. 12 briefing.
In October, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that Yemen’s Houthi militants have been using Russian satellite data to target ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. The targeting information was reportedly provided through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enabling the Houthis to expand their strikes.
This collaboration demonstrates how far Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to go to destabilize the Western political and economic order, the WSJ reported. Analysts suggest that Moscow aims to foment unrest from the Middle East to Asia to distract the United States.
According to the FT, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking confirmed that Russia is “actively pursuing contacts” with the Houthis, including discussions involving weapons transfers. While Lenderking declined to elaborate, he noted that Russian personnel in Sana’a are facilitating this dialogue.
“The kinds of weapons being discussed are very alarming and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and potentially beyond,” Lenderking told the FT.
A series of acts of sabotage involving explosive devices against security forces have been reported in Ukraine. In Kyiv, a military officer was killed by a disguised explosive, and police officers narrowly escaped a grenade attack while responding to a call.
A wave of sabotage attacks against the military and law enforcement officers using explosives and grenades is being recorded in Ukraine. This was reported to UNN by its own sources.
Details
According to sources of UNN, one of the incidents involved a serviceman in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv, when the guard was walking around the area and noticed a package lying near a car. When the serviceman bent down to pick it up, an explosive device was remotely detonated. The soldier died. Sources note that a camera was attached to a tree near the scene and broadcasting.
An explosion occurs in Kyiv due to the detonation of an unknown object: one person is killedNov 22 2024, 03:01 PM • 19634 views
Another case occurred in the Pechersk district, when the police received a report from a woman about violence by her husband. The woman claimed that she had locked herself in the bathroom.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers called a woman who said the door to the apartment was unlocked and told them to enter. After opening the door and stepping into the apartment, the police heard the grenade's pin go off and managed to close the door. The police officers were not injured.
Recall
Police detained the man who opened fire in a Kyiv hotel on November 27. The shooting, which was preceded by a fight, killed a 27-year-old man and wounded two people.
Over the past week, Russia has launched over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 24.
“The air raid siren has sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week. Only last night, our air defense forces managed to shoot down about 50 attack drones,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, sharing a video showing Russian attacks across the country.
On the morning of Nov. 21, Russia unveiled a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), dubbed "Oreshnik," in an attack targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent state. Yet Russia persists in its attempts to destroy our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us,” Zelensky said.
He also reiterated the urgent need for bolstered air defenses. “Ukraine needs more air defense systems, and we are working on this with our partners. It is crucial to strengthen the protection of our sky,” he said.
On Nov. 22, Zelensky instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to engage with international allies to acquire advanced air defense capabilities.
The IRBM attack followed Ukraine’s reported first successful strike on a military target within Russian territory using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.
Unlike cruise missiles, IRBMs are guided only in the initial phase of launch, making them less precise. However, their exceptional speed — often exceeding 3,200 kilometers per hour as they near their targets — makes them a formidable threat.
The Guardian reports on Trump's possible talks on Ukraine on Russia's terms if it breaks military ties with China. The newspaper emphasizes the importance of American support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
US President-elect Donald Trump may negotiate with Ukraine on the terms of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin if Russia breaks off military relations with China. This was reported by The Guardian , UNN and UNN.
Details
According to the newspaper, Trump talks about “peace through strength,” “victory,” and “America first,” which could mean guaranteeing air defense for Ukraine so that nuclear facilities are protected from Russian bombs, thus stopping a potential nuclear disaster.
Does “force” mean forcing Ukraine to give up its sovereignty? In Moscow, no one is in a hurry to reach an agreement. Putin feels that he is winning on the battlefield. The economy is starting to sweat – food prices are rising by 9% every month; interest rates are over 20% – but it's not a crisis yet. Russia's Soviet-era weapons will run out by the end of 2025; so Putin can start negotiations early next year but keep fighting until the end, escalating attacks on civilians whenever the talks don't go his way. How will trump conduct these negotiations in a Putin style? russia has always demanded a demilitarized Ukraine under the de facto political control of the kremlin. There are people in Trump's circle who may agree to this, especially if Russia breaks off its military relations with China,” the newspaper notes.
The publication emphasizes that even sacrificing contacts with Iran could be a bad deal for Putin. However, he may see in Trump and his entourage a version of his own kleptocracy.
“What can Ukraine offer? In the leaked notes from Zelenskiy's meeting with Trump before the election, the Ukrainian president emphasized the huge reserves of critical minerals that Americans lack, such as titanium, which is used for everything. But is this enough to inspire Trump? Whether the fighting stops this year or not, Ukraine's sovereignty depends on its being armed to the teeth. At least for the next two years, this will be difficult without American artillery and logistics,” the publication adds.
Although Trump has stated that he will bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, in reality he will have to negotiate with the Europeans and the UK.
Recall
In the last months of his administration, US President Joe Biden has sought to strengthen Ukraine's position in the war against Russia, as indicated by a number of decisions, including authorizing strikes on Russian territory. This is due to the fact that President-elect Donald Trump has promised to quickly end the war after coming to the White House.
Ukraine shot down 50 of the 73 drones launched by Russia overnight on Nov. 24, the Air Force reported.
Russia reportedly targeted Ukraine with Shahed drones and an unspecified type of drone launched from the Russian oblasts of Oryol and Bryansk.
The drones were downed over Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Zhytomyr oblasts, according to the Air Force. There have been no reports of casualties or damage.
As of 9 a.m. local time, four Russian drones remained in Ukrainian airspace, with combat operations ongoing.
Kyiv authorities reported in the morning that air defense forces shot down more than a dozen drones targeting the capital.
"Preliminary reports indicate no damage in the capital, and no information about casualties has been received," the Kyiv City Military Administration wrote on Telegram.
Russia has increased large-scale drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, depleting Ukraine's air defense systems and targeting critical infrastructure.
On Nov. 17, Russian forces launched one of the heaviest aerial strikes of the full-scale war, primarily targeting the energy grid. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 102 of the 120 missiles and 42 of the 90 drones launched overnight.
Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), reported on Nov. 18 that Russian forces are using cheap decoy drones with foreign components to overload Ukraine's air defense systems.
According to HUR, Russian manufacturers produce the Gerbera drone — a cheaper and less deadly equivalent of Iran's Shahed — at a plant in Yelabuga, in the Republic of Tatarstan, central Russia. These drones are reportedly made with components from the United States, China, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
