Category: War in Ukraine

Russia's latest mass attack on Ukraine shows Russian President Vladimir Putin's true response to attempts at appeasement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Nov. 17.

"Russia launched one of the largest air attacks: drones and missiles against peaceful cities, sleeping civilians, critical infrastructure," Sybiha said. Ukrainian air defenses shot down around 140 of the 210 drones and missiles launched at the country, primarily targeting the energy grid.

"This is war criminal Putin’s true response to all those who called and visited him recently. We need peace through strength, not appeasement."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Nov. 15 held the first phone call with Putin in two years, during which he condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine, urged Putin to withdraw his troops, and discussed potential talks with Kyiv.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed concerns over the Scholz-Putin call, saying that such lengthy conversations have been a tool Putin has exploited for over 20 years, now providing him hope for easing his international isolation.

The call came amid growing uncertainties about the stability of Western support and Ukraine's setbacks on the battlefield.

Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election adds to the uncertainties, with some fearing that Washington might withdraw its support and force Kyiv toward painful concessions. In turn, top Ukrainian officials voiced hope for a more resolute decision-making.

"Certainly, with the policies of this team that will now lead the White House, the war will end faster. This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia launches one of the largest aerial strikes on Ukraine, targets energy gridRussia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine overnight on Nov. 17. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said that as a result of falling drone debris, an apartment on the fourth floor of a five-story residential building caught fire in the Pechersk neighborhood of the city, injuring two people.The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

A Russian missile strike on a nine-story building in Sumy killed 8 people, including 2 children. More than 400 residents were evacuated, dozens were injured, and the rescue operation continues.

More than 400 people were evacuated from a house in Sumy, which was hit by a missile attack by the occupiers today, November 17. It is already known about 8 dead, including 2 children. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Igor Klimenko, writes UNN.

More than 400 people have been evacuated from a building in Sumy damaged by Russia… Unfortunately, there are victims: as of now, there is information about 8 dead, including 2 children. Several dozens are wounded. The information is constantly being updated”

– the statement said.

It is noted that apartment-by-apartment visits to all high-rise buildings damaged by the strike are currently underway to find all the victims.

We are deploying the invincibility points. Rescuers, police officers, and all other necessary services are on site to help people cope with their injuries and provide all the support they need. The police are documenting the consequences of the war crime and accepting citizens' statements,

– Klymenko added.

Recall

Russian troops launched a missile attack on a nine-story building in Sumy. There are dead and wounded, including children, and the rescue operation continues.

U.S. President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes inside Russia, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy, the New York Times reported on Nov. 17.

The decision comes as Russia, with the support of North Korean troops, prepares a large-scale assault on Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.

While the U.S. officials do not expect this move to “change the overall course of the war”, Biden aims to help Ukraine target critical Russian and North Korean military assets and send a deterrent message to Pyongyang.

The policy change follows Biden's previous hesitance to provide such weapons, out of concern for escalating tensions with Russia.

Proponents of the decision have long argued that this authorization would significantly enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, especially with Russia increasing military offensives on many fronts, and intensifying drone and missile attacks in recent months.

The talks on loosening U.S. restrictions reportedly began after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Aug. 30 visited Washington and presented senior officials with a list of high-value targets in Russia that Ukraine wants to hit with Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

Russia mulls ‘various responses’ if West aids Ukraine with long-range strikes, Putin saysThe Russian Defense Ministry is considering “various options” as a response if Ukraine launches long-range strikes against Russia with Western support, Russian President Vladimir Putin told state media in an interview published on Oct. 27.The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

In the coming days, Ukraine plans to launch its first long-range attacks with ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 306 km. The United States has authorized the use of weapons for strikes on russian territory.

Ukraine plans to conduct its first long-range attacks with US long-range missiles in the coming days, without disclosing details due to operational security concerns. This was reported by sources Reuters, writes UNN.

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According to sources, Ukraine will soon launch its first deep strikes using ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 306 km.

While some US officials have expressed skepticism that allowing long-range strikes will change the overall trajectory of the war, the decision could help Ukraine at a time when russian forces are making gains and possibly put Kyiv in a better bargaining position when and if ceasefire talks do take place.

It is unclear whether Trump will reverse Biden's decision when he takes office. Trump has long criticized the extent of US financial and military aid to Ukraine and promised to end the war quickly, without explaining how.

However, some Republicans in Congress have called on Biden to ease the rules for Ukraine's use of U.S.-provided weapons.

russia has warned that it will consider the easing of restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons as a serious escalation.

Recall

According to The New York Times, US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike russian territory.

According to U.S. officials, the weapons are likely to be used initially against russian and North Korean troops to protect Ukrainian forces in the kursk region of western russia.

President: Ukraine has developed four types of missiles, tests are underwayNov 16 2024, 09:49 AM • 20213 views

Editor's note: The article was updated with the latest statement by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 102 of the 120 missiles and 42 of the 90 drones launched by Russia overnight on Nov. 17, the Air Force reported.

Russian forces launched one of the heaviest aerial strikes against the country throughout the full-scale war, primarily targeting the energy grid.

During the attack, Russia deployed seven Tu-160, 16 Tu-95MS, and two Tu-22M3 bomber planes, five Su-34 fighter-bombers, four Su-27 fighter jets, 10 MiG-31K Kinzhal missile carriers, and four naval missile carriers, according to the Air Force.

Russia reportedly attacked Ukraine with a hypersonic 3M22 Zirkon missile, eight air-launched Kinzhal missiles, 101 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, one Iskander-M ballistic missile, four Kh-22/31P missiles, five Kh-59/69 aerial guided missiles, and 90 drones.

The country's air defenses shot down the Zirkon missile, seven Kinzhal missiles, 85 Kh-101 and Kalibr missiles, and all the Kh-22/31P and Kh-59/69 missiles, as well as 42 drones, according to the Air Force.

Forty-one drones were lost across Ukraine thanks to "active countermeasures," while two flew back to Russia and occupied territories, according to the statement.

Air defenses were active nearly all of Ukraine's regions: the Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Volyn and Lviv oblasts.

"We are grateful to our air defense forces involved in the attack, our aviation – F-16, Sukhoi, and MiG pilots – mobile fire groups, electronic warfare units, everybody worked in an organized manner," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets shot down close to 10 aerial targets on Nov. 17, the president added.

At least seven civilians were killed and at least 19 injured across multiple regions, according to preliminary data.

What we know about hypersonic Zircon missiles – Russia’s latest threatWhile Russian missile strikes on Kyiv have become horrifyingly routine during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the attack that occurred on March 25 was a rare event. Air raid sirens that normally give people more than enough time to grab a coat and get to the nearest shelter before missilesThe Kyiv IndependentChris York

On November 18, power supply restrictions are introduced in Ukraine due to damage to power facilities. From 6:00 to 22:00, two rounds of blackouts will be in effect simultaneously.

On November 18, all regions will be forced to apply consumption restrictions. This was reported by Ukrenergo, UNN writes.

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It is reported that from 6:00 to 22:00 there will be two simultaneous outages

The reason for the temporary return of restrictions is the damage to power facilities during today's massive missile and drone attack

– Ukrenergo said.

They added that power engineers are working to eliminate the consequences of the accident to return the equipment damaged by the enemy to operation as soon as possible.

The exact schedules of outages can be found on the website and official pages of your distribution system operator.

Recall

Overnight, russia launched a massive attack on electricity generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine.

During the attack, russia shelled DTEK's thermal power plants, severely damaging equipment. According to the IAEA, after massive missile strikes by Russia, Ukrainian NPPs reduced electricity production due to damage to substations.

russia fires 120 missiles and 90 drones at Ukraine during nighttime massive attackNov 17 2024, 08:17 AM • 40147 views

A drone strike damaged a factory on Nov. 17 in the Russian city of Izhevsk, more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to Alexander Brechalov, head of Russia's Udmurt Republic.

The factory produces air defense systems, radars, and other equipment for the Russian military, said Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

"Uknown drones attacked the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol in Russia. There, Russia produces the Tor air defense systems, as well as radars and other components," Kovalenko wrote on his Telegram channel.

Brechalov reported an explosion and a "drone crash" at an unnamed "factory workshop" on the city's Lenina Street. One person was injured, and the crash damaged the facility's windows, the official claimed, adding that there "was no serious damage."

Citing local residents, the Russian Telegram channel Astra also reported that the 300th production unit of the Kupol defense plant, standing at the intersection of Lenina and 40 Let Pobedy streets, was targeted.

The claims could not be independently verified. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) says it cannot provide any information at the moment in response to the Kyiv Independent's request for comment.

Izhevsk is the regional center of the Udmurt Republic, lying in central Russia west of the Ural Mountains. This would mark the first drone attack against the region during the entire war.

Throughout the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has carried out a number of long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory, primarily targeting the country's oil and defense industries.

Ukraine expands long-range drone strikes target list, alcohol now on the menuUkraine faces a tricky dilemma as winter approaches. How can it disrupt an expected mass Russian missile campaign targeting the country’s infrastructure while simultaneously being barred from using Western-supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russia? Despite being limited to the use of long-ra…The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Servicewoman Natalia Grabarchuk successfully destroyed a Russian cruise missile from the Igla man-portable air defense system. It was her first combat launch after 5 months of training at the training center.

On the morning of November 17, soldier Natalia Grabarchuk, who in civilian life was a kindergarten teacher, destroyed a cruise missile from an Igla MANPADS during a massive Russian attack.

This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, UNN reports.

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It was her first combat launch, and her first hit. Natalia completed a 5-month training course at the training center, mastered various types of portable air defense systems

– the message says.

Natalia herself said that when the enemy missile appeared in front of her, she rejected all emotions and excitement.

I made hundreds of training launches on simulators. And then – the first combat launch and hit the target. The man-portable air defense system weighs about 18 kilograms, and the responsibility is also a burden. I am very glad that I managed to do it. After the combat work, I let my emotions run wild. Our mobile firing team includes female soldiers. We make every effort to achieve the result, give our all

– the woman said.

The Air Force said that Natalia Hrabarchuk was a preschool teacher in civilian life. Since 2021, she has been an anti-aircraft gunner of the anti-aircraft missile unit of the Galician-Volyn Radio Technical Brigade of the West Air Command.

The footage shows a woman on the roof of a building “guiding” an enemy target, and then firing an IGLA MANPADS that hits the enemy target.

Gotcha. I got you, Natasha, I got you

– a voiceover is heard.

Recall

Russia fired about 120 missiles and 90 drones of various types at Ukraine. Air defense destroyed more than 140 targets, but there was damage to energy infrastructure and deaths.

Ukraine's international partners have denounced Russia's most recent mass aerial strike launched against the country on Nov. 17.

"As we approach 1000 days since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia shows it has no intention of ceasing its aggression," said Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.

Russia launched 120 missiles and 90 drones against Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure and residential areas across the country in what became one of the largest attacks during the war.

"The Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine in every way: politically, militarily, financially, and morally," Veldkamp said on X.

"Norway condemns this illegal war and continues to #StandWithUkraine, providing arms and support against Russia’s aggression," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in the wake of the attack.

According to U.S. Ambassador to Kyiv Bridget A. Brink, the attack underscores how "Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens the security of all of Europe."

Moldova's recently re-elected president, Maia Sandu, joined the condemnations, saying, "Weaponizing winter to freeze a nation into submission is cruel and unacceptable. Moldova stands with Ukraine."

Ukraine's neighbor Moldova has felt the effect of Russian attacks more directly, with missile and drone wreckage being discovered on Moldovan territory on several occasions.

Russia's latest barrage of missile strikes marks the first mass missile attack on Kyiv in over 2 months, with Russia instead utilizing more frequent drone strikes in recent months to attack the capital.

Moscow targeted "power generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine," according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

"The transmission system operator has urgently introduced emergency shutdowns," Halushchenko said. Officials have been warning that Russia may resume strikes on the energy grid as temperatures drop, mirroring the strategy used in the spring and summer of this year and in the autumn-winter season of 2022-2023.

Russia launches one of the largest aerial strikes on Ukraine, targets energy gridRussia targeted “power generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine,” according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

As a result of Russia's morning attack in Odesa region, critical infrastructure has been disrupted. We have deployed 445 stabilization points in the region, and 300 more are ready to go.

The head of the Odesa regional state administration, Oleh Kiper, spoke about the consequences of the morning Russian attack on Odesa, UNN reports .

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He clarified that the situation is complicated.

Many places in the region have no heat, electricity or water supply. All services are involved to restore water supply and heat to homes and critical infrastructure within a few hours. As for electricity, we are currently working with all services to restore it as soon as possible

– He says.

Kiper added that 445 points of invincibility have been deployed so far.

More than 300 more have been prepared. We will analyze the situation in the region and after 2 p.m. I will report on the current state of affairs

– He clarified.

Kiper also expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the morning attack in Odesa.

"We are still clearing the rubble, and the data is being clarified. I will provide you with the exact information later," he added.

Recall

UNN reported that as a result of the Russian attack on Odesa region, two people were killed and a 17-year-old boy was wounded. Seven houses were damaged in the region, and there were problems with communications, which are gradually being restored.

Rescuers remove a part of a Russian missile from a residential building in Kyiv's Pechersk districtNov 17 2024, 11:19 AM • 6452 views