Category: War in Ukraine

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Lima on Nov. 16 to discuss a "range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said.

Biden met the Chinese leader on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, marking his last meeting with Xi before leaving office in January 2025.

"President Biden condemned the deployment of thousands of (North Korean) troops to Russia, a dangerous expansion of Russia’s unlawful war against Ukraine with serious consequences for both European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the White House statement read.

Pyongyang has deployed around 11,000 troops to reinforce Moscow's troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, in addition to already provided artillery and missiles.

China, a close partner to both Russia and North Korea, has claimed it had no knowledge of the troop transfer, though some experts disputed this statement.

Biden also "expressed deep concern over (China's) continued support for Russia’s defense industrial base." While claiming neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, China has become Russia's leading source of dual-use goods, helping to sustain the Russian defense industry amid the invasion.

The German media outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) recently reported that the EU obtained evidence that this support has expanded to "lethal aid," specifically the production of attack drones.

During the meeting, Xi claimed that China's position regarding the war has "always been fair and square," the Xinhua state news agency reported. The Chinese president also said his country would "not allow conflict and turmoil to happen on the Korean Peninsula" and that Beijing would "not sit idly by" while its strategic interests are endangered, Xinhua wrote.

Biden is concluding his term before the inauguration of his political rival and former president, Donald Trump, whose return to the White House may significantly impact Russia's war in Ukraine and security worldwide.

China was well aware of North Korean troop deployment ahead of time, expert saysBeijing was fast at claiming that it had no knowledge of Russia’s deepening partnership with North Korea. The U.S. had jumped on the opportunity, hoping to pressure China to dissuade North Korea from taking an active part in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Observers, however, are skeptical about Chi…The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

The President of Moldova condemned Russia's large-scale air strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Russia fired about 120 missiles and 90 drones, and its air defense system destroyed more than 140 targets.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, in her post on the X network, also noted that using winter cold as a weapon to force the nation to submit is cruel.

UNN writes with a link to the page of the Moldovan leader on the X platform (Twitter).

I strongly condemn Russia's massive air strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Using winter as a weapon to freeze a nation into submission is cruel and unacceptable.

,” the post reads.

Maia Sandu also emphasized that Moldova stands by Ukraine.

Recall

Russia has 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 casualties.

Russia has lost 720,880 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Nov. 15.

This number includes 1,640 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,350 tanks, 19,021 armored fighting vehicles, 29,321 vehicles and fuel tanks, 20,556 artillery systems, 1,252 multiple launch rocket systems, 999 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 329 helicopters, 18,974 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Russia launches large-scale missile, drone attack on Ukraine, fire, casualties reported in KyivRussia 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

During the night attack, russia shelled DTEK's thermal power plants, seriously damaging equipment. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's facilities have been attacked more than 190 times.

DTEK reported that during the night attack, russia shelled the company's thermal power plants. The equipment was seriously damaged. UNN reports with reference to DTEK's statement.

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It is reported that DTEK thermal power plants were attacked during a massive terrorist attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by the enemy.

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties.

However, the attacks severely damaged the stations' equipment. After the shelling ended, the company's employees promptly began to repair the damage and restore the equipment.

DTEK added that this is the eighth massive attack on the company's energy facilities this year. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been shelled more than 190 times.

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russia launched a massive attack on electricity generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine. The transmission system operator has introduced emergency shutdowns, and rescuers and power engineers are working to eliminate the consequences.

Weather may have limited impact on the situation in the power system, the main threat is shelling – GalushchenkoNov 17 2024, 07:14 AM • 20303 views

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

At least one person was killed and six injured, including two children, in the city of Mykolaiv amid Russia’s mass drone and missile attack, regional governor Vitalii Kim reported on Nov. 17.

The attack damaged several private residences, a multi-story building, cars, a shopping center, and an infrastructure facility, according to the governor.

Multiple loud explosions were also reported in the capital Kyiv between 6:30 and 7:15 a.m. local time, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitshko said that as a result of falling drone debris, an apartment on the fourth floor of five-story residential building caught fire in the Pechersk neighborhood of the city. One person was hospitalized as a result of the attack, while one other person received medical treatment on-site.

Further explosions were also heard in the cities of Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

Multiple cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles were reportedly launched from the Black Sea, as well as Russia's Astrakhan Oblast and Krasnodar Krai, toward multiple regions.

Russia launches large-scale missile, drone attack on Ukraine, fire, casualties reported in KyivRussia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine overnight on Nov. 17.The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Russian troops attacked Mykolaiv with drones at around 04:40, hitting a residential sector. The strike killed a woman and injured six people, including two children.

On the night of November 17, a series of explosions were heard in Mykolaiv, and the city was attacked by attack drones. Residential buildings were damaged, and one person was killed. This was reported by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, UNN reports.

So far, we know about six victims. Unfortunately, one person has died. Our condolences to the family and friends,

– the statement said.

It is noted that there is damage in the residential sector. I will give more precise information about the damage later.

Recall

On the morning of November 17, Russian forces launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.

The Atesh partisan group sabotaged a key railway in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, disabling electrical equipment and causing disruptions in Russia's military supply chain, the group claimed on Nov. 16.

An Atesh operative burned a relay cabinet near the Russian-occupied city of Tokmak, the partisans said, publishing purported footage of the sabotage without specifying the date.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

According to the group, the sabotage occurred between two rail stations in occupied Tokmak.

"Russian forces are intensifying their offensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction. This makes sabotage operations a serious problem for them, complicating logistics and disrupting the regular supply of ammunition and fuel," the group said on Telegram.

"These interruptions gradually undermine the combat effectiveness of Russian troops, slow their offensive actions, and increase losses, ultimately reducing their chances of achieving their objectives," the group added.

In early October, Russian troops reportedly renewed their attack in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Kyiv warned of a potential Russian push in the southern region, just as Moscow's troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east.

Amid increased attacks in the region, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12 that the Russian army is deploying trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Atesh movement regularly commits sabotage attacks in both occupied areas of Ukraine and inside Russia itself.

On at least two different occasions, the saboteurs have previously claimed to attack rail lines insides Russia, targeting North Korean ammunition transporting throughout the country.

Russia producing thermobaric drones, capable of causing ‘terrifying’ civilian harm, AP reportsThermobaric warheads create a wave of high pressure and heat that is capable of penetrating thick walls, AP reported. The damage caused by thermobaric attack drones would cause damage that would be “simply terrifying” for civilian populations to endure, including collapsed lungs, crushed eyeballs, a…The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski has announced the possibility of locating the Ukrainian consulate in the building of the Russian consulate after its closure in Poznan. The decision is due to the growing number of Ukrainians in Poland and their consular needs.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that after the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Poznan, this building could become a Ukrainian consulate if Kyiv submits a request. This was reported by RFM24, according to UNN.

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Sikorski noted that if Ukraine applied to use the building, which will be freed from the Russians, to open its own consulate in the city, Warsaw would be favorable to this.

He explained that due to the rapid increase in the number of Ukrainians in Poland, there are currently not enough institutions in the country to meet their needs.

The lease agreement for this property expires at the end of this month. Now we are talking about more than ten days. The current network of Ukrainian consulates, given the unprecedented growth in the number of Ukrainian citizens in Poland, does not meet consular needs,

– said the Polish Foreign Minister.

He also emphasized that consulates deal with various practical matters. In particular, legal documents, births of children or deaths of people, etc.

Sikorski added that the closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan is a symbolic step that emphasizes Warsaw's position on the need to counter any potential threats from Russia, and is a demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

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Radoslaw Sikorski announced an important meeting in the Weimar Triangle Plus format next week in Warsaw. Representatives of Ukraine, France, Germany and other European countries are invited to the talks.

STV GROUP has provided EUR 765 thousand to Ukraine for the purchase of RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launchers. The symbolic check was handed over on November 14 at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic.

The Czech company STV GROUP has donated more than 700 thousand euros to Ukraine, which will be used to purchase anti-tank grenade launchers. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, according to UNN.

On November 14, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic hosted a symbolic check for RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launchers for the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the amount of EUR 765,000 (CZK 20 million) from STV GROUP,

– the statement said.

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It is noted that this was the result of an agreement between the Embassy and the leading Czech manufacturer of ammunition and military equipment STV GROUP.

The diplomatic mission emphasized that the RPG-7 is a weapon that has proven to be highly effective in combat conditions.

The transfer of this military aid is another example of solidarity and support from our Czech friends. I am convinced that these grenade launchers in the hands of our heroic military will play a significant role in the defense against the aggressor and protection of human lives,

– said Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych.

Rheinmetall to produce barrels for tanks and guns in the UK under new defense dealOct 23 2024, 01:38 AM • 19463 views

Russians in the occupied territories of the south are forcing local residents to join their army. The invaders put pressure on those detained for minor offenses and conscripts, promising not to send them to the front line.

In the temporarily occupied territories of the south, the invaders, in violation of international law, are agitating the local population to join their army. This is reported by the Center for National Resistance, according to UNN.

The occupiers offer to sign a contract for military service in the Russian army to all those detained for minor offenses, as well as to those who are called up for military service,

– the message says.

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It is noted that in order to implement the plan of this criminal “mobilization”, the Russians use methods of psychological pressure and threats to potential candidates. At the same time, the enemy promises not to send contractors from the temporarily occupied territories to the front line.

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In the temporarily occupied territories, the invaders offer unemployed Ukrainians to assemble drones for their army through employment centers.