A Russian drone hits a multi-story building in the Saltivsky district of Kharkiv. The number of victims of the attack increased to four.
In Kharkiv, as a result of a Russian drone attack on an apartment building, the number of victims has increased to four, Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Telegram, UNN reports .
The number of victims increased to four
– said Terekhov.
Previously
The mayor reportedthat an enemy UAV hit an apartment building in the Saltiv district of Kharkiv. There was no fire. It was immediately known about 2 victims.
North Korea has dispatched 10,000 troops to Russia, with most of them deployed in the western Kursk Oblast and taking part in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a press briefing on Nov. 12.
Washington is echoing earlier warnings from Kyiv that Pyongyang's troops have been deployed in the warzone in an unprecedented escalation of Russia's war against Ukraine.
"Today I can confirm that over 10,000 (North Korean) soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have moved to the far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces," spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
"Russian forces have trained the (North Korean) soldiers in artillery, in UAV and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for front-line operations."
According to Patel, the effectiveness of North Korean soldiers will "in large part be dictated by how well the Russians can integrate them into their military."
Russia is mustering a force of 50,000 soldiers, including North Korean troops, to launch a counter-offensive against a Ukrainian salient in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the New York Times reported on Nov. 10.
The new force comes as Russia saw its heaviest losses last month, and the North Korean troops could be replacing injured and killed Russian soldiers, according to some experts.
Clashes between the Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers are currently underway, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Nov. 5. North Korean troops have already suffered casualties, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Nov. 7, without specifying the number.
The President of Ukraine commented on the massive Russian attack. Zelensky thanked partners for their help with air defense and electronic warfare systems.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Russia's massive attack by emphasizing the importance of timely deliveries of anti-missile and defense systems, UNN reports .
Details
“This morning there was another combined Russian attack on our cities, and there was an effective response from our air defense. We shot down Russian missiles, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles that attacked Kyiv, as well as drones. In total, about 90 attack drones attacked Ukraine,” the President said on social media.
Russian Federation massively attacked Ukraine with 96 missiles and drones: two X-101s, two ballistic missiles and 37 drones were shot downNov 13 2024, 08:15 AM • 2109 views
“And it is important that our forces have the means to defend the country from Russian terror. I am grateful to each of the partners who help. Delivering anti-missiles for our air defense system on time, fulfilling agreements on defense systems, on the production and supply of electronic warfare means, without exaggeration, being a savior of people. Each such manifestation of the effectiveness of our air defense means saved lives and protected infrastructure. And the more results our soldiers achieve, the closer the end of the war will be. This is how peace is achieved through strength,” Zelensky commented on the night attack.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv overnight on Nov. 13, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported.
No information was immediately available on any damages or casualties.
Russia attacked the city both with ballistic and cruise missiles, according to Telegram monitoring channels. Klitschko reported explosions and active air defenses in the capital at around 7:20 a.m.
Less than an hour later, a drone has been detected approaching the city, the mayor said.
The Kyiv City Military Administration said that power shortages may be introduced as a preventative measure as Russia continues to attack energy infrastructure ahead of the upcoming winter months.
The capital has been bracing for intensified missile strikes with the coming winter. Russia previously launched a missile strike on Kyiv on Nov. 8 for the first time since early October.
In turn, Kyiv has been subjected to drone attacks on a regular basis in the past two months. Experts have previously told the Kyiv Independent this could be a tactic to wear down air defenses ahead of a mass-missile strike targeting the country's already battered civilian energy infrastructure.
In Kyiv, a series of explosions caused fires and smoke in several districts of the city. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the threat of drone attacks remains in other regions of Ukraine.
Today, after a series of explosions in Kyiv, a fire broke out in several parts of the city, causing smoke to rise. This is reported by local media, UNN reports.
Details
According to preliminary data, the city was hit by ballistic missiles.
Rescue operations are currently underway in Kyiv.
At the same time, the threat of attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles remains in other regions of Ukraine.
As of now, there is no official information about the events, but residents are urged to remain cautious and be prepared for possible air raids.
Recall
A missile threat was detected in the capital. Therefore, air defense forces were deployed in Kyiv.
Air defense in Kyiv: missile threatNov 13 2024, 05:25 AM • 8757 views
The first Ukrainian citizens have signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 12.
The legion was unveiled in July as a volunteer military unit made up of Ukrainian men living in Poland and trained by the Polish Armed Forces. The first volunteer recruitment center was opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in the eastern Polish city of Lublin.
The unit is part of an effort to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's military as the all-out war with Russia continues into its third year.
After signing the contracts, the volunteers went to a Polish Armed Forces military training ground to undergo 35-day basic training. Upon completing the training, the servicemen can continue training in their chosen specialties at European NATO bases.
The training will be conducted under the guidance of Polish instructors using modern weapons. Commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with combat experience will also participate in the exercises, according to the ministry.
As of Nov. 12, the Legion's recruitment center had received about 700 applications from Ukrainians around Europe to join the military, the statement read.
The legion will allow Ukrainians to join the fight while being able to return to Poland after completing their service. Under martial law instituted in 2022 after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine without permission.
The U.N. estimates that 6.7 million Ukrainians were driven abroad as a result of Russia's all-out invasion. This is in addition to a sizeable diaspora living in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere since before 2022.
Over the past day, the occupiers fired 67 times at the border areas of Sumy region, and 124 explosions were recorded. The attacks were carried out using artillery, mortars, FPV drones and UAVs.
Enemy troops fired 67 times at the border areas and settlements of Sumy region, 124 explosions were recorded. This was reported by AFP, UNN reports.
Details
In the Krasnopilska community, the dropping of an explosive device from a UAV (7 explosions), artillery shelling (4 explosions) and mortar shelling (3 explosions) were recorded. In the Esman community, Russians dropped 17 mines, as well as carried out attacks with FPV drones (5 explosions), artillery shelling (4 explosions) and dropping of explosive ordnance from a UAV (1 explosion).
The Yunakivska community was subjected to launches of unmanned aerial vehicles (11 explosions) and artillery shelling (8 explosions). The enemy fired mortars (20 explosions), artillery (2 explosions) and FPV drones (2 explosions) at Bilopilska community. In addition, an explosive device was dropped from a UAV (2 explosions).
An FPV drone strike was recorded in Velykopysarivska community (1 explosion), and FPV drone strikes were recorded in Khutir-Mykhailivska community (6 explosions). In Khotynska community, the enemy fired artillery (10 explosions), mortars (6 explosions) and dropped explosives from a UAV (1 explosion).
Shalyhyne community also suffered from FPV drone strikes (2 explosions), UAV explosive ordnance (6 explosions) and artillery shelling (1 explosion). There were two explosions from FPV drones in Seredyna Budska community.
An explosion occurs in Sumy after a warning of an enemy missileNov 12 2024, 09:13 PM • 12055 views
The Russian army is deploying trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12.
A day before, Voloshyn said that a new Russian assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day."
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.
According to Voloshyn, Russia is preparing to intensify its offensive toward the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
This move will allow the Russian military to gain control of the logistics routes from Zaporizhzhia to eastern Ukraine, the spokesperson added.
Another Russian target in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is the Hulyaipole sector, where "important" logistics routes for the Russian military are located, he said. Besides, Russian troops intensified their assault actions towards the village of Vremivka, trying to break through Ukrainian defensive positions near the settlements of Rivnopillia and Velyka Novosilka, according to Voloshyn.
Voloshyn said in October that Russian forces were massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The area was the main axis of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but achieved no major results.
Russian troops have intensified attacks against Zaporizhzhia, targeting its civilian infrastructure with guided aerial bombs.
Six Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from the Russian airfield in Olenegorsk. The planes will reach the launch area at approximately 5:00.
Six Tu-95MS strategic bombers have taken off from the Russian airfield in Olenegorsk. This is reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, UNN reports.
Details
The planes are likely to reach the launch line around 5:00.
The Armed Forces urge Ukrainians to pay close attention to air raid warnings and not to ignore them, as the situation can change quickly.
Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, local official claims
Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says
Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says
Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces
British PM Starmer to press Biden to release $20 billion aid for Ukraine before Trump takes office, Telegraph reports
A Ukrainian drone struck an oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, igniting one silo, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on his Telegram channel on Nov. 12.
"Ten fire crews worked at the scene and quickly extinguished the fire," Gladkov said, adding there were no reports of casualties.
The oil depot is located near the city of Stary Oskol, he added.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, whose profits fuel Moscow's war efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's concerted campaign to get permission to use Western-supplied weapons like the U.S-made ATACMs and the U.K's Storm Shadows to strike deep inside Russia has, to date, failed.
However, drones can potentially have an outsized impact when they hit highly flammable and less protected targets, such as ethanol distilleries or fuel depots.
Ukraine in September established the Unmanned Systems Forces, a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drone warfare.
Kyiv said it aims to produce 1 million drones this year, in addition to the thousands pledged by foreign partners.
Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says
The Russian army is deploying trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12.
A day before, Voloshyn said that a new Russian assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day."
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.
According to Voloshyn, Russia is preparing to intensify its offensive toward the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
This move will allow the Russian military to gain control of the logistics routes from Zaporizhzhia to eastern Ukraine, the spokesperson added.
Another Russian target in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is the Hulyaipole sector, where "important" logistics routes for the Russian military are located, he said. Besides, Russian troops intensified their assault actions towards the village of Vremivka, trying to break through Ukrainian defensive positions near the settlements of Rivnopillia and Velyka Novosilka, according to Voloshyn.
Voloshyn said in October that Russian forces were massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The area was the main axis of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but achieved no major results.
Russian troops have intensified attacks against Zaporizhzhia, targeting its civilian infrastructure with guided aerial bombs.
Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says
Ukraine's budget for 2025 envisages Hr 55 billion ($1.3 billion) for weapons production, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said on Nov. 12.
Ukraine began actively developing its defense production after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Some Hr 54.55 billion ($1.3 billion) will be directly allocated for the development and implementation of new technologies, and the expansion of defense production capacity, according to Smetanin.
The minister added that the 2025 figure is almost Hr 3.5 billion ($84.4 million) more than in 2024.
Another 500 million will be allocated to an affordable loans program for defense companies. This program, created in 2024, allows manufacturers to take out loans at 5% per annum. The state budget will cover the rest of the interest, according to the minister's statement.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the draft state budget for 2025 on Sept. 13. The state expects to get Hr 2 trillion ($48.2 billion) in revenues, while expenditures are planned at Hr 3.6 trillion ($86.8 billion).
The draft state budget for 2025 envisages spending Hr 2.2 trillion ($53 billion) on Ukraine's defense, which is 26.3% of the country's projected gross domestic product (GDP).
Ukraine's proposed 2025 budget passed its first reading in parliament on Oct. 31. The budget law will go through additional rounds of consideration before lawmakers hold a final vote, expected by Dec. 1.
Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces
The first Ukrainian citizens have signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 12.
The legion was unveiled in July as a volunteer military unit made up of Ukrainian men living in Polandand trained by the Polish Armed Forces. The first volunteer recruitment center was opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in the eastern Polish city of Lublin.
The unit is part of an effort to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's military as the all-out war with Russia continues into its third year.
After signing the contracts, the volunteers went to a Polish Armed Forces military training ground to undergo 35-day basic training. Upon completing the training, the servicemen can continue training in their chosen specialties at European NATO bases.
The training will be conducted under the guidance of Polish instructors using modern weapons. Commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with combat experience will also participate in the exercises, according to the ministry.
As of Nov. 12, the Legion's recruitment center had received about 700 applications from Ukrainians around Europe to join the military, the statement read.
The legion will allow Ukrainians to join the fight while being able to return to Poland after completing their service. Under martial law instituted in 2022 after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine without permission.
The U.N. estimates that 6.7 million Ukrainians were driven abroad as a result of Russia's all-out invasion. This is in addition to a sizeable diaspora living in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere since before 2022.
British PM to press Biden to release $20 billion aid for Ukraine before Trump takes office, Telegraph reports
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to press outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden to release a $20 billion loan for Ukraine during next week's G20 summit in Brazil, the Telegraph reported on Nov. 12.
The loan is part of the Group of Seven (G7) has reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with approximately $50 billion in loans backed by the revenue from foreign Russian assets, the G7 announced on Oct. 25.
The United States will contribute the bulk of the loan with $20 billion in assistance. The U.S. is closely followed by European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, with a combined $19.4 billion.
The remaining approximately $10 billion will be divvied up with Canada providing $3.7 billion, Japan providing $3.07 billion, and the U.K. providing $2.9 billion in loan funding.
This would be the latest part of European power's attempt to persuade Biden to step up help to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office in January, including allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia's territory with Western-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.
The U.K. prime minister will also press for a one-on-one discussion with Biden during the G20 summit, according to the Telegraph.
Starmer also met and released a joint statement on Nov. 11. with French President Emmanuel Macron, "stressing their determination to support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine."
The two leaders will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk soon as the trio attempts to "Trump-proof" the Western bloc's aid to Ukraine in case the incoming U.S. president decides to radically cut aid for Ukraine.
Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war "in 24 hours," and though he hasn't yet elaborated a plan, it is largely expected to involve Ukraine ceding land to Russia.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio is expected to become the US next chief diplomat, who said on air shortly after Trump's victory that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion."
He also voted against the U.S' $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in April 2024.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
