Category: War in Ukraine

Key developments on Nov. 25:

• Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in western Russia's Kaluga Oblast, source says
• Ukraine can strike Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms
• Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens
• Ukraine's 3rd Brigade says it liberated Kharkiv Oblast village, took POWs
• Ukraine developing guided aerial bombs domestically, Chief of Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff says

Drones operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) hit an oil depot in the western Russian city of Kaluga, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 25.

The Kaluganefteprodukt oil facility, which is used to support Russian aggression against Ukraine, was struck by drones at 0:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, leading to a fire, the source claimed.

The successful attack was later confirmed by the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Kaluga, a city of roughly 340,000 people, lies approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.

Videos shared on local Telegram channels showed a fire and active air defenses in the city.

Kaluga Oblast Governor Vladislav Shapsha claimed that eight drones were shot down overnight, resulting in a fire at an industrial facility that was later extinguished.

The official did not provide further details on possible damage and said there had been no casualties.

According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, drones also targeted Kaluga's Taifun (Typhoon) factory, which produces radio-electronic equipment, missile and aviation components, and other military supplies.

It remains unclear whether the Taifun factory suffered damage, as the target was not mentioned by the HUR source.

Ukrainian forces also struck Russian targets in the Bryansk and Kursk oblasts overnight on Nov. 25, the General Staff reported.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.

Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in western Russia’s Kaluga Oblast, source saysThe Kaluganefteprodukt oil facility, which is used to support Russian aggression in Ukraine, was struck by the drones at 0:30 on Nov. 25, leading to a series of blasts and a fire, the source claimed.The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Ukraine can hit targets in Russia with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms

Ukraine used U.S.-supplied longe-range ATACMS missile to strike targets inside Russia, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told journalists on Nov. 25.

The confirmation by Washington came days after reports that Kyiv launched ATACMS missiles at a military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast. The strikes with Western-made missiles were also reported in Kursk Oblast.

"Right now, they (Ukrainian soldiers) have the ability to use ATACMS to defend themselves in an immediate-need basis. Understandably, that's taken place in and around Kursk Oblast," Kirby said.

"We did change the guidance and gave them guidance that they can use them to strike these particular types of targets."

ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for UkraineThe Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Nov. 19 that Ukraine had launched the U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. Hours prior, Ukraine struck a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, a two-hour drive from the Ukrainian-controlled part of Russia. President Joe…The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens

Russia launched an attack against the central part of Kharkiv on the morning of Nov. 25, injuring at least 23 people, officials reported.

Thirteen people have been hospitalized, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote on his Telegram channel.

The victims were at work or walking down the street, Spartak Borysenko, head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, told the Suspilne broadcaster.

The Russian military likely struck a densely populated residential area in central Kharkiv with an S-400 missile, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on his Telegram channel.

"(The missile) landed in a yard surrounded by multi-story buildings. Buildings and cars caught fire," he wrote. According to Borysenko, at least five cars were damaged, while the number of damaged buildings is still being determined.

Later in a day, Russia also launched a missile attack against downtown Odesa, injuring at least 11 people, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.

Ukraine's 3rd Brigade liberated Kharkiv Oblast village, took POWs

Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade said on Nov. 25 that it pushed Russian troops out of the Kopanky village in Kharkiv Oblast, taking several prisoners of war (POW) from Russia’s First Tank Army.

Russian forces were reportedly pushed out after they attempted to break into Kopanky, a village in eastern Kharkiv Oblast close to the administrative border with Luhansk Oblast.

The settlement lies around 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Kupiansk, a key logistics hub under increasing pressure from Russian troops.

In a video published by the unit, seven POWs are seen in a basement-like room during a filmed interrogation. According to the unit, the POWs' positions came under artillery fire from the Russian military after their capture.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the unit’s claims or where the video was recorded.

Ukraine ‘sees existing threats’ from Russia in Zaporizhzhia sector, Zelensky saysUkraine is tracking threats from Russian troops in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 25 following a report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

Ukraine developing guided aerial bombs domestically, military says

Ukraine is actively working on developing its own guided aerial bombs, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Anatolii Barhylevych reported on Nov. 24.

"We are actively working on it. I think we will achieve such success," he said on national television.

According to Barhylevych, Russia holds the largest stockpile of aerial bombs inherited from the Soviet Union.

Guided aerial bombs are precision-guided munitions that have a shorter range than missiles but are far cheaper to produce.

When launched from aircraft within Russian territory or Russian-occupied territories, they are beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defense.

Drone coalition to gather $1.8 billion by end of 2024, defense minister saysAn allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January to bolster Ukraine’s arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which became a crucial capability on the battlefield. Nearly 20 countries joined the coalition as of late November.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

Enemy troops advanced near Novomlynsk, Dalne, Kostiantynopol, Rozdolne, Petrivka and Kurakhove.

The occupying forces have advanced in several areas of the front. This is reported by DeepState, according to UNN.

Details

According to the information, this enemy advance was near Novomlynsk, Dalne, Kostiantynopol, Rozdolne, Petrivka and Kurakhove.

Recall

According to the General Staff, the enemy managed to launch 3 missile strikes, 47 air strikes, dropped 63 guided bombs and used 647 kamikaze drones. In addition, 3,360 attacks on Ukrainian positions and civilian settlements were recorded.

The enemy is advancing in the east: which settlements are under threat – DeepStateNov 20 2024, 11:53 PM • 18464 views

The foreign ministers of Group of Seven (G7) countries are expected to agree to increase diplomatic pressure on China over the country's support for Russia's 'war machine' in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 25, citing an early draft of a communique seen by the publication.

The draft communique, which vows to introduce "appropriate measures consistent with our legal systems, against actors in China and in other third countries," is still in development as G7 foreign ministers meet in Italy on Nov. 25-26, Bloomberg reported.

If adopted, the language of the communique would mark an escalation among G7 allies, with an April communique simply calling for China to "ensure" that it stops supporting Russia with dual-use goods.

The reported draft communique comes as G7 allies attempt to increase pressure, as well as support for Ukraine, ahead of the January inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump — who has repeatedly criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine and vowed to get the U.S. "out" of the war as soon as possible. The draft communique is also expected to reaffirm the G7's "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine.

The escalatory tone comes as Western allies have reportedly accused China of militarily supporting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Reuters reported on Sept. 25, citing European intelligence sources, that Russia has secretly established a development and production program in China for attack drones to be used in the war.

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell reportedly informed European nations of "convincing" evidence of Chinese production "of lethal aid" to Russia, the German media outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Nov. 15, citing three EU officials.

According to the draft communique, G7 allies will also "continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy, metals and other commodities through the effective implementation of existing measures and further actions against (Russia's) ‘shadow fleet’" — referring to Moscow’s efforts to evade sanctions on the $60-per-barrel oil price cap imposed two years ago.

Earlier on Nov. 25, the United Kingdom sanctioned 30 oil tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet" that carried billions of dollars worth of oil and oil products last year.

Draft communiques are often subject to revision before a final draft is approved.

China has repeatedly claimed to have positioned itself as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, but has simultaneously deepened economic ties with Moscow and backed the country against Western sanctions.

Earlier in July, NATO's then-Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that allies agreed that Beijing is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

UK targets 30 tankers in its largest sanctions package against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’The United Kingdom sanctioned 30 oil tankers of Russia’s “shadow fleet” that carried billions of dollars worth of oil and oil products last year, the government said on Nov. 25.The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori

Air defense has been activated in Kyiv due to a drone attack. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the militants are entering the city from different directions.

Air defense is working in the capital. This was announced by Mayor Vitali Klitschko, UNN reports.

The UAV attack on the capital continues. Air defense forces are operating in different parts of the city. Chechens enter the capital from different directions

– said the mayor.

Recall

Earlier, it was reported that explosions had occurred in Kyiv.

Explosions are heard in KyivNov 25 2024, 10:43 PM • 696 views

A record 38 Russian Shahed-type attack drones entered Belarusian territory overnight on Nov. 24-25, with at least one of the drones reportedly shot down by the Belarusian Air Force, the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported.

The airspace intrusions, which have increased in recent months, comes as Russia continues to intensify its drone attacks against Ukrainian cities. Russia launched a total of 145 drones at Ukrainian targets overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 71 of the attack drones, Ukraine's Air Force said.

The incident, marking the largest Russian drone incursion into Belarusian airspace since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marks one of the rare occasions when a Belarusian aircraft has downed a drone entering its airspace. Belarus' military confirmed downing a Russian drone over its territory for the first time on Sept. 5.

According to Belarusian Hajun, the Belarusian Air Force scrambled fighter jets four times over the past 24 hours to counter the attack drones. The monitoring group reported that the majority of the attack drones passed along Belarus' southern border with Ukraine, particularly in Homel Oblast.

Minsk has never publicly raised objections to Moscow – its key ally – over the reported drone incidents.

Despite not being directly involved in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Belarus hosts Russian troops and missiles on its territory.

The attacks come as Russia continues to increase its attacks against civilian targets, amid an expected harsh winter plagued by energy shortages.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 2 that Russia launched over 2,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine in October, with the Air Force previously reporting that Russia launched at least 4,300 Shahed-type attack drones and similar UAVs imitating Shaheds against Ukraine between August and October 2024.

Later in the day on Nov. 25, a Russian drone attacked the village of Solonchaky in Mykolaiv Oblast while humanitarian aid was being distributed there, injuring five people with both aid workers and residents among the victims.

Drone coalition to gather $1.8 billion by end of 2024, defense minister saysAn allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January to bolster Ukraine’s arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which became a crucial capability on the battlefield. Nearly 20 countries joined the coalition as of late November.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

The Ukrainian Defense Minister discussed the key needs of the Armed Forces with his colleagues from Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Poland. Umerov emphasized the need for faster and more effective support from partners.

Umerov said that support for allies should be faster and more effective. This is reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, UNN reports.

Details

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed the key needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces during a videoconference with the defense ministers of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Poland. An important emphasis was placed on the need for more prompt and effective support from international partners.

Umerov emphasized that in order to achieve victory, Ukraine must receive more weapons, ammunition and technical assistance from its allies. One of the priorities is to strengthen air defense, given the constant threat from a terrorist country that continues to attack Ukraine's critical infrastructure.

The issue of artillery ammunition was also raised, as the 1 million shells provided by our partners are not enough to achieve the necessary parity with the enemy. In this regard, Umerov emphasized the need for additional supplies for effective combat.

Ukraine actively cooperates with international partners in the defense industry. The key areas for development include the production of ammunition, armored vehicles, air defense systems and artillery systems in Ukraine, as well as technology transfer for the development of domestic defense capabilities.

Umerov paid special attention to the need to audit the assistance provided to Ukraine over the past three years to identify the most effective support models and expand them in the future. Ukraine is also ready for new initiatives that will help meet the needs of the Armed Forces in 2025.

Umerov on using Storm Shadow: let's not go into detailsNov 21 2024, 06:26 AM • 17713 views

The international drone coalition is planning to gather 1.8 billion euros ($1.8 billion) by the end of 2024 to support Ukraine, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Nov. 25.

"This decision will allow Ukraine to strengthen its technological advantage on the battlefield and destroy the enemy more effectively," Umerov said.

An allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January to bolster Ukraine's arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which became a crucial capability on the battlefield. Nearly 20 countries joined the coalition as of late November.

Riga will allocate 20 million euros ($21 million) this year for the effort. Umerov did not specify how much money other countries will allocate to the drone coalition.

Ukraine is also working to scale up domestic production, aiming to produce at least 1 million drones in 2024. Kyiv employs long-range drones to strike deep into Russian territory, targeting military infrastructure such as airfields and logistics, as well as oil refineries and depots.

Better late than never: Israeli companies finally reach out to Ukraine to help fight Iranian dronesEditor’s note: This article was originally published in the Israeli investigative outlet Shomrim. The Kyiv Independent is republishing it with permission. After Israeli officials earlier ignored Ukrainian warnings and offers to help counter the threat of Iranian drones, the tides appear to be turni…The Kyiv IndependentMilan Czerny

US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby officially recognized the lifting of restrictions on Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with ATACMS missiles. Biden approved Ukraine's use of these missiles for attacks in Russia, despite Moscow's threats.

The White House has officially recognized the lifting of restrictions on the Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes on Russian territory with ATACMS missiles. This was stated by the coordinator of the White House National Security Council John Kirby, reports UNN.

“Right now, they have the ability to use ATACMS for self-defense, in case of emergency. And right now… this is what is happening in and around Kursk and the Kursk region,” Kirby said at the briefing.

ATACMS destroyed Russian air defense system in Kursk region: there are casualtiesNov 25 2024, 11:58 AM • 13942 views

Recall

Biden endorsed Ukraine's use of ATACMS, long-range missiles supplied by Washington, for such attacks in Russia. Moscow described their potential use as an escalation that would make Washington a direct combatant in the war and lead to Russian retaliation.

Ukraine is tracking threats from Russian troops in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 25 following a report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"We see the existing threats," Zelensky said.

In early October, Russian troops reportedly renewed their attack in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Kyiv warned of a potential Russian push in the southern region, saying Moscow was deploying trained assault groups to front-line positions in mid-November.

Russia is also carrying out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, with attempts to break through Ukraine's defenses in Donetsk Oblast toward the towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, attempting to encircle the latter one.

The president described the situation near the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast as "the most difficult."

"We are working to strengthen our positions," he added.

According to the president, Ukrainian soldiers also continue to hold positions in Kursk Oblast amid an ongoing nearly four-months-long incursion.

Last week, Reuters reported that Kyiv had lost over 40% of captured territory in the Russian region due to Moscow's counterattacks. To aid Moscow's war effort, North Korea has dispatched 10,000 troops to Russia, with most of them deployed in Kursk Oblast.

"Our task is to destroy the Russian potential in the border area as much as possible," Zelensky said.

Opinion: Nuclear escalation fears can’t override Ukraine’s right to defend itselfFollowing Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York, publicly appealed to those who had voted for both her and Trump. She wanted to know what motivated such an apparently inconsistent choice, and the predominant…The Kyiv IndependentSlavoj Žižek

The meeting discussed the protection of energy infrastructure and its restoration after shelling. They considered air defense, arms contracting, and cooperation with European partners on electricity imports.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Security Council – they talked about energy and its protection, as well as covering critical infrastructure facilities from the sky, UNN reports.

"I held a meeting on energy and its protection. There were reports from the Ministry of Energy, Naftogaz and all key industry players. We talked about the progress of recovery after the Russian shelling on November 17 and further protection of all critical facilities. Gas infrastructure and generation: nuclear, hydro, thermal, etc. We also talked about our partnership with European countries to increase opportunities for electricity imports, in particular for business," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, according to him, there was a report by the Air Force on covering critical infrastructure facilities from the sky.

"We are taking the most effective experience of echeloning air defense assets and extending it to other regions," Zelensky said.

He added that in addition to the energy sector, they also heard a report from the Ministry of Defense on contracting and advances for Ukrainian manufacturers of weapons, shells, missiles, drones, the results for 2024 and planning for 2025.

Aviation will take an active part: Zelensky on the protection of energy infrastructureOct 15 2024, 02:05 PM • 41761 view