Category: War in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Blinken announced that the aid would be adapted to Ukraine's needs on the battlefield. The United States is ready to use every dollar of the $61 billion package and expects increased support from its allies.

The United States and its partners are meeting many of the needs outlined in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "victory plan," and this was the subject of discussions with allies and partners on November 13 at NATO headquarters. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this during a visit to Brussels, answering a question about the possibility of easing restrictions on long-range weapons strikes deep into Russia, UNN reports citing Voice of America.

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"The criterion for our assistance to Ukraine, starting in February 2022 and continuing until today, is to make sure that we adapt to Ukraine's needs as the battlefield changes, as what Russia is doing changes, where the front is, how the war is going, how the aggression is going. I am convinced that we will continue to adapt and adjust (the aid – ed.) as needed," Blinken said.

The U.S. Secretary of State did not specifically answer questions about long-range weapons, but assured that the current administration is committed to further assistance to Ukraine.

"The President [Biden] is committed to making sure that we put every dollar at our disposal, including the $61 billion package… And we are on our way to doing that. So the withdrawals that we can make from our military equipment will happen, and that's how the funds will move forward. This should ensure that Ukraine continues to get what it needs from us," Blinken emphasized.

The US Secretary of State emphasized that support from allies and partners is equally important.

"I am convinced, based on the conversations we have today and almost every day, that this support will continue, and not only that, I expect it to grow," Blinken summarized.

The U.S. Secretary of State is in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine in meetings with his NATO and EU counterparts.

After meeting with NATO Secretary General Blinken met with Sibiga one-on-one in Brussels: what statements the US Secretary of State has already madeNov 13 2024, 12:35 PM • 4289 views

In particular, at a meeting with Rutte, he said that the involvement of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine requires a tough response and will be met with one.

"Today we had a very productive discussion about our continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. In addition, [there was a conversation] about this additional element of the DPRK, North Korean forces engaged in war and now literally in combat, which requires and will receive a tough response," Blinken said.

The car bombing that killed Russian Navy officer Valery Trankovsky in occupied Sevastopol on Nov. 13 was an operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.

The statement came shortly after Russian authorities in occupied Crimea reported on a military service member dying following the blast.

Trankovsky was chief of staff of the 41st Missile Boat Brigade and a "war criminal who has ordered cruise missile launches from the Black Sea against civilian sites in Ukraine," the source said.

The officer was allegedly responsible for the Kalibr missile strike against the city of Vinnytsia in July 2022 that killed 29 people and injured over 200 more. He also oversaw strikes against Odesa and other cities, leaving many civilians dead, the source said.

According to Russian Telegram channels, Trankovsky held the rank of captain of 1st class.

Russian media outlet Mash claims that Trankovsky had been under surveillance for roughly a week and that an improvised explosive device (IED) was placed under the driver's side of his car and allegedly detonated remotely.

Several Russian officers involved in the war against Ukraine have been found killed in Russia or Russian-occupied territories throughout the full-scale war. Most recently, Major Dmitry Pervukha was killed in the center of Russian-occupied Luhansk after his car exploded on Oct. 18.

Pervukha was allegedly involved in war crimes against Ukraine. He served in the 273rd Intelligence Center of the Russian Armed Forces.

Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk OblastOver the past week, Russia had been gathering forces in what appears to be preparations for a decisive push in the country’s Kursk Oblast. “The situation is changing every day. Not long ago, we were on the offensive, and now we are on the defensive,” a 35-year-old artilleryman with theThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

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.

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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.

Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk OblastOver the past week, Russia had been gathering forces in what appears to be preparations for a decisive push in the country’s Kursk Oblast. “The situation is changing every day. Not long ago, we were on the offensive, and now we are on the defensive,” a 35-year-old artilleryman with theThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

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 .

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“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.

Russian training exercise sparks mass air strike alert across UkraineIn Kyiv and cities across Ukraine, sirens sounded, people headed to shelters, and emergency blackouts were introduced.The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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.

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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.

Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective?Kyiv and Warsaw have agreed to form and jointly train a new army brigade on Polish soil, betting the initiative could help recruit some of the scores of Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries. The so-called Ukrainian Legion, a fresh initiative to boost Ukraine’s military manpowerThe Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

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.

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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.

Russia has reportedly made gains in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Should Ukraine expect a broader offensive?Fears of a larger Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast are growing as Russian forces have reportedly made progress along the border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and intensified air strikes on the regional capital. “If they achieve a breakthrough, Russia will be able to fire at logis…The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova