Summary of the Day:
Ukrainian forces conducted significant drone strikes against Russian targets. They attacked the Lipetsk-2 Air Base near Lipetsk City and the Sverdlov defense plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The strikes reportedly caused fires and explosions at both locations, targeting key Russian military and industrial assets.
Moldova held a presidential election and EU referendum. Both met the required voter turnout to be valid, with President Maia Sandu seeking re-election and the referendum aiming to make EU membership a constitutional objective. Results are pending, but the election saw about 51% participation and the referendum 42.44%. Despite this progress towards European integration, concerns remain about Russian efforts to undermine Moldova’s EU accession.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces recently advanced north of Sudzha, while Russian troops made marginal gains near Toretsk and Selydove. These developments indicate ongoing territorial contests in multiple areas along the front lines.
In Moscow, former Yukos Oil Company executive Mikhail Rogachev was found dead after reportedly falling from a window. While Russian sources suggest suicide, citing a note and alleged late-stage cancer, an insider source contested these claims, adding uncertainty to the circumstances of his death.
Picture of the Day:
People walk past posters depicting portraits of Ukrainian servicemembers of the Azov Brigade and other units, who were killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at an open-air exhibition in Kyiv. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Moldova held its presidential election and EU referendum, both meeting the required 33.33% voter turnout to be valid. Incumbent President Maia Sandu is seeking re-election, leading with 42% of the vote in the first round, with a potential runoff set for November 3. The referendum aims to make EU membership a constitutional objective, with preliminary results showing “yes” votes slightly ahead. Despite progress towards European integration, experts anticipate continued Russian efforts to undermine Moldova’s EU accession and democratic stability.
Moldovan authorities reported various attempts to influence the election, including 113 electoral violations within Moldova and alleged pro-Russian manipulation in Russia and Romania. The Wagner Group reportedly trained about 100 pro-Russian Moldovans in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on protest tactics and weapons use, while over 300 Moldovans received similar training near Moscow. These activities suggest potential efforts to destabilize Moldova and challenge the election results. The election occurs amid growing tensions between Moldova and Russia, particularly concerning the breakaway region of Transnistria, with claims that Moscow spent millions to influence the outcome.
A large pro-EU rally was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, ahead of the October 26 parliamentary elections, with tens of thousands of protesters, including President Salome Zourabichvili, gathering to support Georgia’s EU accession. Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, but concerns about its democracy have grown due to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s actions, including passing a controversial foreign agents law and improving relations with Russia. The party’s leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has made recent statements regarding Russia, further complicating matters. These developments have raised questions about Georgia’s EU candidacy and prompted Western sanctions on some Georgian officials. Meanwhile, Russia has expanded visa-free entry for certain Georgian citizens, adding another layer of complexity to the country’s political landscape.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Russian forces are facing criticism for inefficient military tactics. A former Storm-Z instructor reported that specialists, including drone operators, are being misused in assault operations. This approach is depleting valuable resources. Additionally, new personnel are not receiving adequate training in crucial areas like first aid and unit coordination, leading to unnecessary losses.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian forces have made recent advances north of Sudzha in Kursk Oblast. Geolocated footage shows Ukrainian troops moving east of Cherkasskoye Porechnoye. Russian sources claim their forces attacked near Malaya Loknya and Plekhovo, while Ukrainian forces reportedly attacked near Kruglenkoye and Leonidovo. There were no reported ground attacks in Glushkovsky Raion.
Ukrainian forces launched drone strikes on two Russian targets: the Lipetsk-2 Air Base near Lipetsk City and the Sverdlov defense plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The Lipetsk-2 airfield, located over 400 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, houses various fighter aircraft and was targeted for its ammunition depots and fuel storage. Strikes reportedly caused fires and explosions at the base. The Sverdlov plant, situated 900 kilometers inside Russia, is a major producer of explosives, artillery shells, and ammunition components for the war effort. It is under U.S. and EU sanctions. The attack on the plant also resulted in explosions, with Russian officials reporting minor injuries.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued their offensive operations northeast of Kharkiv City focusing on areas near Vovchansk and Starytsya. However, despite these ongoing efforts, there were no confirmed advances by Russian troops in this region.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces reportedly made advances near Kupyansk, particularly in Kruhlyakivka, though these claims are unconfirmed. They conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, including areas north and east of Kupyansk, northwest of Svatove and Kreminna, and south of Kreminna. Russian sources reported mechanized assaults on Kruhlyakivka and airstrikes on Ukrainian river crossings.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
There were no reported Russian offensive operations in the Siversk direction.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued their offensive near Chasiv Yar with no confirmed frontline changes. They allegedly advanced in eastern Chasiv Yar’s Zhovtnevyi Microraion and south of the town, though these claims are unverified. Ukrainian officials reported Russian soldiers attempting to cross the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal in civilian clothes, potentially constituting a war crime. Attacks continued near Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Andriivka.
Toretsk
Russian forces made recent advances near Toretsk, as confirmed by footage showing their progress northeast of Nelipivka and along Druzhby Street in central Toretsk. Claims of further advances south of Toretsk, including near Niu York, remain unconfirmed. Offensive operations continued around Oleksandro-Shultyne, Toretsk, and Shcherbynivka.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces made slight advances southeast of Pokrovsk, particularly on the northeastern outskirts of Selydove. They reportedly attacked Selydove from multiple directions and claimed advances near Vyshneve, Vozdvyzhenka, and Hirnyk, though these claims are unconfirmed. Assaults continued in numerous settlements east and southeast of Pokrovsk, including Vozdvyzhenka, Promin, Myrolyubivka, Novotoretske, Sukhyi Yar, Mykhailivka, Novodmytrivka, Zhelanne Druhe, and Zoryane. Russian forces allegedly repelled a Ukrainian counterattack near Tsukuryne.
West of Donetsk City
Russian forces continued attacks east of Kurakhove with no confirmed frontline changes. They claimed advances in and south of Maksymilyanivka, but these remain unverified. Assaults persisted near Maksymilyanivka and Kurakhove.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces continued attacks near Vuhledar with no confirmed frontline changes. They claimed advances near Katerynivka, Antonivka, and Bohoyavlenka, and a 4.5km push towards Novoukrainka, but these remain unverified. Assaults continued in these areas and near Yelyzavetivka and Vodyane.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
Russian and Ukrainian sources reported no ground activity in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.
Zaporizhia Line
Russian forces continued attacks near Robotyne and Mala Tokmachka with no confirmed changes to the frontline.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked in eastern Kherson Oblast but made no confirmed advances.
Ukraine News
Russia launched a widespread drone and missile attack on Ukraine. Ukrainian forces reportedly intercepted 31 out of 49 drones across multiple regions. Two ballistic missiles struck Kryvyi Rih, damaging infrastructure. Kyiv faced several drone waves, with about 10 downed. Kharkiv City and surrounding areas were hit by glide bombs. Zaporizhzhia City endured airstrikes and glide bomb attacks, including one on a supermarket.
Since the start of 2024, Russia has launched over 6,000 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine, intensifying attacks in recent weeks. On August 26, Russia conducted its largest assault, using 127 missiles and 109 drones, targeting civilian and energy facilities including the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. Ukraine’s President Zelensky has called for increased pressure on Russia’s drone production capabilities and criticized delays in providing additional defense systems. While initially sourcing drones from Iran, Russia has reportedly begun domestic production of these weapons.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 0 INJURIES: 30
A Russian attack on Kharkiv injured 13 civilians, including seven women and five men. The strike, using KAB-250 guided aerial bombs, targeted three districts of the city. It damaged various structures and caused power outages. Police chief Volodymyr Tymoshko described the attack as an act of terrorism against the civilian population, noting its chaotic nature.
A Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, injured 17 people, with eight hospitalized. The attack, using ballistic missiles, damaged civilian sites including buildings, schools, businesses, and vehicles.
An emergency worker clears rubble at the site of a Russian attack in Kharkiv. (National Police / Telegram)
Ukrainian Mobilization and Industrial Defense Base
Ukraine is developing a new drone called “Sting” to counter Russian Shahed drones. Created by the Wild Hornets group, Sting is a first-person-view drone that can operate at high altitudes and speeds, controlled using VR goggles. It’s designed to be more cost-effective than conventional air defense systems. This development comes as Russia has launched over 6,000 Shahed drones at Ukraine in 2024 alone. In response to the increasing use of drones in the conflict, Ukraine has established the Unmanned Systems Forces and aims to produce 1 million drones this year.
Russia News
Former Yukos Oil Company executive Mikhail Rogachev was found dead in Moscow, reportedly after falling from a window. Russian sources claim it was a suicide, citing a note and Rogachev’s alleged late-stage cancer. However, an insider source denied the cancer claim, saying the death was unexpected. Rogachev had worked for Yukos, which was owned by opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky until its forced closure in 2007, and later held positions in other major Russian companies.
Alexei Navalny’s memoir “Patriot” will be published on October 22 in 22 languages. The book, compiled from his prison diaries and edited partly by his widow Yulia Navalnaya, reveals Navalny’s expectation of dying in prison. Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader, died on February 16 in a penal colony, with world leaders blaming President Putin for his death. Navalnaya hopes the memoir will keep her husband’s memory and political activism alive. She has accused Putin of murdering Navalny and vowed to continue his work, despite facing arrest charges in Russia. The Kremlin denies involvement in Navalny’s death.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
| Troops +1710
680230 |
Tanks +24
9071 |
Artillery +24
19589 |
Arm. VEH +64
18175 |
Aircraft
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
In an interview, former Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin highlighted issues in Russia’s defense industry. He criticized management, pointed out technological gaps in navigation and electronic warfare resistance, and mentioned problems facing the Black Sea Fleet. Rogozin emphasized the need for more advanced drones and electronic warfare systems. He also suggested Russia should create a new military branch for unmanned systems, similar to Ukraine’s recent initiative.
Russia’s Allies
Belarus’ Air Force shot down a Russian Shahed drone over Homel Oblast, the third such incident since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. Three Russian drones entered Belarusian airspace around 12:30 a.m., with one intercepted near Yelsk around 1 a.m. Despite multiple drone incursions, Belarus has not publicly objected to these incidents involving its ally, Russia.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com