Summary of the Day:
Russian forces made territorial gains in multiple sectors while reportedly sustaining significant specialist casualties in assault operations. Russian forces advanced in Glushkovsky Raion, Kursk Oblast and secured new positions near Pokrovsk and Vuhledar. Military analysts note that Russian command continues to commit military specialists to assault operations, incurring unnecessary losses in what appears to be an effort to maintain offensive momentum and centralize control over forces across the theater.
In a significant development, Bloomberg reported that a second group of North Korean soldiers is preparing to deploy to Russia. This follows earlier reports of initial North Korean troop deployments that began in early October.
Meanwhile, German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall announced plans to expand its defense industrial presence in Ukraine. The company has already opened one facility for tank and infantry fighting vehicle production and maintenance, with plans to establish additional plants for ammunition, powder production, and air defense systems by the end of 2024.
Picture of the Day:
Employees of Ukrainian Postal Service (Ukrposhta) clean up debris after Russian missile attack in Dnipro, Ukraine. According to regional military administration because of the night missile attack, five people were killed, including a child. More than 20 people were injured. (Denys Poliakov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party won 54.3% of votes in the October 26 parliamentary election, with nearly all precincts reporting. Opposition parties are contesting the results, citing election violations including ballot stuffing and voter intimidation. The election is crucial for Georgia’s EU membership prospects, though these were already complicated by recent laws restricting free speech. Party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s richest man with ties to Russia, praised the victory, while opposition leader Tina Bokuchava claims a 10% victory margin for opposition parties based on exit polls.
Moldova’s national police revealed a $39 million Russian scheme to influence recent elections, led by pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor. In the October 20 presidential election, pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu secured 42% of the vote, advancing to a November 3 runoff against Alexandr Stoianoglo, who received 26%. Voters narrowly approved a referendum to include EU accession in Moldova’s constitution. Authorities discovered that Russian funds were distributed to about 300,000 voters (20% of total ballots cast) through a bribery network, with $15 million dispersed in September and $24 million in October. The scheme included spreading anti-EU disinformation via Telegram. Police have documented 341 bribery cases and conducted raids in 19 districts. Moldova, which has supported Ukraine during the war, faces potential security concerns regarding the Russian-occupied region of Transnistria.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
A Russian military blogger reported that a helicopter crashed in the Kerch Strait near Crimea.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian President Putin claims Russian forces have made progress in Kursk Oblast, stating that the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade advanced about 10 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border. Putin asserts that Russian forces have encircled 2,000 Ukrainian troops in a 6 by 15-kilometer area, though Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi has denied these claims. The situation is complicated by reports of possible North Korean troop deployment to the region, and concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war, with Ukrainian sources alleging Russian commanders have ordered troops not to take Ukrainian prisoners. This development comes after three months of continued Ukrainian presence in Kursk Oblast, with Putin’s statements possibly aimed at explaining Russia’s challenges in the region and preparing for potential North Korean military involvement.
Fighting continues in Kursk Oblast along a stable frontline, with clashes reported in several areas. Combat is occurring southeast of Korenevo near Novoivanovka, Lyubimovka, and Zeleny Shlyakh; around Sudzha near Kamyshovka, Pogrebki, Malaya Loknya, and Plekhovo. Ukrainian forces are reportedly active in Darino, while Russian airborne units are operating near Lyubimovka and Zeleny Shlyakh.
Ukrainian forces launched a mechanized assault near the town of Novy Put in Kursk Oblast’s Glushkovsky district. Video evidence from October 26 shows Ukrainian troops advancing east of Novy Put, though Russian forces appear to have regained some positions in the area. Ukrainian forces continue to maintain positions along the Russian-Ukrainian border southeast of Novy Put.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk and Starytsya in northern Kharkiv Oblast but made no confirmed advances. Ukrainian forces are blocking Russian attempts to advance toward Kharkiv City through Lyptsi. Colonel Yevhenii Romanov reports that Russian forces have severely damaged Lyptsi, leaving no habitable buildings in the settlement.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. While Russian sources claim advances near Kolisnykivka, Kruhlyakivka, Vyshneve, and Terny, these claims lack visual confirmation. Fighting continued across multiple locations: near Synkivka, Holubivka, and Kindrashivka north of Kupyansk; around Kruhlyakivka and Stepova Novoselivka to the south; near Pershotravneve west of Svatove; and in several areas around Kreminna including Terny, Hrekivka, Nevske, Makiivka, Torske, Hryhorivka, and the Serebryanske forest area.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces launched attacks near Siversk targeting Bilohorivka to the northeast and Ivano-Daryivka and Vyimka to the southeast. Despite using multiple military units they failed to make any confirmed advances. Additional Russian forces attacked south of Siversk toward Pereizne and Fedorivka. Military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets noted that Russian forces in this area have limited reserves and minimal armor, with only about three dozen armored vehicles and no tanks available.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces attacked near Chasiv Yar. They made small advances south of Hryhorivka and near Kalynivka, capturing part of eastern Chasiv Yar’s Zhovtnevyi district. However, their attacks southeast of Chasiv Yar near Ivanivske and Kurdyumivka were unsuccessful. Russian forces in this area maintain a reserve of six to eight tanks and about 85 armored vehicles.
Toretsk
Russian forces attacked near Toretsk and toward Shcherbynivka but failed to make any confirmed advances.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces made small advances near Pokrovsk pushing into eastern Novotoretske, west of Novohrodivka, and northern Oleksandropil. They also captured the Korotchenko mine waste heap near Selydove and reportedly advanced into Hirnyk. Fighting continued in multiple settlements including Vozdvyzhenka, Myrolyubivka, Promin, Krutyi Yar, Lyskivka, Mykolaivka, Selydove, Novoselydivka, Novodmytrivka, Izmailivka, and Stepanivka.
Kurakhove
Russian forces attacked near Kurakhove, targeting Hostre and Dalne but failed to make any confirmed advances, despite using artillery units in the area.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces advanced near Vuhledar pushing west of Pobieda and gaining ground north of Zolota Nyva and Prechystivka. They reportedly reached Novoukrainka and parts of Shakhtarske and Bohoyavlenka, though these claims lack visual confirmation. Fighting continued near Antonivka, Yelyzavetivka, and Katerynivka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
There were no reports of Russian military activity along the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border from either Russian or Ukrainian sources.
Zaporizhia Line
Russian forces launched an attack north of Robotyne toward Novodanylivka. New recruits are training in the Zaporizhia area, while drone operators are conducting operations in the same region.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast without making any confirmed progress.
Ukraine News
Russia launched a major strike against Ukraine using 91 drones and multiple missiles, including Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Crimea and cruise missiles from Bryansk. Ukrainian forces intercepted 44 drones across multiple regions. The attacks damaged civilian targets, notably in Dnipro City where strikes destroyed a residential building, killed four civilians, and damaged the Mechnikov Hospital. Additional drone strikes hit buildings in Starokostiantyniv and Kyiv.
Ukraine and India are working to strengthen their defense industry cooperation, as discussed in a meeting between Ukraine’s Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin and Indian Ambassador Ravi Shankar. This follows earlier meetings between President Zelensky and Prime Minister Modi in September, where both countries signed four cooperation agreements. While India remains historically aligned with Russia and maintains strong economic ties with Moscow, Ukraine is actively seeking to expand its partnership with New Delhi. The relationship has faced some controversy, notably when Modi met with Putin in Moscow in July 2023, embracing him on the same day Russia bombed Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, resulting in two deaths.
Ukrainian filmmakers withdrew their film “Intercepted” from the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) after learning it would be screened alongside “Russians at War,” a controversial documentary by Canadian-Russian director Anastasia Trofimova, a former Russia Today employee. The latter film, which received 340,000 Canadian dollars from the Canada Media Fund, has been criticized for whitewashing Russian soldiers and failing to address war crimes. While festivals in Toronto, Athens, and Zurich dropped the film, and Ontario’s public broadcaster TVO refused to air it, WIFF maintained its screening despite protests from Ukrainian-Canadian communities. The Security Service of Ukraine is now investigating Trofimova for justifying Russian aggression and illegally entering occupied territories during filming.
Innocent Victims Of War
A Russian missile strike on Dnipro on October 25 killed five people and injured 21, including a 17-year-old in serious condition. The attack damaged the Mechnikov hospital, a crucial facility for treating severely wounded soldiers, along with 13 apartment buildings and two houses. Among the casualties were a police officer’s wife and eldest daughter, though his younger daughter was rescued.
Ukrainian Mobilization and Industrial Defense Base
Ukraine’s government announced that workers in strategically important economic sectors can extend their military service exemptions, while conducting an audit until November 15 to verify which businesses qualify as critical. The review comes amid concerns about an unusually high number of exemptions, which reached nearly one million people by mid-August. To address military personnel needs, Ukraine has implemented several changes: lowering the draft age from 27 to 25, launching the Reserv+ program as an alternative to traditional enlistment, and updating mobilization laws in mid-April 2024. Prime Minister Shmyhal has called for fairer rules regarding exemptions for critical business employees, as the country works to balance its economic stability with defense requirements.
President Zelensky signed a bill allowing foreign volunteers in Ukraine’s International Legion to serve as officer positions, expanding from their previous roles limited to privates and sergeants. The Legion, established in 2022 at the start of Russia’s invasion, has drawn volunteers from over 50 countries and operates under both Ukraine’s Ground Forces and military intelligence (HUR).
Ukraine’s Allies
German defense company Rheinmetall has opened its first manufacturing plant in Ukraine for maintaining and producing tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. CEO Armin Papperger announced on October 26 that the company plans to expand with additional facilities, including a powder factory and a munitions plant. Rheinmetall expects to start producing Lynx infantry vehicles at the current facility by late 2024 and plans to add an air defense systems plant. The company announced in March 2024 that it aims to establish at least four weapons manufacturing plants in Ukraine.
Russia News
French retail chain Auchan is reportedly finalizing the sale of its Russian operations to Gazprombank, a sanctioned Russian bank, according to Le Monde. Despite initial resistance to leaving Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, citing concerns for its 30,000 employees, Auchan is now moving to sell as Russia increases its exit tax from 10% to 15%. Gazprombank, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2014, previously acquired Ikea’s Mega shopping centers in Russia, where Auchan stores are located. The sale is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
| Troops +1440
689040 |
Tanks +4
9113 |
Artillery +39
19821 |
Arm. VEH +23
18355 |
Aircraft
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian military commanders are reportedly reassigning drone specialists to infantry units, a move criticized by a former Storm Z instructor. This decision, which places experienced drone operators in ground combat roles, appears to be part of an effort to centralize control over Russian forces and maintain offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, despite the risk of losing valuable specialists.
Russia’s Allies
North Korean troops are being deployed to Russia, with an initial group of 1,500 special forces arriving in Vladivostok between October 8-13, and several thousand more reportedly arriving in Kursk Oblast. While U.S. officials estimate 3,000 North Korean troops are currently training at military grounds in Ekaterinoslavka, Knyaze-Volkonskoe, Sergeevka, Ussuriysk, and Ulan-Ude, a senior Ukrainian official reported up to 5,000 elite troops had entered Russia by October 21, with South Korean intelligence suggesting numbers could reach 10,000 by December. Since August 2023, North Korea has allegedly supplied Russia with 8 million artillery shells, around 100 ballistic missiles, and anti-tank weapons. President Zelensky warned on October 26 that North Korean troops may join Russian forces in Ukraine as soon as October 27-28, which would make North Korea an active participant in Russia’s invasion. In response, South Korea is considering reviewing its ban on supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com