UAF – Ukrainian Forces
RF – Russian Forces
Summary of the Events
Very little has changed on the ground over the last four days. UAF were able to liberate two mor settlements. RF continue to target Avdiivka and Vuhledar, but without success.
Sloboda Front (UAF)
UAF liberated Olyanka. RF attempted to regain positions and attacked in the direction of Makiyivka and Nevske but were repelled.
Siversky Donets Front (UAF)
RF attempted to move towards Spirne, Verkhnokamyanske, and Bilohorivka but without success.
Bakhmut Front (RF)
Fighting continues in Soledar and near Bakhmut, but UAF are holding their lines. RF also made assaults towards Yakovlivka and Mayorsk but were repelled.
Avdiivka Front (RF)
Fighting continues around Vodiane and Pervomaiskyi. RF attempted to advance closer to Avdiivka and Vesele but were repelled.
Donetsk Front (RF)
RF are focused on taking Pavlivka and Vuhledar. RF broke through UAF lines and reached the center of Pavlivka. However, they were unable to hold the positions and were forced to retreat. RF also attempted to advance towards Novomykhailivka and Prechystivka but were repelled.
Zaporizhia Front
No change on the ground.
Kherson Front (UAF)
UAF liberated Mala Seidemynukha.
Other News
British Intelligence (BI) released an image of a Russian MiG-31K Foxhound interceptor jet with an AS-24 Killjoy missile in clear view in Belarus on October 17. Since its deployment in Belarus gives no additional advantage to Russia, it is interpreted as a message that Belarus is increasingly complicit in the war. It is also believed that Belarus has supplied Russia with 100 tanks. BI also shared that they had information that Russia was deploying “barrier troops” whose purpose would be to shoot at Russian deserters on the frontlines.
One day after Russian missiles knocked out one-third of the power grid in Kyiv on Monday, water and electricity was fully restored. But the capital will experience brownouts as the amount of power able to be generated was greatly damaged.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan began talks on Monday with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to restore the export of Ukrainian grain after Russia announced they would no longer abide by the agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain. Russia backed down by Wednesday and agreed to allow Ukrainian exports again. Six Ukrainian ships full of grain left port on Thursday.
In an amazing operation, Ukrainian commandos blew up three Russian helicopters deep into Russian territory. A video was released showing the UAF soldiers placing the explosives in the fuselage of the three helicopters at the Veretye Air Base in Pskov region 310 miles north of Ukraine’s border and 70 miles east of NATO territory in Latvia. The commandos entered and left Russia undetected.
Iran announced they will send another shipment of 200 military drones to Russia. And North Korea is supplying Russia with artillery shells.
Over 100 Russian draftees protested the Russian government for not paying them their salaries at a training center in Ulyanovsk.
Russia announced that they will connect the Zaporizhian Nuclear Power Plant to the Russian grid.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigated over several days the Russian claim that Ukraine was building a dirty bomb to be used against RF. The IAEA concluded that no such action was being conducted by Ukraine.
International Support
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly addressed the House of Commons condemning Russia for weaponizing grain exports and warning of repercussions should Russia use nuclear weapons on Ukraine.
Germany sent a message to Serbia, who is applying to become a member of the European Union, that they must decide between joining the EU or maintaining their friendship with Russia.
Twelve countries have pledged to provide equipment to restore energy to Ukraine to help them get through the winter after Russia has damaged the electrical grid. The twelve countries are Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, and Spain.
Poland announced they will build a fence around the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to prevent illegal crossings and enforce their boycott of Russians crossing through Polish territory between the exclave and Belarus.
UAF attacked several Russian ships in the occupied Sevastopol port with drones after being trained by British military. Russia summoned the British ambassador on Thursday and warned him of dangerous consequences if the UK continues to train UAF.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Jose Manuel Albarez, arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to show Spain’s support of Ukraine.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the sending of deminers to Ukraine to assist UAF in clearing landmines planted by RF. These will be the first foreign troops sent to Ukraine to assist in the war against Russia.
Microsoft announced they will supply $100 million in technological assistance to Ukraine.