Russo-Ukrainian war, day 944: Ukraine accuses Belarus of militarizing Ukrainian children in ICC

Military

Russia sends its troops to death to reveal Ukrainian defenses on battlefield. Russian troops are being sent on suicidal missions with no chance of survival while artillery fire deliberately targets their own forces to reveal Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian forces strike Russian command post in Zaporizhzhia with HIMARS and precision bombs. The strike was conducted with the Shark drone of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. UK intel: Russian forces increasing pressure on Vuhledar by implementing multi-pronged assault tactics. This multi-pronged assault aims to stretch Ukrainian defenses but also limits Russia's ability to concentrate forces for a decisive breakthrough. Frontline report: Thermobaric strikes and kamikaze drones in the Lyman direction. Russian forces are channeling their supplies to the north in the Lyman direction to facilitate an advance on Nevs'ke. However, Ukrainians acted fast and now threaten to undermine the Russian breakthrough through an uppercut maneuver ISW: Russian offensives near Vuhledar and Pokrovsk aim to stretch Ukrainian forces. The capture of Vuhledar by Russian forces is unlikely to provide significant operational advantages for further offensives in western Donetsk Oblast, according to ISW analysts. Air defense forces shot down 28 Shahed and 4 missiles at night. The Air Force said the drones were launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk, Russia. As of 25 SEP 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 646400 (+1250)
• Tanks: 8815 (+15)
• APV: 17304 (+12)
• Artillery systems: 18549 (+74)
• MLRS: 1199 (+1)
• Anti-aircraft systems: 952
• Aircraft: 369
• Helicopters: 328
• UAV: 15879 (+115)
• Cruise missiles: 2595
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 25248 (+73)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine offers Northern European countries to train one Ukrainian battalion each. Ukraine has unveiled a new defense cooperation plan, asking each Nordic country to prepare and arm a Ukrainian battalion. Russian hackers adopt new cyberwarfare tactics against Ukraine. The cyber battlefield continues to evolve, with Russian hackers shifting from broad, destructive attacks to stealthy, targeted operations aimed at the heart of Ukraine's war effort and supply chains. Reuters: Russia has secret war drones project in China. The program has already developed and flight-tested a new drone model called Garpiya-3 (''Harpy'') in China with the help of local specialists. Russia systematically spying on strategic Western infrastructure in Baltic and North Sea. A former crew member revealed the dual nature of these missions: "If you destroy the undersea pipelines in case of war, you have an advantage.''

International

Slovak president calls for increased border radiation monitoring. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has announced plans to increase radiation monitoring at the Ukrainian border following warnings from President Zelenskyy about potential Russian attacks on nuclear facilities. Scholz reaffirms Germany's leading role in supporting Ukraine. Scholz also emphasized Germany's crucial role in implementing a G7 initiative to unlock $50 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction. Meanwhile, the funds have not yet reached the country, Ukrainian officials said. Erdogan: US and NATO members do not want Ukraine to join the Alliance. Türkiye's President Erdogan cautioned against rushing Ukraine's NATO membership, highlighting the need to consider other alliance members' positions. Danish Prime Minister warns against talks of exchanging Ukrainian territories for peace. In the interview for Politico, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also urged the EU to reduce its dependency on China, citing divergent values and interests. Finnish President Stubb pledges continued aid for Ukraine during meeting with Zelenskyy. The leaders discussed additional air defense systems, including MANPADS for Kyiv. Ukraine and Vietnam agree to increase trade turnover in various fields. Vietnam has pledged $500,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressed readiness to assist in post-war reconstruction efforts. Ukraine still awaits $ 50 billion from frozen Russian assets amid legal and political uncertainty. Despite commitments from G7 countries, no concrete steps have been taken, leaving Ukraine without the funds needed for reconstruction and defense. EU to continue supporting Ukraine regardless of US administration's actions, Borrell says. The European Union provided over 100 billion $112 bn in aid to Ukraine, including $50 bn in military support, according to EU High Representative Josep Borrell. Blinken: US must halt Russia's military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China. Blinken at UN: Iran sending drones & missiles, N. Korea shipping weapons to Russia; China supplying tech for Russia's war machine Biden says "we cannot let up" on Ukraine support amid US' uncertain political future. Biden's final UN speech as president focused on global challenges, from the war in Ukraine to climate change.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukrainian human rights groups accuse Belarus of militarizing Ukrainian children in ICC. Human rights organizations have presented evidence to the ICC detailing the systematic indoctrination and militarization of over 2,200 Ukrainian children in Belarus, marking it as a targeted crime against humanity. Death toll rises as rescuers find fourth victim in Kharkiv rubble. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office confirms that rescuers have discovered the body of a fourth victim under the debris of a nine-story apartment building struck by a Russian bomb.

Political and legal developments

A record number of Russians favor ending Russo-Ukrainian War without achieving Putin's goals. This shift in public opinion suggests war fatigue is on the rise in Russia.

New developments

Russia doesn't have endless resources, its economy nearing tipping point, expert says. Russia's finite resources, strained by inflation, labor shortages, dwindling stockpiles, and sanctions, make it difficult to sustain its war effort beyond 2025-2026, as per military analyst Anders Puck Nielsen. Read our earlier daily review here