Russo-Ukrainian War, day 960: Ukraine strikes Russian airbase 400 km behind front lines

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Military

Russian advances threaten Ukrainian defenses in Toretsk. With the potential capture of Toretsk, Russian forces could effectively advance towards Pokrovsk or in the Avdiivka direction, reinforcing their troops in crucial sectors like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Ukraine crushes Russian artillery push in Kharkiv, neutralizes 100 occupiers in one day. As Russia attempts to replenish its artillery forces in Kharkiv, Ukrainian defenders destroy dozens of occupiers and military equipment, keeping the operational situation under control despite heavy assaults. Ukraine's General Staff confirms successful attack on Khanskaya airfield in Russia. Sources report 57 Russian military jets and helicopters present during attack, including Su-34 and Su-35 fighters. ISW: Russia intensifies mechanized assaults in Ukraine before fall weather sets in. This escalation, focused on eastern Ukraine, aims to maintain pressure on Ukrainian forces through fall and early winter. Drones targeted Russian airbase in Adygea 400 km behind the lines (video)

. Explosions and fires were reported at the airbase, authorities evacuated locals from a nearby village. As of 10 OCT 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: 665200 (+1080)
Tanks: 8945 (+1)
APV: 17765 (+14)
Artillery systems: 19263 (+41)
MLRS: 1225 (+2)
Anti-aircraft systems: 976
Aircraft: 369
Helicopters: 328
UAV: 16767 (+49)
Cruise missiles: 2619 (+1)
Warships/boats: 28
Submarines: 1
Vehicles and fuel tanks: 26314 (+74)

Intelligence and technology

Umierov: Russia will feel positive news on long-range weapons on the front. Ukraine's Defense Minister also announced increased AS-90 artillery deliveries. Antonov's latest military transport aircraft touches down in Poland. Ukraine's An-178-100R prototype departed from Ukraine and landed at Poland's Bydgoszcz Airport on 9 October. AP: Russia dupes African women into making drones for its war in Ukraine. Russia's Alabuga factory is recruiting African and Asian women to assemble drones for the Ukraine war, using deceptive job advertisements and exploiting labor shortages. Cost-effective steel-screen Ukrainian solution outperforms Russian "turtle" tank protection. Ukrainian Metinvest's steel screens protect military vehicles from FPV drone attacks without compromising performance, unlike Russian improvised solutions, according to Liga.

International

Britain may send military instructors to western Ukraine to train recruits

. A proposed shift in UK military strategy could see British instructors operating on Ukrainian soil for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Norway allocates over $ 87 million to expand weapons production for Ukraine. Small and medium-sized Norwegian defense companies are set to receive substantial funding to develop innovative technologies for use in Ukraine. Zelenskyy meets UK PM Starmer and NATO chief Rutte in London for crucial talks. Zelenskyy seeks military aid and long-range weapons approval in London talks, with further European meetings scheduled. France begins training Ukrainian Anna of Kyiv Brigade, pledges equipment support. 2,300 Ukrainian soldiers are undergoing training in infantry combat, armored warfare, and air defense as part of a comprehensive military program. Over 1 million civilians evacuated from Donetsk Oblast since 2022. Some 335,000 residents are still remaining in the region. Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna confirmed dead in Russian captivity. Roshchyna, a journalist working with RFE/RL, went missing in August 2023 while traveling to occupied territories and was slated for a prisoner exchange. Crimea on brink of environmental collapse after Kerch Bridge construction, experts say. Environmental experts raise alarms over the severe pollution of Crimea's Black Sea coastline, which they attribute to military drills, infrastructure damage, and toxic spills. Occupied Crimea faces a looming ecological catastrophe, with restricted beach access and devastated natural reserves. Death toll rises to seven in Russian missile attack on Odesa port, Panama-flagged container ship damaged. The death toll from yesterday's Russian missile attack increased to seven when a 46-year-old port worker succumbed to severe injuries in hospital the following day. Six injured as Russian bomb strike hits residential area in Zaporizhzhia

. Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia with guided bombs, partially destroying five detached houses and damaging several others.

Political and legal developments

Leading Ukrainian media accuses Zelenskyy's office of attempts of silencing. The Media Movement, a coalition of Ukrainian journalists and media organizations, has called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take immediate action against media pressure by state officials, demanding transparency, open communication, and unobstructed access to crucial public information. Ukraine opens officer ranks to foreigners in new military law. The country's parliament has approved legislation permitting foreigners and stateless persons to hold officer positions in the country's armed forces and security services.

New developments

Most Ukrainians confident in victory with Western support, new survey shows. A new study reveals that over 80% of Ukrainians believe the country can win the war against Russia if the West continues to support their country. Tagesschau: German CNC machines bypass sanctions to reach Russian military suppliers via Türkiye. These machines, capable of producing vehicle parts and ammunition, are being used in Russian military-related industries. Unilever exits Russian market after 2.5 years of Russia's all-out war in Ukraine. The company announced the completion of its "very complex" Russian subsidiary sale. Read our earlier daily review here.