Russo-Ukrainian War, day 965: Ukraine destroys over 10,000 Russian artillery systems in 2024

Military

Ukrainian military destroys over 10,000 Russian artillery systems since January. Since the start of 2024, Ukraine's military has taken out 10,373 Russian artillery systems, with losses estimated at $8 billion, significantly crippling Russia's artillery brigades. Two Crimean collaborators fighting for Russia captured by Ukraine in Kursk Oblast. The suspected traitors, aged 51 and 45, joined the Russian forces after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and served in the 810th Separate Guards Naval Infantry Brigade. Ukrainian forces repel Russian assaults in Kharkiv Oblast. The Kharkiv front continues to see intense fighting, with Ukrainian forces maintaining control. Over 95 Russian personnel were killed or wounded in the latest battles, as Ukraine's military effectively dismantles Russian offensive capabilities. Russian forces advance in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast – DeepState. The situation in Toretsk has deteriorated rapidly, with officials reporting that no buildings remain intact as Russian forces continue their assault on the city. Forbes: Russian marines' atrocities spark targeted retaliation from Ukrainian forces. Russian marines executed nine Ukrainian drone operators, prompting retaliatory attacks from Ukrainian air assault brigades. As of 15 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: 671400 (+1210)
Tanks: 8988 (+13)
APV: 17939 (+44)
Artillery systems: 19430 (+9)
MLRS: 1231
Anti-aircraft systems: 978
Aircraft: 369
Helicopters: 329
UAV: 17019 (+10)
Cruise missiles: 2620 (+1)
Warships/boats: 28
Submarines: 1
Vehicles and fuel tanks: 26654 (+32)

Intelligence and technology

Forbes: High-stakes tech race unfolds in Ukraine's drone-dominated skies. Ukraine's drone interceptors are blinding Russian reconnaissance, impacting long-range attacks in a high-speed technological arms race over Ukrainian skies. Ukrainian drone operator detained for allegedly aiding Russians in Chasiv Yar. SBU detained a soldier, 22, suspected of state treason for allegedly providing Russian artillery with coordinates of his own drone unit in Donetsk Oblast.

International

NATO representative in Ukraine: Russia escalates hybrid attacks against Alliance. NATO's senior representative in Ukraine, Patrick Turner, revealed that Russia's increased use of sabotage, cyberattacks, and other hybrid tactics against the West will not stop the Alliance from backing Ukraine and countering these aggressive actions. US official: North Korean troops in Ukraine would show Russian "desperation". Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused North Korea of sending military personnel to Russia Ukraine's Foreign Minister calls on Europe to fight Russia's shadow fleet of tankers. The calls follow the reports that Russian oil exports through the so-called shadow fleet have nearly doubled over the past year, reaching 4.1 million barrels per day. Ukraine and Mauritius approve visa-free agreement. Ukraine and Mauritius have signed an agreement allowing their citizens to travel between the two countries without visas for up to 90 days, as announced by a Ukrainian government representative. NATO representative: Ukraine's right to self-defense includes strikes inside Russian territory. India sharply reduced purchases of Russian coal. India slashed its imports of Russian coal by 26% in the first nine months of 2024, signaling a major shift in the global coal trade. Czech Republic to return its ambassador to Moscow amid Russia's war in Ukraine

. The Czech Republic named Daniel Koštoval, a diplomat and former deputy defense minister, as its new ambassador to Moscow, set to take office in early 2025 after almost a three-year break. NATO official: No serious risk of Russian nuclear escalation at present. NATO's Patrick Turner emphasizes the Alliance's measured approach to Moscow's nuclear rhetoric. Rutte: NATO will do what's necessary to ensure Ukraine's victory. The NATO chief said that the Alliance won't be intimidated by Russia's threats. Exports of Russian oil via shadow fleet nearly doubled in past year. Russia has spent over $10 billion since 2022 on vessels to bypass Western sanctions, a new study finds. EU energy ministers weigh options for Russian gas transit as Ukraine transit deal expires. Azerbaijan could play a pivotal role in maintaining gas flows to Europe as the EU seeks alternatives to Russian supplies through Ukraine. Hungary in talks with Gazprom for additional gas supplies in 2025. Hungarian FM Szijjártó revealed the ongoing talks with Gazprom and threatened to veto EU sanctions if its Russian oil exemption is revoked. Czechia spends five times more on Russian energy than Ukraine aid, report reveals. The country's reliance on Russian oil increased to 60% in 2023 before dropping slightly in 2024. Ukraine denies alleged supplies of Western weapons to African regions. The Ministry particularly rejects claims of drone support for Malian rebels Russian deliberate policy of violence: Ukraine reports surge in executions of POWs by Moscow troops. Ukrainian authorities have raised alarm over the rising death toll of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russian air attack hits Mykolaiv hard, leaving one dead and 23 injured

. Russian military forces conducted a nighttime air assault on Ukraine, utilizing 17 Shahed drones and various missile types to target multiple regions. Chronically ill Ukrainians in occupation face loss of free medication access without Russian citizenship. Russia's new policy, set to take effect in 2025, affects all medical categories, including chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma. ISW: Russia aims to undermine Ukraine's grain corridor through repeated Odesa port attacks. Russian forces struck the port of Odesa on 14 October, damaging two civilian vessels and port infrastructure. It's the fourth attack on ports since 5 October.

Political and legal developments

Reuters: Spain detains members of smuggling network supplying banned chemicals to Russia. Spanish police arrested four individuals linked to a crime ring suspected of smuggling 13 tons of banned chemicals to Russia, potentially including chemical weapons precursors, as part of an effort to evade Western sanctions imposed for the invasion of Ukraine. Energy Community: Ukrenergo certification as independent operator won't impact winter electricity imports. In a recent letter, the Energy Community emphasized that ongoing certification efforts for "Ukrenergo" will not affect Ukraine's ability to import electricity from the EU this winter, countering previous warnings of potential disruptions.

New developments

Russians search for 18 North Korean deserters near Ukraine's border, Ukrainian intel source says. The source says DPRK soldiers have fled their positions in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk oblasts, while the Russian military searches for deserters and hides the incident from superiors. Investigation into Russian-orchestrated arson attacks leads to Russian terrorist threats in Ukraine. Hundreds of Ukrainian institutions evacuated after receiving terrorist threats via email after RFE/RL's investigation exposed Russian intelligence recruitment of Ukrainians for arson attacks on military vehicles. Read our earlier daily review here.