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CDS Daily brief (02.11.22) | CDS comments on key events

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Humanitarian aspect:

More than 1,255 children were affected in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation. As of the morning of November 2, 2022, the official number of child victims has not changed – 430. The number of injured has increased to more than 825.

From 6 in the morning on November 2, hourly electricity blackout schedules have been put into effect in Ukraine, NEC “Ukrenergo” reported. Schedules of hourly outages mean that certain groups of consumers will be restricted every day, but according to a certain schedule drawn up by distribution network operators for each Oblast.

In Kyiv Oblast, 16,000 homes remain without electricity, the head of the Oblast military administration (OMA), Oleksiy Kuleba, said.

One of the 13 “Shahed-136” kamikaze drones launched by the Russian forces on the night of November 2 hit an infrastructure facility in Cherkasy Oblast. The Air Force shot down the remaining 12 Shaheds. Six were shot down on the approach to Kyiv, and six over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Over the past day, the Russian military shelled populated areas of Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy and Mykolaiv Oblast, heads of respective Oblast military administrations reported at 9:00 a.m:

  • In Sumy Oblast, the Russian forces shelled five border settlements at night, and 22 air strikes were recorded. No victims or damages reported.
  • In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast at night and in the morning, the Russian forces again shelled Nikopol and Chervonohryhorivka community. According to premilitary information, people were not injured.
  • In the village of Petropavlivka, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv Oblast, a 25-year-old mother and two children – a 4-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl – were injured as a result of Russian shelling. The mother’s condition is assessed as average; the children are in serious condition. Two men were hospitalized with injuries in the Kupyansk district, one man was injured and hospitalized in the Chuhuyiv district, Kharkiv Oblast.
  • Over the past day there were 4 dead and 10 injured in Donetsk Oblast. Work to restore electricity supplies in the occupied territories continues.

The sounds of explosions were heard in Zaporizhzhia at 9:11 p.m. An air alert was announced in the city and Oblast at 20:42. The head of Zaporizhzhia OMA, Oleksandr Starukh, confirmed the attack on the suburbs of Zaporizhzhia.

The US Department of State has awarded $47.6 million to Tetra Tech, Inc. to provide urgent humanitarian demining assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression. This project forms part of $91.5 million in demining assistance announced in August, DoS spokesperson said on Twitter.

Humanitarian demining of liberated territories in Kharkiv Oblast continues. During the day, the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service defused 1,216 explosive objects. On Tuesday, near the village of Lypka, A 73-year-old man was injured when a mine blew up.

More than 93% of educational institutions across Ukraine are already ready for the heating season, Minister of Education and Science Serhii Shkarlet said. However, the situation differs depending on the Oblast. For example, Kyiv and 13 Oblasts are 100% ready; in the rest of the [Ukraine’s] territory, the indicators are 90% and higher. The temperature in shelters is also an important factor. In case it does not meet the requirements, classes will be held remotely.

Occupied territories:

On November 2, the Ukrainian staff of the Zaporizhzhya NPP restored heat supply in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and hot water also appeared in residential buildings, Enerhoatom reported. Currently, the water temperature is 51 degrees Celsius. “Energoatom” noted that this is not enough to fully provide Enerhodar with heat and hot water, but even this temperature allows for protecting the city’s utility networks from damage in the event of cold weather. Since May, Zaporizhia NPP, not Zaporizhia TPP provided heat and water supply to Enerhodar. The latter had to be stopped due to the Russian shelling.

According to the Center of national resistance (CNR) of the Ukrainian MOD, The Russian occupying forces are increasing the rate of looting in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In Melitopol, the occupiers continue to rob Ukrainian state-owned enterprises. In particular, the enemy ransacked the equipment of PrivatBank branches, taking away even the furniture. Russians call all this “nationalization”. Russian marauders also robbed resort centers in Kyrylivka – dismantling boilers, air conditioners, and other household appliances. CNR stressed that the robbery takes place under the supervision of the Russian military. Before that, the local collaborators created a list of facilities that “belong to no one”. It includes objects whose owners refused to cooperate with the occupiers.

The Russian occupying forces ransacked the Albin Gavdzinsky art gallery in the temporarily occupied Nova Kakhovka after announcing the “evacuation of the population” due to a possible counteroffensive by the Armed Forces in the Kherson region, the Nova Kakhovka City Council said. The invaders took away many paintings, graphics and sculptures from the gallery.

Restoration of the destroyed part of the Kerch Strait bridge [to Crimea] will be completed in December; the transport security of the peninsula will be completely resolved, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Construction and Regional Development Marat Khusnullin said.

Operational situation

It is the 252nd day of the strategic air-ground offensive operation of the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine (in the official terminology of the Russian Federation – “operation to defend Donbas”). The enemy tries to maintain control over the temporarily captured territories,

concentrates its efforts on disrupting the counteroffensive actions of the Ukrainian troops, and does not give up attempts to conduct the offensive in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka directions.

Over the past day, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian attacks in the areas around Makiivka, Nevske and Bilohorivka of Luhansk Oblast and Verkhnokamyanske, Spirne, Bakhmut, Mayorsk, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Pavlivka and Prechystivka of Donetsk Oblast.

The Russian military continues to shell the Ukrainian troops along the contact line, fortify frontiers in certain directions, and conduct aerial reconnaissance. In violation of the norms of international humanitarian law, the laws and customs of war, it continues to strike critical infrastructure. Over the past day, the Russian forces have launched 7 missile strikes and 47 air strikes and fired over 90 MLRS rounds. Areas around more than 25 Ukrainian towns and villages were hit by the Russian fire, including Kramatorsk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Mykilske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Pavlivka in Donetsk Oblast. Near the state border, Hai and Senkivka in Chernihiv Oblast, Mefedivka, Vovkivka, Zarutske, Myropillia, Hirky, Yunakivka, Zapsillia and Oleksandrivka in Sumy Oblast, Hlyboke, Kamianka, Vilkhuvatka, Neskuchne, Vovchansk, Kozacha Lopan, Mylove, Starytsya, Strilecha, Veterynary, Udy and Chuhunivka of Kharkiv Oblast.

Over the past day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces made 33 strikes against the enemy. 26 on areas of enemy weapons and military equipment concentration, and 7 of its anti- aircraft missile systems positions were hit. Over the past day, the Ukrainian air defense units shot down one Russian helicopter, 2 “Orlan-10” UAVs, 6 “Shakhed-136” assault UAVs and 2 “Kub” UAVs.

Missile and artillery forces hit 4 areas of weapons and military equipment concentration, 3 ammunition depots, and 6 other important Russian military targets.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian MOD reported that Iranian officials intend to send a shipment of more than 200 Shahed-136, Mohajer-6 and Arash-2 UAVs to the Russian Federation. The UAVs will be sent disassembled, and Russian personnel will assemble them with Russian markings. Iran also plans to send a thousand weapons to Russia by the end of the year, including short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and combat drones.

Russian military institutions expand training capacity. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported on November 1 that Russia is developing “tactical simulator” complexes using various unspecified training tools to reduce the cost of using expensive weapons systems.

The threat of missile strikes and the use of attack UAVs persists, specifically from the territory of the Republic of Belarus. The Republic of Belarus continues to support the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus reported that Belarus and Russia plan to set up joint training centers for the joint training of Russian and Belarusian military personnel. Their

ostensive goal is to expand the training and development capabilities of the Russian military, potentially in response to widespread and systemic problems with the training of mobilized reservists under partial mobilization.

The morale and psychological state of the personnel of the invasion forces remain low.

Kharkiv direction
  • Zolochiv-Balakleya section: approximate length of combat line – 147 km, number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 10-12, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 13.3 km;
  • Deployed enemy BTGs: 26th, 153rd, and 197th tank regiments, 245th motorized rifle regiment of the 47th tank division, 6th and 239th tank regiments, 228th motorized rifle regiment of the 90th tank division, 1st motorized rifle regiment, 1st tank regiment of the 2nd motorized rifle division, 25th and 138th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 6th Combined Arms Army, 27th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Tank Army, 275th and 280th motorized rifle regiments, 11th tank regiment of the 18th motorized rifle division of the 11 Army Corps, 7th motorized rifle regiment of the 11th Army Corps, 80th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 14th Army Corps, 2nd and 45th separate SOF brigades of the Airborne Forces, 1st Army Corps of so-called DPR, PMCs.

The Russian military fired at the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Dvorichna, Kupyansk, Kucherivka, Kyslivka, Dvorichne, Grekivka, Zarichne, Ivanivka, Kotlyarivka, Makiivka, Nadiya, Yampolivka and Terny.

On November 1, Ukrainian troops continued to conduct a counteroffensive in the direction of Svatove. Russian troops repelled Ukrainian attacks northwest of Svatove in the direction of Mykolaivka and Kuzemivka in Luhansk Oblast and near Orlyanske in the Kharkiv Oblast.

The Ukrainian defense forces have crossed the Zherebets River near Stelmakhivka and are preparing to resume the offensive against the Russian positions in the area. The 13th and 16th BARS detachments hold the defense in the Svatove direction.

The Ukrainian defense forces continued to conduct a counteroffensive in the direction of Kreminna. They are preparing for an offensive in the direction of Chervonopopivka to enter Kreminna from the north. Near Ploshchanka, they intend to launch an offensive that will cut the road between Kreminna and Svatove. Russian troops periodically counterattack to the west of Kreminna near Terny and Torske to deter the movement of the Ukrainian forces in the direction of the highway.

The Ukrainian Defense forces unsuccessfully tried to storm Kreminna from the direction of Nevske, which is under Ukrainian control.

Kramatorsk direction
  • Balakleya Siversk section: approximate length of the combat line – 184 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17-20, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 9.6 km;
  • 252nd and 752nd motorized rifle regiments of the 3rd motorized rifle division, 1st, 13th, and 12th tank regiments, 423rd motorized rifle regiment of the 4th tank division, 201st military base, 15th, 21st, 30th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, 35th, 55th and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 3rd and 14th separate SOF brigades, 2nd and 4th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Army Corps, 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Army Corps, PMCs.

The Russian military fired tanks, mortars, barrel and rocket artillery at the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Nevske and Berestove.

Donetsk direction
  • Siversk – Maryinka section: approximate length of the combat line – 235 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 13-15, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 17 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 68th and 163rd tank regiments, 102nd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments of the 150 motorized rifle division, 80th tank regiment of the 90th tank division, 35th, 55th, and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 31st separate airborne assault brigade, 61st separate marines brigade of the Joint Strategic Command “Northern Fleet,” 336th separate marines brigade, 24th separate SOF brigade, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 15th, and 100th separate motorized rifle brigades, 9th and 11th separate motorized rifle regiment of the 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR, 6th motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The Russian military shelled the areas around Spirne, Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, Ivanhrad, Opytne, Zelenopillia, Mayorsk, Avdiivka, Maryinka, Vodyane, Paraskoviivka, Kamianka, Krasnohorivka, Pervomaiske, Nevelske, Netaylove and Novomykhailivka with tanks and artillery.

The Russian forces continued their offensive around Bakhmut. Fierce fighting continues in the area of Opytne in the Kurdyumivka direction and near Zaitseve in the vicinity of Soledar and Bakhmut, where units of the “Wagner” PMC are trying to break through the Ukrainian defenses. Ukrainian troops evacuate civilians from the village of Klyshchiivka.

On November 1, Russian troops continued their offensive on the northern, northwestern, and southwestern outskirts of the city of Donetsk. They attacked in the Avdiivka direction, stormed Ukrainian positions in Nevelske, and captured a group of Ukrainian soldiers. At the end of the day on October 31, battles continued in Pervomaiske and Vodiane. Russian troops managed to advance within Maryinka.

The Russian military deployed an additional hospital in the area of Zavitne Bazhannya in Donetsk Oblast, which is currently full of wounded servicemen of the occupying forces.

Zaporizhzhia direction
  • Maryinka – Vasylivka section: approximate length of the line of combat – 200 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 11.7 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army, 38th and 64th separate motorized rifle brigades, 69th separate cover brigade of the 35th Combined Arms Army, 5th separate tank brigade, 37 separate motorized rifle brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, 135th, 429th, 503rd and 693rd motorized rifle regiments of the 19th motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 70th, 71st and 291st motorized rifle regiments of the 42nd motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 136th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 58 Combined Arms Army, 46th and 49th machine gun artillery regiments of the 18th machine gun artillery division of the 68th Army Corps, 39th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 68th Army Corps, 83th separate airborne assault brigade, 40th and 155th separate marines brigades, 22nd separate SOF brigade, 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR, and 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The Russian military shelled positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Bohoyavlenka, Pavlivka, Velyka Novosilka, Prechystivka, Vuhledar, Novomayorske, Vremivka, Neskuchne, Paraskoviivka, Hulyaipole, Hulyaipilske, Mali Shcherbaky, Novoandriivka, Orihiv, Pavlivka, Zaliznychne, Dorozhnyanka, Stepove, Olhivske, Malynivka, Novodanilivka and Chervone.

On November 1, Russian troops continued their offensive to the southwest of Donetsk in the Novopavlivka direction. Battles intensified in the Vuhledar direction; Russian troops are trying to capture Pavlivka (the 155th separate marines brigade controls up to half of the city) and Novomykhailivka. The Ukrainian Joint Forces are trying to hold the left bank of the Kashlygach River and regroup in the Vuhledar area, from the Slavne-Solodke frontier. The advanced positions of the Armed Forces Ukraine attacked to the south of Novomykhaylovka. The Russian offensive is probably aimed at encircling the Ukrainian grouping in Vuhledar.

The Russian military employs approximately five BTGs (one BTG from the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade), a combined BTG from the 18th machinegun-artillery division and 39th separate motorized rifle brigade and several units of the “company-battalion” level from the 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR people’s militia (3rd and 5th separate motorized rifle brigade, of the 11th motorized rifle regiment, two rifle battalion of the mobilization reserve, part of forces of “Kalmius” artillery brigade and special unit the so-called “DNR Interior Ministry”), divided into two tactical groups, namely Vuhledar and Novomykhailivka.

The Russian military aims to eliminate the Vuhledar-Maryika salient of the Ukrainian Joint Forces, which is objectively a convenient springboard for an offensive on Volnovakha or Dokuchaevsk, by means of two strikes in directions converging approximately east of Vodyane.

On November 1, artillery fire from the Ukrainian Joint Forces destroyed the Akhtamar hotel on the Mariupol-Donetsk road near Volnovakha, where Chechen units were stationed.

Tavriysk direction
  • Vasylivka – Stanislav section: approximate length of the battle line – 296 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 39, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 7,5 km;
  • Deployed BTGs of: the 8th and 49th Combined Arms Armies; 11th, 103rd, 109th, and 127th rifle regiments of the mobilization reserve of the 1st Army Corps of the Southern Military District; 35th and 36th Combined Arms Armies of the Eastern Military District; 3rd Army Corps of the Western Military District; 90th tank division of the Central Military District; the 22nd Army Corps of the Coastal Forces; the 810th separate marines brigade of the Black Sea Fleet; the 7th and 76th Air assault divisions, the 98th airborne division, and the 11th separate airborne assault brigade of the Airborne Forces.

The Russian fire hit areas of more than 18 towns and villages along the contact line. The city of Nikopol and the village of Illinka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast were hit by shelling from Russian MLRS.

Russian troops continued to prepare defensive lines and positions, conducted aerial reconnaissance and formed defensive lines on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. Russian troops are digging trenches and entrenching themselves for the defense of the eastern bank, including along the Nova Kakhovka – Dniprany – Korsunka line, Hola Prystan and as far south as Mykhailivka.

The Russian military repelled Ukrainian attacks in the direction of Beryslav. The Ukrainian Defense Forces unsuccessfully tried to advance in the direction of Mylove, Sukhanove, in the area of Bruskinske – Kostromka and Zeleny Hai.

The Ukrainian defense forces continued to block Russian concentration areas and logistics hubs. They struck Russian ammunition depots in the Beryslav district and the area of Kozatske near Nova Kakhovka.

The forced so-called “evacuation” of civilians from towns and villages in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson Oblast continues. In particular, the occupying forces take people away by bus from the village of Velyka Lepetykha. Travel by private transport is prohibited. The Russian occupiers were seen moving archival documents from the administrative buildings in Kherson. Russian losses were confirmed in the area of Muzikyvka, Kherson Oblast, on October 29. Thus, as a result of fire damage, the anti-aircraft missile-gun complex “Pantsir-S1” was destroyed, and up to ten units of other Russian military equipment were damaged. 12 invaders were destroyed in the area of Snihurivka, Mykolaiv Oblast.

Azov-Black Sea Maritime Operational Area:

The forces of the Russian Black Sea Fleet continue to project force on the coast and the continental part of Ukraine and control the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The ultimate goal is to deprive Ukraine of access to the Black Sea and to maintain control over the captured territories.

The Russian fleet has 10 ships and boats at sea. They are located along the southwestern coast of Crimea. Among them is 1 Kalibr cruise missile carrier: a Project 21631 small missile ship carrying a total of 8 missiles.

In the Sea of Azov waters, 6 patrol ships and boats are located on the approaches to the Mariupol and Berdyansk seaports to block the Azov coast.

Russian aviation continues to fly from the Crimean airfields of Belbek and Hvardiyske over the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Over the past day, 12 combat aircraft from Belbek and Saki airfields were involved.

On the morning of November 2, the Russian military carried out a missile attack with three Kh- 59 cruise missiles on Odesa Oblast. The attack was carried out from the direction of the Black Sea, from Su-30 aircraft. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down all missiles over the sea.

“The Grain initiative”: On Wednesday, November 2, the delegations of the UN, Turkey and Ukraine agreed not to plan the movement of ships through the grain corridor in the Black Sea. This was reported by the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) press service. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that ships under the Turkish flag would continue to enter Ukrainian ports and take grain for export. Those vessels that are already in the grain corridor will continue to move. Akar said: “Ships that have left Ukrainian ports and are going to sea will continue their journey. There are no problems with the departure of ships under the Turkish flag.

Meanwhile, on November 2, Russia decided to return to the “grain agreement”, so the corridors for the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea should resume from noon on Wednesday, November 2. This was announced by the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said that the head of the Russian Defense Ministry had called the Turkish Minister of Defense and announced Russia’s return to the “grain agreement”. According to him, the corridor for the export of Ukrainian grain will be operational starting at noon on Wednesday, November 2.

Russian operational losses from 24.02 to 02.11

Personnel – almost 72,700 people (+800);

Tanks 2,714 (+16)

Armored combat vehicles – 5,525 (+24);

Artillery systems – 1,733 (+3);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 387 (+4); Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 198 (+1); Vehicles and fuel tanks – 4,153 (+10); Aircraft – 277 (+1);

Helicopters – 258 (+1);

UAV operational and tactical level – 1,438 (+23); Intercepted cruise missiles – 397 (0);

Boats / ships – 16 (0).

Ukraine, general news

American historian and writer Yale University professor Timothy Snyder became the ambassador of the fundraising platform UNITED24, the Office of the President of Ukraine reported. He

became the second ambassador for United24 after actor Mark Hamill, who will focus his efforts on raising funds for the “Defense and demining” direction.

International diplomatic aspect

Russia’s Foreign Ministry published a statement “on preventing nuclear war.” Like in the Cold War times, any message from Moscow should be read as the opposite. Usually, a threat begins by mentioning that Russia bears “a special responsibility” for “strengthening international security and strategic stability.” In such a way, the Russian diplomats remind the US and the rest that Moscow possesses the largest nuclear arsenal and may do whatever it wants, for nobody can stop a nuclear superpower. Recalling “solely defensive goals” of the nuclear arms and that they might be used for nuclear deterrence Russia and “exclusively in response to an aggression involving the use of weapons of mass destruction,” Russians add “a bit” of ambiguity. “An aggression with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy” is such a vague reason that allows anyone in the Kremlin to justify deployment. Who can check Vladimir Putin, that enjoys more power than the formally non-democratic secretaries- general of the Communist Party of the USSR? To make the threatening message clear, Russians condemn “irresponsible and impudent actions aimed at undermining our national security,” which means American “proxy war” against Russia, and pretend to be a constructive power that wishes “to avoid any military clash of nuclear powers.”

Russia calls on the “nuclear five,” which means merely the United States, “to give up the dangerous attempts to infringe on vital interests of each other while balancing on the brink of a direct armed conflict and encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction, which can lead to catastrophic consequences.” So, according to Kremlin, it’s the West led by the US is “threatening” peace and security in Europe, not Russia that started the largest military conflict in Europe since the global conflict ignited by the Nazis and Bolsheviks allies in 1939.

The stated goal is to set up a “more robust architecture of international security based on ensuring predictability and global strategic stability, as well as on the principles of equal rights, indivisible security and mutual account of core interests of the parties.” It translates as the US must accept the Kremlin’s spheres of influence by accepting limited sovereignty of those beyond “nuclear five,” (“equal rights”), the US must not interfere in Russia’s violations of human rights and authoritarian rule at home (“core interests” of the parties), the US must disband NATO or at least make it irrelevant by providing Russia with veto power over security of the others (“indivisible security”).

While Moscow threatens Washington, DC, Pyongyang threatens Seoul and Washington, DC. North Korea fired about 17 missiles into the sea, including one that landed less than 60 km off South Korea’s coast. “If [the US] does not want any serious developments not suited to its security interests, it should stop the useless and ineffective war exercises at once. If not, it will have to totally take the blame for all the consequences,” stated North Korea’s foreign ministry. In the meantime, the White House said that North Korea is covertly shipping a “significant number” of artillery shells to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia has shared intelligence with the US that suggests Iran could be preparing for an imminent attack on the Kingdom. As a copycat of the Russian statement “on preventing nuclear war,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the country “adheres to the policy of good neighborliness, acts on the basis of mutual respect and within the framework of international law, seeks to strengthen stability and security in the region and will continue constructive interaction with neighboring countries,” rejecting a hostile intention. Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian military intelligence, Iran plans to send sophisticated Arash-2 drones to Russia. It will be a part of a large package that includes “a batch of more than 200 combat drones Shahed-136 and Mohajer-6.” Iran still denies supplying Russia with kamikaze drones despite hard evidence that says the opposite.

Russian mercenaries committed yet another massacre, killing at least 13 civilians in the region of Mopti, Malian. The so-called Wagner PMC is active in Ukraine, Syria, and a dozen African countries. The PMC is run by the closest aid of Vladimir Putin, who seems to be gaining more power in Russia and might be in a contest to be chosen as Putin’s heir. The Human Rights Watch report alleged that Russian mercenaries have been committing murders and tortures of civilians in the Central African Republic since 2019. Besides Moscow’s support of the most brutal regimes, war crimes and genocide are Russia’s modus operandi everywhere. Bringing Russia to justice in Ukraine is the only way to put an end to a culture of genocide and a clear threat to global peace and security.

“I have given instructions to the Ministry of Defense to resume our full participation in this work,” Putin said, announcing that Russia is in the “grain deal” again. Russia suspended its participation in the deal over the weekend, accusing Ukraine that its military used the “grain corridor” (some 200 km away from Sevastopol!) to conduct a drone attack on Russian warships engaged in a missile attack against Ukraine. Three bulkers loaded with grain departed Ukraine on Tuesday despite Russia suspending its participation. Meanwhile, Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN have carried out vessel inspections without Russia, allowing some shipments to continue. “Even if Russia behaves hesitantly because it didn’t receive the same benefits, we will continue decisively our efforts to serve humanity,” Turkey’s President said in a speech. Vladimir Putin had a choice of targeting civilian cargo vessels or Turkey’s navies, which could have led to the Article 5 response or a return to the deal. So, his hunger blackmail failed.

Russia, relevant news

In October, Russia became the largest oil supplier to India, overtaking the traditionally dominant suppliers – Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Economic Times writes with reference to data from the energy cargo tracker Vortexa. In October, the Russian Federation supplied India with 946,000 barrels of oil per day – this was 22% of the total oil imports to India. It is followed by Iraq (20.5%) and Saudi Arabia (16%). Compared to September, total crude oil imports rose 5% in October, with imports from Russia up 8%. At the same time, India imported more oil from Russia by sea than the EU for the first time: the volume of supplies to India was 34% greater than to the EU.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade allowed the parallel import of alcohol brands Jagermeister, Jameson, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker, Absolut, Aperol, White Horse, William

Lawsons’s, Hennessy, Moet, Bacardi, Baileys, Capitan Morgan. This means that the products will be imported into the country without the producer’s consent. The Ministry also said that the updated list for parallel imports might include Marvel, Disney Pixar and DC Comics products.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the decline in Russia’s GDP in September accelerated to 5% in annual terms and annual inflation as of October 31 was 12.69%.

Russian airlines reduced traffic in September by 20%, Russian Federal Statistics agency Rosstat reported.


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