Monday, October 21. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine
by Katya Soldak · ForbesDispatches from Ukraine. Day 971.
Nearly 11,000 North Korean troops are currently training in Russia to prepare for deployment in Ukraine, with readiness set for Nov. 1, said Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, according to military analysis publication TWZ (The War Zone). These troops will be equipped with Russian military hardware, and initial deployments will include a cadre of 2,600 soldiers to be sent to Russia’s Kursk oblast, or region, to help repel a Ukrainian offensive. President Zelenskyy warned that the involvement of North Korean forces could escalate the conflict into a broader international war. While U.S. officials have expressed concern over North Korea's military support for Russia, they have not yet confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops.
In the third month of Ukraine's incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, its forces downed a rare Russian "Orion" drone on Oct. 20. According to Oryx, a project verifying military equipment losses in conflicts, this type of advanced drone has only been downed seven times since the start of the war. The "Orion" is a reconnaissance and strike drone with a wingspan of 16 meters (52 feet), capable of carrying up to 200 kilograms (440 lbs.) of payload, including air-to-ground guided missiles and aerial bombs. Armed with such equipment, the drone can destroy even heavily armored vehicles.
Ukraine is developing the “Sting,” a new drone specifically made to intercept Iran-designed Shahed kamikaze drones, British daily The Telegraph reported. The Kremlin is currently launching between 30 and 80 Shahed drones at Ukraine daily, with the aim of exhausting the country's air defenses. “Sting,” which features advanced first-person view (FPV) controls through VR technology, is anticipated to fly at speeds exceeding 100 mph and at altitudes of around 10,000 feet. By utilizing a drone to counter the growing number of daily attacks, Ukraine aims to preserve its limited supply of expensive Western air defense missiles.
Kharkiv region. A woman was killed in Ukraine’s northern city of Kupiansk by a Russian artillery strike on Oct. 18, leading war crimes prosecutors to launch an investigation.
A strategic railroad hub, Kupiansk has been under mandatory evacuation orders since last week, as Russian troops continue to advance on the city. The government has increased the pace of civilian evacuations in recent days as constant Russian shelling has made it difficult for crews to restore electricity and other services. Kupiansk came under Russian occupation at the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and was liberated by Ukrainian forces six months later.
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Donetsk region. Russian forces executed two Ukrainian soldiers near the eastern frontline city of Selidove on Oct. 18, according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general. Reports indicate that the soldiers were restrained and shot at close range, reflecting an alarming, growing trend of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian troops. This incident comes amid intensified Russian efforts to encircle Selidove, deploying significant infantry in their assault.
Zaporizhzhia region. A Russian missile strike on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Oct. 21 left at least three people dead and 15 injured, some critically, said regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The attack hit a kindergarten and damaged residential areas, prompting an investigation for violations of the international laws of war that prohibit the deliberate targeting of civilians.
Dnipropetrovsk region. Kryvyi Rih, the central eastern region's second-largest city, has faced three consecutive days of missile attacks, including a so called “double tap” strike on Oct. 20 that injured a police officer during rescue operations. The attacks injured at least 12 residents.
September was the deadliest month so far this year for Ukraine’s civilians due to Russian attacks, with at least 208 fatalities and 1,220 injuries, according to a United Nations report. Nearly half of those killed were over 60 years old; nine children were killed and 76 others injured. The surge in casualties is primarily due to relentless missile strikes and intensified use of glide bombs, particularly in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, along with drone attacks near the front lines in Kherson. Notably, 92% of civilian casualties occurred in territories under Ukrainian government control.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, more than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have undergone extensive training in partner nations, according to Ukraine’s armed forces. This comprehensive effort includes basic military instruction, specialist training, and staff coordination. France has trained nearly 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including a full brigade, and is preparing pilots for advanced fighter jets such as the American F-16 and France’s Mirage 2000-5F.
Nearly a quarter of Ukrainian refugees in Europe plan to settle abroad permanently, according to a recent survey by the IFO Institute, a German think tank. Shortly after fleeing their homeland, around 60% of refugees expressed a desire to return to Ukraine when it felt safe. But this figure has dropped by an average of 4.7 percentage points every 100 days since. By mid-2024, only 35% still plan to return once conditions improve, while 25% remain undecided. The protracted conflict has led to a growing number envisioning a future outside Ukraine, with just 4% planning to return soon, regardless of safety.
On Oct. 19 Ukraine repatriated 95 defenders from Russian captivity, including 28 who had been sentenced to long prison terms by Russian courts, and 20 facing life sentences. Many of those released defended the Donetsk region, including—Mariupol—one of the most damaged cities of the war. Several individuals suffer from severe health issues due to torture and malnutrition. Ukraine returned an equal number of Russian (POWs) in the exchange, which was facilitated with assistance from the United Arab Emirates. A day earlier, Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 501 of its fallen soldiers.
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) has completed its fifth review of Ukraine's Extended Fund Facility (EFF), unlocking a $1.1 billion disbursement for budget support. With this latest review, the IMF is satisfied that Ukraine is meeting benchmarks, such as improved governance; this tranche brings the IMF’s total assistance under the program to $8.7 billion. Despite the ongoing war and persistent Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine's economy remains resilient, with growth, moderate inflation, and strong reserves supported by external aid. The EFF, part of a $151.4 billion international support package, focuses on sustaining macroeconomic stability, fiscal reform, and long-term growth as Ukraine works toward joining the European Union.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new $400 million military assistance package for Ukraine while meeting with President Zelenskyy during an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Oct. 21. The package will include ammunition, military equipment, and armaments. Austin's visit to Kyiv follows President Biden's recent trip to Berlin, where he discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine with leaders from Germany, France, and the U.K. Additionally, reports indicate that the U.S. is prepared to offer Ukraine up to $20 billion through a G7 loan, to be sourced from profits from frozen Russian assets.
Culture Front. The Ukrainian Cultural Festival, showcasing literary, cinema, and art performances, and featuring Ukrainian writers such as Halyna Kruk, Marianna Kiyanovska, Ostap Slyvynsky, runs through Oct. 31 in New York. Sundance Film Festival winner “Porcelain War” and “La Palisiada” are among the films on view. Based on real events, Taras Tomenko’s film “Slovo House” portrays the lives of writers and poets in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in the 1930s, illustrating Moscow’s efforts to eradicate Ukrainian creatives during Ukraine’s cultural renaissance, against the backdrop of one of the largest genocides of the 20th century: the Holodomor (famine), which killed millions of Ukrainians.
Nina Murashkina and Xavier Escala’s feministic paintings and sculptures are on view at Mriya gallery in New York City’s TriBeCa neighborhood through Oct. 27.
The Ukrainian Museum in New York City’s East Village, will host a discussion about Decolonizing Ukrainian Art on Oct. 24. Its current exhibits feature Ukrainian modernism and artwork by Alexandra Exter.
A special performance by the Orchestra for Ukraine, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, with musicians from more than a dozen countries, will take place at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 23rd. The concert will feature world-renowned musicians and composers, the Dumka chorus, and the Oratorio Society of New York, and will be hosted by actor and director Liev Schreiber, co-founder of the BlueCheck Ukraine foundation, which helps fund local aid organizations.
By Danylo Nosov, Karina L. Tahiliani