Thursday, October 17. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine

Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 968.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his “victory plan,” which aims to compel the Kremlin to accept a negotiated peace, to the European Council on Oct. 17. Zelensky emphasized European unity as a critical defense for Ukraine, as well as the continent, calling for a second Peace Summit to solidify his comprehensive peace framework. The “victory plan” comprises five key pillars: a prompt invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, shifting the war onto Russian soil, deploying a non-nuclear strategic deterrence package, attracting foreign investment in Ukraine’s valuable resources, and preparing for the post-war era. Zelenskyy urged European leaders to back the plan, with the goal of ending the war by next year. The Ukrainian leader presented his plan to the Ukrainian Parliament a day earlier.

During a press conference following the European Council meeting, President Zelenskyy warned that the war could morph into a broader conflict, citing Ukrainian intelligence reports that North Korea is preparing to deploy 10,000 troops to fight along Russian soldiers against his country. Zelenskyy revealed that North Korean officers are already on the ground in the temporarily occupied territories, training Russian soldiers, as Moscow struggles with battlefield losses and mobilization efforts. Zelensky said that Russia aims to bolster its forces with 10 thousand trained soldiers from North Korea to compensate for public resistance to internal conscription.

On Oct. 16, President Joseph R. Biden announced a new $425 million aid package for Ukraine, to include additional air defense systems, air-to-ground munitions, and armored vehicles. This military aid follows a $375 million package unveiled in September during a visit to Washington by Ukraine’s president.

Australia is set to deliver 49 decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a $245 million military aid package. More than a year after Ukraine expressed interest in the aging fleet of American-made tanks, the Australian government has confirmed their transfer. Defense Minister Pat Conroy will brief his Ukrainian counterpart on the new support package to strengthen Ukraine's armored capabilities. The U.S. has already approved the transfer of key equipment, as required under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Norway will deliver six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov following a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart during a Ukraine-NATO Council gathering in Brussels on Oct. 17. Norway’s decision to provide the fighter jets came in July, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of 2024. In addition, Norway has committed almost $275 million to bolster Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in anticipation of the harsh winter.

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Also at the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council in Brussels on Oct. 17, Ukraine and Greece signed a bilateral security agreement, strengthening defense cooperation. Greece pledged to provide additional resources for Ukraine’s military, including training of pilots and technical staff for F-16 fighter jets.

The Netherlands plans to bolster its military support for Ukraine with a $290 million contribution for large-caliber artillery ammunition, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced on Oct. 17. The funding will facilitate the supply of crucial munitions in 2025 and foster growth in the European defense sector.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin has reported an alarming rise in the executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces. In an interview with Belgian daily La Libre, he highlighted the systematic use of torture and extrajudicial killings as tactics of war designed to instill fear. Kostin emphasized the need to hold Russia accountable for over 140,000 documented war crimes.

Ukraine's drone industry has expanded more than tenfold from 2023, according to research by the KSE institute, an academic think tank, together with government defense innovation platform Brave1. Following the establishment of mass production capabilities, the focus has shifted toward enhancing efficiency and integrating cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced navigation systems. The report highlights significant advancements in developing aerial, maritime, and ground drones, as well as electronic warfare systems, which disable or confuse enemy communications or weapons using various types of electromagnetic waves, from radio to radar to microwave.

The United Kingdom has announced its largest sanctions package against Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers, targeting 18 crude oil vessels and 4 LNG (liquified natural gas) carriers, which raised the number of sanctioned tankers to 43. These ships will be banned from British ports and denied access to critical maritime services. The targeted vessels are estimated to have transported approximately $4.9 billion worth of crude in the past year. The sanctions also hit Russia’s state-owned shipping giant Sovcomflot, which has tried renaming vessels to avoid restrictions.

France has announced a that its military assistance to Ukraine will fall short of the $3 billion initially projected for 2024. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that the aid will total just $2.2 billion, due to budget cutbacks. These are necessary to reduce the budget deficit, which is projected to balloon to more than 6% of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) this year, far above the 3% ceiling imposed on European Union member countries. Budget cuts to reduce the deficit have led to adjustments in the country's defense commitments.

By Danylo Nosov, Karina L. Tahiliani