Russo-Ukrainian War, day 959: Ukraine destroys 400 Russian Shahed drones in Krasnodar Krai

Exclusives

Military

Ukrainian Army destroys 400 Shahed drones in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. The Ukrainian Defense Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine, successfully struck a Shahed UAV storage facility in Russia on 9 October.

Russians gather assault groups near Robotyne and Pryiutne in southern Ukraine, military says. They’re reportedly conducting reconnaissance and may launch small-scale infantry attacks within a week.

Ukraine’s Intelligence Chief Budanov leads key operation in Vovchansk. The special mission, which eliminated dozens of elite Russian fighters, resulted in full Ukrainian control of the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant after weeks of planning.

Frontline report: Russian forces take Vuhledar after two-year siege. Russian forces crossed multiple gullies, lowlands, and rivers in their attempt to encircle Vadar, while Ukrainians held the high ground on opposing hill ridges.

Russia attacks Ukraine overnight, injuring 5 in Odesa. Ukrainian air defense intercepted 21 out of 22 Russian drones and reported three ballistic missile strikes on Poltava Oblast in a night of widespread attacks.

Russia claims UAV attacks in three oblasts at night. Officials in Krasnodar Krai, Bryansk, and Rostov oblasts claim their air defenses thwarted multiple drone incursions from Ukraine overnight.

As of 9 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: 664120 (+1150)
• Tanks: 8944 (+4)
• APV: 17751 (+11)
• Artillery systems: 19222 (+19)
• MLRS: 1223
• Anti-aircraft systems: 973 (+1)
• Aircraft: 369
• Helicopters: 328
• UAV: 16718 (+32)
• Cruise missiles: 2618
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 26240 (+55)

Intelligence and technology

Russia bans Discord, disrupting its military communication in Ukraine. The decision draws criticism from Russian “milbloggers” and highlights the military’s reliance on foreign platforms.

UK intel: Russia proposes 25% defense budget increase, social cuts in 2025. The draft budget has a 16% cut in social spending, prioritizing military funding amid 9% inflation and economic challenges from excess demand, per UK intelligence.

Germany delivers two IRIS-T anti-air systems to Ukraine. Maj-Gen Freuding announced Germany will send two air defense systems, dozens of vehicles and tanks, and large quantities of artillery shells to Ukraine by year-end.

CNN: US military complies list of American weapons systems that Ukraine repeatedly requested. The US military’s top commander in Europe has identified American weapons that could aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but have not yet been provided by the Biden administration.

Russian weapons depot with North Korean ammunition and bombs in Bryansk Oblast reportedly struck. Ukrainian officials claim a successful strike on a Russian arsenal storing foreign-supplied munitions about 114 km from their shared border.

International

Ukraine advances EU accession talks, presents financial control plans to EU Commission. Ukraine has outlined its plans for implementing state financial control policies to the European Commission as part of the official screening process, marking a significant step in its ongoing efforts to align with EU standards amid the ongoing war.

Ukrainian PM Shmyhal: Ukraine needs support as it prepares for harsh winter amid Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal outlines Ukraine’s priorities ahead of the 2024-2025 winter, focusing on energy restoration, water supply for southern regions, and protection of key infrastructure.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: Putin is accountable for war, not Ukraine that fights for its freedom. In a new statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned attempts to blame Ukraine for the war instigated by Russia.

Ukraine’s key Ramstein defense talks on hold after Biden cancels Germany trip. A meeting in Germany’s Ramstein has been postponed after US President Joe Biden canceled his trip to focus on Hurricane Milton preparations.

Lithuania allocates additional €13 million for Ukraine’s recovery projects. Lithuania has announced a new allocation of €13 million for recovery projects in Ukraine, bringing its total support to nearly €1.5 billion since the onset of the war, as the country continues to provide military, financial, and humanitarian aid.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: Not all EU countries have abandoned Russian fossil fuels since 2022. In a recent statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the EU’s substantial progress in decreasing dependence on Russian energy, highlighting a 90% drop in oil imports.

Rutte: Ukraine faces its hardest winter yet—NATO must and will do more. NATO chief Mark Rutte has called on allies to increase arms supplies to Ukraine as the country faces what could be its hardest winter since the Russian invasion.

Ramstein meetings may be postponed, sources say. The Ramstein format meeting on Ukraine’s defense may be postponed asto US officials canceled their visit due to Hurricane Milton’s approach to the US.

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukrainian journalists report Russian occupiers torture resident of Kherson Oblast to death. Russian invaders tortured 45-year-old Volodymyr Zakabluk to death in Kakhovka, the Center for Journalistic Investigations reported.

Political and legal developments

UK imposes sanctions on Russian chemical warfare commander. Britain’s Foreign Secretary has accused Russia of deploying First World War-era choking gas on Ukrainian battlefields.

Read our earlier daily review here