Russo-Ukrainian War, day 966: Zelenskyy reveals Victory plan, as NATO chief Rutte “can’t fully support it”

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Military

Frontline report: Russian soldiers surrender to Ukrainians at Kurakhove, are subsequently killed by their own artillery. Russian commanders have resorted to harsh measures as losses mount, including firing on their own troops to prevent surrenders.

Russia seizes 5.5 times more Ukrainian territory in past two months than in all of 2023. A shortage of weapons for Ukrainian forces may be contributing to accelerated Russian advances, analysts suggest.

Russian colonel linked to military intelligence shot dead near Moscow – Ukraine silent. A high-ranking GRU official, the deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces Training Center, was shot at close range in Solnechnogorsk-2, according to Russian media.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine strikes Russia 7,000 times in 2024, CNN reports – but context is important. However, this figure pales in comparison to the scale of Russian attacks on Ukraine, which may outpace Ukrainian efforts by fivefold.

UK intel: Russia’s stealth drone program suffers major setback due to costly friendly fire. This incident not only represents a significant setback for Russia’s drone program but also potentially hands valuable intelligence to Ukraine and its Western allies.

Syrskyi: Britain prepares proposals for strikes deep into Russia as part of victory plan. The UK is considering plans that could enable Ukraine to hit Russian military facilities far beyond the front lines, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi revealed.

International

Biden announces $ 425 million military aid for Ukraine in Zelenskyy call. The aid includes critical air defense systems and long-range weapons, Zelenskyy says.

Biden declines meeting with Zelenskyy in Europe, opts for phone call, White House says. The crucial Ramstein format meeting, originally scheduled for last week but canceled due to a hurricane in the US, will now take place in November.

Ukraine to receive aging Abrams tanks in latest Australian military aid package. The latest announcement will bring the total value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war to more than $1.3 billion, while overall government support now tops $1.5 billion.

Nordic-Baltic countries to provide Ukraine with joint energy package before winter. The support aims to alleviate the suffering caused by Russia’s attacks by contributing to basic needs such as heating and clean water during the cold winter months.

Politico: France set to miss $ 3,2 bn mark for Ukraine aid. France’s efforts to support Ukraine militarily are being hampered by domestic economic pressures, including a potential 6 percent GDP deficit.

NATO Secretary General Rutte: Ukraine must negotiate with Russia from a position of strength. Rutte’s comments aim to unify the allies around the common goal of supporting Ukraine without pressuring it into negotiations.

Humanitarian and social impact

Kherson completely without electricity due to ongoing Russian shelling. Russian forces targeted critical infrastructure, educational facilities, and residential areas across the Kherson Oblast over the pas day, according to local authorities.

Russian night attack causes fire at industrial facility in Ternopil Oblast. Russia launched over 130 drones at Ukraine in a night of widespread attacks, with one strike causing a fire at an industrial facility in the country’s west.

Political and legal developments

Zelenskyy unveils 5-point “Victory Plan” to Ukrainian Parliament. From seeking NATO membership to proposing a non-nuclear deterrent package on Ukrainian soil, Zelenskyy’s strategy outlines a path not just to end the war, but to secure Ukraine’s future role in European defense.

“I can’t support Zelenskyy’s whole Victory plan,” says NATO chief Rutte. However, NATO will meet its €40 billion military aid target for Ukraine.

Ukraine urges NATO invitation before Biden leaves office, ambassador says. This could solidify Biden’s legacy.

New developments

North Korea announces increase of 1.4 million personnel in its army. This comes after Ukrainian intelligence reports about the formation of a 3,000-strong North Korean battalion within the Russian 11th Airborne Brigade.

ISW: North Korean military aid could allow Putin to avoid mobilization. The ISW suggests that Russia’s partnership with North Korea is part of a broader strategy to avoid wider mobilization.

Read our earlier daily review here.