Russo-Ukrainian war, day 974: Russia deploys first North Korean troops to Kursk Oblast

Exclusives

Military

Russia uses golf carts and motorcycles for assaults in Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces are utilizing golf carts and motorcycles for quick assaults near Siversk, attempting to gain ground before the winter freeze.

ISW: Russian troops advance in northeastern Selydove while main objective stalls. Russians advanced near Selydove, potentially forcing a Ukrainian withdrawal, but this gain jeopardized their main push toward the strategic city of Pokrovsk, per ISW.

Ukraine repels Russia’s attack involving 50 drones, 4 missiles; two UAVs again breach Romania airspace. The assault injured at least one civilian. Ukraine says it downed 40 drones. Kyiv, Starokostiantyniv, and Khmelnytskyi were among the targets.

As of 24 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: 684280 (+1240)
• Tanks: 9090 (+2)
• APV: 18254 (+25)
• Artillery systems: 19719 (+45)
• MLRS: 1236 (+2)
• Anti-aircraft systems: 981
• Aircraft: 369
• Helicopters: 329
• UAV: 17597 (+108)
• Cruise missiles: 2625
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 27286 (+69)

Intelligence and Technology

Ukrainian military plans new Cyber Forces branch amid ongoing Russia’s war. The new branch aims to strengthen defense capabilities in cyberspace alongside land, sea, air, and space domains.

Ukrainian tech firm launches affordable thermal cameras for military drones. Odd Systems launches domestically produced Kurbas-256 thermal cameras for military drones, offering advanced features and competitive pricing from $250.

UK completes basic training for 200 Ukrainian future F-16 pilots. The latest graduation was attended by UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Ukraine’s Ambassador Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Baykar signs new cooperation agreement with Ukraine at defense industry fair. Turkish drone manufacturer disclosed no details about the deal, but Ukraine’s MFA hinted it may be related to Kızılelma jet drone production in Ukraine.

International

HUR: North Korean troops are already in Russia. North Korean forces have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region to join the war against Ukraine, with approximately 12,000 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, now undergoing training at Russian military ranges.

Kyodo: 2,000 North Korean soldiers move to Russia’s Kursk Oblast near Ukraine, Ukrainian military source says. D​PRK troops relocate to western Russia near Ukraine, following US confirmation of 3,000 troops arriving for training.

North Korea isolates families of soldiers sent to Russia, conceals deployment domestically. North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia for military support, with plans to deploy 10,000 by December 2024, per ROK’s intelligence.

White House confirms North Korea sent 3,000 troops to Russia for military training. D​PRK deployed the soldiers to eastern Russia in early-to-mid October 2024, with troops currently undergoing combat training, potentially preparing for deployment against Ukraine.

South Korea’s response to North Korean troops in Russia may include arms transfers. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suggested a more flexible approach to his country’s military support for Ukraine, following reports of North Korean troops being deployed to Russia as part of a growing military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Politico: Seven NATO members oppose immediate membership invitation for Ukraine. US, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain are slow-walking Ukraine’s request for the immediate invitation, despite Zelenskyy’s insistence on wartime invitation necessity

Austin: US to invest in Ukraine’s long-range weapons production, focusing on drones. The US Defense Secretary noted the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drones at striking distant targets and cost advantages over traditional missiles.

Territorial integrity, NATO membership “key issues” for Ukraine peace talks, says former US ambassador Yovanovitch. Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch emphasized that territorial integrity, security guarantees, Russian reparations, and justice for war crimes are essential to Ukraine’s path forward.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Russia’s war kills 91 media representatives in Ukraine. The Institute of Mass Information reports that as of October 24, 91 media workers have died in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion, including 12 journalists who were killed while performing their professional duties.

Reuters: Ukrainian corn seed exports to EU surge amid wartime trade shifts. Ukraine’s corn seed exports to the EU rose to $121 million in 2023, up from $22 million in 2021, though European farmers fear increased competition.

Political and Legal Developments

Speaker of Ukrainian Parliament Stefanchuk: Ukraine’s resolve to reclaim Crimea strengthens. During the Third Crimea Platform Summit, Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk declared that Ukraine will never give up Crimea or any occupied land, calling the region “closer and dearer than ever.”

Ukrainian official reports over 1,000 acts of resistance to Russian occupation in Crimea. Speaking at the Crimean Platform Summit, Tamila Tasheva emphasized that Crimea, like other occupied territories, is yearning for freedom, with over 1,000 acts of resistance recorded since 2022.

Military contractor and blogger arrested on suspicion of sharing Ukrainian military locations. SBU detained a 35-year-old female military contractor and a pro-Kremlin blogger in Kharkiv Oblast for allegedly collecting and transmitting sensitive information to FSB.

Western leaders affirm commitment to Zelenskyy’s victory plan at Crimea Platform Summit.

Read the daily review for Thu 24 October 2024 here