Russo-Ukrainian War, day 975: Russian forces suffer record casualty rates as North Korean troops move towards the frontline

Military

UK intel: Russian forces enter Selydove, providing additional options for advancing to Pokrovsk. The fall of Selydove would give Russian forces control of vital ground along the E50 highway, effectively compromising Ukraine’s southern defense line to Pokrovsk.

Russian Rosgvardia convoy attacked in Chechnya. Unknown people shot at Rosgvardia Ural truck, killing one serviceman.

Frontline report: Ukrainian marines survive heroic last stand during withdrawal from Kursk’s Lyubimovka. Russian pincer movements isolated Ukrainian bridgeheads near Olgovka and Lyubimovka, compelling Ukrainian units to withdraw to defensible positions.

Intelligence and Technology

The Washington Post: Satellite images show unusual expansion at closed Soviet biolaboratory near Sergiev Posad. Satellite images reveal a sprawling new complex taking shape – one that experts say bears the hallmarks of a high-security biological research facility.

Ukrainian intelligence: Russian forces assign an interpreter for every 30 North Korean soldiers. Intercepted military communications reveal the logistical challenges facing Russian officers as they scramble to integrate these foreign forces.

Estonian intelligence: Russia may lose up to 40,000 military personnel in October. Russia might suffer one of the highest levels of casualties this month, as Russian forces continue to rely on what Estonian intelligence officials describe as “meat assaults”.

Rheinmetall delivers 20 more Marder IFVs to boost Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Germany’s Rheinmetall has delivered 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, strengthening Kyiv’s defense capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia. This brings the total number of Marders supplied to Ukraine to approximately 200 since March 2023.

WSJ: Russia provided satellite data to Houthis for commercial vessel attacks. Since November 2023, Houthi militants carried out over 100 attacks on vessels.

International

Reuters: EU plans stricter Russian sanctions enforcement amid Trump comeback concerns. European officials are developing mechanisms to ensure long-term Russian sanctions effectiveness, preparing for possible US policy shifts under a potential Trump presidency.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: North Korean troops in Russia threaten regional stability. Tokyo warns of regional security risks as North Korea deepens military ties with Russia.

South Korean intelligence: North Korea to send more troops to Russia. People familiar with the intelligence said that NATO could in response intensify support for Ukraine and build up partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Diplomatic dispute erupts between Hungary and Croatia over Ukraine. The Croatian minister noted that his country should support Ukraine, otherwise, it could turn into Serbia and Hungary ”which are now publicly supporting Putin.”

Norway allocates $ 105 million for Ukrainian energy infrastructure recovery. The funds will specifically support regions in installing solar panels at schools and hospitals, providing both additional power to the national power grid and backup power systems for critical infrastructure.

China claims no knowledge of North Korean troops in Russia as EU condemns the deployment. EU condemns D​PRK’s military cooperation with Russia, as China denies knowledge and calls for de-escalation of “Ukraine crisis.”

EU: Involvement of North Korean troops on Russian side demonstrates Russia is not interested in peace. High Representative Josep Borrell said EU is “deeply alarmed” by the deployment of North Korean troops against Ukraine and will coordinate response.

Political and Legal Developments

Georgia’s pro-Russian ruling party seeks constitutional majority in tomorrow’s election. Georgia’s parliamentary election on 26 October will determine the country’s path between European integration and Russian influence.

Belarus, Russia’s closest ally, accuses 12 Ukrainians of spying. Since the beginning of Russia’s all-out war, Minsk has increased detentions, conducting strict interrogations and phone checks at border points for Ukrainians.

Ukrainian NGOs call on ICC to address UN Secretary-General’s meeting with Putin. A joint statement condemns Guterres’s visit to Russia and his meeting with Vladimir Putin, who is currently under an ICC arrest warrant.

New Developments

WSJ uncovers Musk’s regular communications with Kremlin since 2022. The investigation revealed discussions about Starlink, Ukraine, and personal matters amid Musk’s growing Trump campaign support.

French retail giant Auchan negotiates final terms for Russia departure. French hypermarket chain Auchan has found local buyers for its Russian operations and entered final negotiations for market exit, per French media.

Putin doesn’t deny deployment of North Korean troops. “If there are images, then they reflect something,” Putin said in response to a journalist’s question about North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia.

Read our earlier daily review here.