Here is the situation on Monday, October 9, 2023. (593 Day)
Ukraine’s Air Force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, has warned of an anticipated surge in Russian drone attacks this winter. Ihnat revealed that Russia had already deployed a “record” number of over 500 Iranian-made Shahed drones in September, surpassing the approximately 1,000 deployed over a six-month period last winter.
Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported another harrowing night in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, which experienced 59 Russian attacks resulting in 12 injuries, including a mother and her nine-month-old baby. The assaults also caused damage to several houses and gas pipelines.
In Konstantinivka, Donetsk regional Governor Ihor Moroz stated that four people, including a nine-year-old girl, were injured in a rocket attack. Multiple homes and other structures suffered damage.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces highlighted the challenging battlefield conditions in the east and south, with intense artillery and mortar fire affecting areas such as Bakhmut, Kupiansk, and Lyman. Despite these challenges, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces inflicted casualties and equipment losses on the Russians.
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence reported that Ukraine has likely liberated around 125 square kilometers (48 sq miles) of territory in the Velyka Novosilka area, west of Vuhledar, since the start of Kyiv’s counteroffensive. It also suggested that Russian troops are expected to maintain a defensive stance to safeguard against potential future Ukrainian offensives.
In terms of diplomacy and politics, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed solidarity with Israel during a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s support for Israel in the face of a significant attack and offered condolences for the multiple victims.
On a different note, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda remarked that a conflict between Hamas and Israel could divert global attention from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, potentially working in Moscow’s favor.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
