617 Day of the Russia-Ukraine War: The Ongoing Crisis

Ukraine's commander-in-chief predicts that the conflict is evolving into a new, protracted phase that favors Russia. This year, Russia has intensified its shelling of numerous cities and settlements.

AzureNovember 2, 2023

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617 Day of the Russia-Ukraine War

As of Wednesday, November 2, 2023, the current situation is as follows:

ussia-Ukraine War 617 da

The commander-in-chief of Ukraine has noted a shift in the war with Russia towards a new phase marked by static and attritional combat, expressing concern that this change may favor Moscow.

Furthermore, Ukraine reported that Russia has targeted over 100 settlements in the past 24 hours, surpassing the highest daily shelling count this year.

In a separate incident, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, unwittingly spoke to a prank caller pretending to be an African leader. During the call, she mentioned a general weariness regarding the situation in Ukraine and hinted at having some undisclosed ideas to navigate a solution.

According to Ukraine’s military, over 260 civilians have tragically lost their lives due to mine and explosive incidents throughout the 20-month-long conflict with Russia.

Furthermore, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that North Korea has shipped more than 10 consignments of munitions to Russia for use in the Ukrainian conflict, including an excess of 1 million artillery rounds. In addition, South Korea’s intelligence agency revealed in a Wednesday briefing, attended by a lawmaker, that North Korea is in the final stages of preparing for the launch of a spy satellite, with a high likelihood of success on their third attempt.Meanwhile, the governor of Kherson in eastern Ukraine reported one casualty and two injuries resulting from a Russian attack, and an unverified account suggests that a Russian drone strike in Nikopol claimed the life of another civilian.

Ukraine’s air force has reported that Russia carried out an assault using approximately 20 drones and a missile, with the targets including military facilities and critical infrastructure. According to regional authorities, the attack resulted in damage to the Kremenchuk oil refinery. The Ukraine air force communicated on the Telegram messaging app that they successfully neutralized 18 of the 20 Russian-launched Shahed drones before they could reach their intended destinations. The missile was also intercepted. Nevertheless, the Kremenchuk oil refinery, which has been a recurring target in previous Russian attacks, was hit, causing a significant fire. This information was provided by Filip Pronin, the head of the military administration for the Poltava region

A Russian assault on Kherson in eastern Ukraine resulted in one fatality and two injuries, as reported by the governor of the region. In a separate incident, an unverified account suggests that a Russian drone strike in Nikopol claimed the life of another civilian. Additionally, Ukraine’s air force indicated that Russia launched a substantial attack, involving around 20 drones and a missile, targeting both military installations and critical infrastructure. Ukraine’s air force, via the Telegram messaging app, reported the successful interception of 18 out of the 20 Russian-launched Shahed drones and the missile. However, despite these countermeasures, the Kremenchuk oil refinery in the central Poltava region, which has been repeatedly targeted in previous Russian attacks, was hit, resulting in a significant blaze. This information was provided by Filip Pronin, the head of the region’s military administration.

US senators from both parties expressed support for funding for Ukraine while casting doubts on a House Republican proposal to divide Joe Biden’s $106 billion aid package. This package combines funding for both Israel and Ukraine, with additional provisions aimed at enhancing competition with China in the Indo-Pacific region and bolstering security along the US-Mexico border.

In contrast, a separate supplemental spending bill, introduced under the new House Speaker, Mike Johnson, focuses exclusively on aid to Israel. This bill seeks to allocate $14.3 billion in aid to Israel by reducing Internal Revenue Service funding and does not include provisions for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, acknowledged in his nightly video address on Tuesday that the modern world tends to expect quick success. He noted that when the full-scale aggression began, many doubted Ukraine’s ability to withstand the conflict. Zelenskiy has pushed back against criticism, primarily from Western sources, regarding the pace of the counteroffensive against Russia, emphasizing that real warfare differs from Hollywood portrayals. Ukraine’s military reported Russian forces preparing for fresh attacks in various front sections, but there has been limited movement along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) frontline in recent months.

The Swiss government has decided not to lift its protection status for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war until at least March 4, 2025. The Federal Council stated that they do not foresee a change in the situation in Ukraine in the near future. Additionally, the Swiss government has set a goal for labor market integration, aiming to have 40% of individuals with protection status (Status S) capable of working employed by the end of the next year, as reported by Reuters.

In the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, opera singers, more than 20 months into Russia’s war, plan to return to the stage by performing in the safety of their theater’s basement, shielding themselves from the threat of Russian airstrikes. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, had banned mass public events when Russia invaded in February 2022 and continues to be a frequent target for missiles, with the risk of strikes occurring within as little as 45 seconds after being fired from across the Russian border, which is approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) away.

A senior UN official emphasized that Russian strikes are causing “unimaginable suffering” to the people of Ukraine. Over 18 million Ukrainians, equivalent to 40% of the population, require humanitarian assistance. Ramesh Rajasingham, the director of coordination in the UN humanitarian office, informed the UN Security Council that thousands of civilians have lost their lives in strikes on homes, schools, fields, and markets since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. While the UN human rights office has officially confirmed 9,900 civilian casualties, it is believed that the actual number is higher.

US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, stressed that Russia’s success in Ukraine depends on continued support from Washington. During a Senate hearing on Joe Biden’s request for $106 billion in funding for Ukraine, Israel, and American security, Austin stated, “I can guarantee that without our support, Putin will be successful.”

Russia has recently implemented additional currency controls to stabilize the declining rouble. These controls limit Western companies that are selling their Russian assets, preventing them from receiving the proceeds in dollars and euros.