Day 645 Recap: Key Updates on the Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Ukraine reported the elimination of five high-ranking Russian officials in a strike on a building within the occupied part of Kherson. The attack, carried out in the village of Yuvileyne, was based on intelligence provided by the underground and concerned local residents.
In a separate development, Ukraine successfully intercepted and downed all 21 Iranian-made Shahed drones that were en route to the western Khmelnytskyi region, where a Ukrainian airbase is located.
Amid escalating tensions, Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun noted an increase in Russian attacks in the eastern Donetsk region. Russia intensified artillery fire, airstrikes, and ground infantry attacks, doubling their efforts.
British intelligence suggested that Russia may be employing 500kg cluster bombs in Donetsk. These munitions release numerous smaller bombs over a wide area, causing extensive damage.
Russian forces claimed to have gained control of Khromove, a village in the Donetsk region, situated on the western edge of Bakhmut. Bakhmut fell to Russia during the summer after a prolonged battle and continues to witness heavy fighting.
According to Ukrainian military updates, Russian casualties in the ongoing conflict have reached 327,580, with an increase of 1,140 reported in the latest daily update.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned against underestimating Russia’s resilience in the war, emphasizing Putin’s high tolerance for casualties and Russia’s sustained economic commitment to the conflict.
Regarding international support, the European Union has delivered approximately 300,000 out of the 1 million promised shells to Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the need for closer alignment of Ukrainian and NATO arms production, creating a unified defense industry in the Euro-Atlantic region.
Despite the challenges, Kuleba expressed confidence that NATO allies remain steadfast in their support, rejecting any notion of fatigue and affirming a commitment to increased assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia faced a setback in its attempt to secure re-election to the executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, with Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland elected to fill three seats for the 2024-2026 term.