Nothing much has changed in the war in Ukraine—the battle of Avdiivka continues as Russia is determined to control the city to extend the Donbas region, support for Ukraine continues but Ukraine is aware that funds will decrease as countries need to consider aid for those in the Middle East war.
We also know that Russia is waiting until the temperatures drop to zero, and then to attack the energy infrastructure in Ukraine. This is not a stalemate, but Russia opting to use tactics and propaganda, and clearly have no genuine interest in peace talks.
There have been multiple attacks in the same regions, mainly Odesa, Kherson and Zaporizhzia, and families have been wiped out. I read of a soldier who recently died on the front line having lost his wife, 3 month old baby and his mother-in law and we must remember that there are thousands like him. This is a tragic side of humanity where we watch this happening and feel helpless to do anything. How can we commemorate Armistice Day when war threatens to expand to the rest of the world?
Donald Trump has claimed he could ‘sort out’ the war in Ukraine if he became president in 2024, and Zelenskyy invited him to Ukraine, but mainly to tell him that he was wrong. Ukraine is under a microscope and must prove themselves to the world that they are no corrupt and want a democratic society. This has not been helped with a multitude of judges and government officials being arrested for corruption in the past year, not does it help with Hungary and Slovakia now being controlled by Putin friendly leaders.
Zelenskyy has stated there are to be no elections as defence is more of a priority, besides the fact that many people are struggling with basics, most would consider voting low down on the list of what they are interested in. Perhaps Ukraine are changing tactics as they know what aid they are going to get, and if they want more they are going to have to manufacture the weapons themselves without restrictions on where they can be used. The fact that there is evidence that Russia is building factories to build more weapons means that Ukraine must keep up and cannot rely on the allies, some who have dragged their feet and pledged aid without supplying it.
Putin and Russia show no signs of seeking any peace deal, and the allies are confronted with a dilemma of what further aid can they supply to Ukraine without sending in troops? While Russia continues to attack Ukraine in order to occupy regions of Ukraine, then there is no chance of Russia leaving Ukraine unless they are defeated. With news that they are going to support Libya, that could mean that they would have influence over the southern part of Europe, mainly Greece and Italy.
Day 617 (2 Nov)
Russian POW who are no wounded will begin to work in the camps Ukraine has announced. Work will consist of tasks such as repairing furniture to make them productive.
Google along with a number of other international companies have exited Russia. A total of 296 international companies have left Russia to date where others are still putting into place measures to leave or to restrict their business activities.
Ukraine has designated Nestlé as a sponsor of war, because it continues to carry a business in Russia. While Nestlé had pledged to suspend exports and imports to Russia, the company continues to supply Russian stores with Nestlé products.
In Uzbekistan, reports state that a Russian drone manufacturer, Flyseeagro will open a factory there in the Navoi free economic even though the company claims to make drones for agricultural purposes only.
Another corruption issue in Ukraine, where an arrest warrant has been issued for a lawmaker Yaroslav Dubnevych along with eight others who are accused of making purchases for the state railway operator (Ukrzalintysia) at inflated prices and keeping the rest of the money for themselves. With so much corruption being exposed, the world is wondering how much more is there that hasn’t been exposed and with all the funding for Ukraine, is it really going to the right places?
Putin officially has signed into law to revoke Russia's ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty, known as the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty(CTBT). Obviously this is not good, as could mean Russia would resume testing nuclear weapons as a threat.
Day 618 (3 Nov)
Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland have agreed to treat 19 Ukrainians who have oncological diseases as a result of explosion, injuries.
Ukraine's defence minister has approved a new concept of military personnel policy. This will be implemented by 2028, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine will replace contract servicing and conscription with intensive training of citizens of military age. This looks as if Ukraine is seeking to train all citizens whether they are conscripted or not during war or peacetime so they are prepared to defend the country. It became clear when mobilisation took place that many men had few skills and were more of a hindrance to the armed forces and that the army lacked trained personnel.
In Zakarpattia, there was a Russian attack where 19 soldiers were killed during an award ceremony. An investigation is taking place as the deaths could have been avoided, and the commander of the 128th Separate Mountain-Assault Brigade of Zakarpattia (Dmytro Lysiuk) has been suspended pending the investigation. Many are questioning why award ceremonies are necessary at the front line where they know any gathering results in being a target. Reports also claim that Dmytro Lysiuk was half an hour late for the ceremony leaving a large crowd of soldiers as a target for a drone attack.
Day 619 (4 Nov)
Russia aims to capture Avdiivka by the end of the year to boost the propaganda like Bakhmut. This would allow Russia to control the roads and railways into Donetsk, which Ukraine is defending at present. The battle is intense, and many Russian lives have been lost already, and it seems that they are waiting for the weather and temperature to drop in Ukraine before mounting a full assault. By then, hopefully more weapons will have arrived from the allies.
Ursula Von der Leyden visited Kyiv again to discuss EU ascension for Ukraine, and said that Ukraine is making good progress achieving 90% of the stated requirements. Four out of the seven steps needed for ascension have been completed according to reports.
Day 620 (5 Nov)
Reports claimed that Ukraine has destroyed the Russian electronic ‘Pole– 21’ warfare system. This would be advantageous to knock out the Russian systems, but it is not enough as Russia would have other systems as a backup.
Donald Trump has claimed he could resolve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if he became the president o the US in 2024, and Zelenskyy invited him to Ukraine. Trump declined, stating it would create a conflict of interest with the current administration, where Zelenskyy said it would take him 24 minutes to tell Trump he is wrong.
Zelenskyy addressed the nation and said this was not the time for elections and noted that there needs to be a change in the defence strategy and negligence and bureaucracy needs to be addressed.
He acknowledged that the reports of a stalemate were of concern and that Ukraine was adapting and changing their strategies, with what weapons they have and the limitations of the support on hand.
When we go through weeks, like this, full of pain and difficult discussions it is important that people understand that what is in the heart to see and the changes that are needed will be made. This applies to many things from the negligence that happens to sovietness and terrible bureaucracy. (Zelenskyy)
We need to prepare to understand exactly what steps will be more appropriate so that we can move forward. We must realise that now is the Time of defence, the time of the battle that determines the fate of the state and people not the time of manipulation, is which only Russia expects from Ukraine.(Zelenskyy)
Day 621 (6 Nov)
Russia is to have a military presence in eastern Libya, which would be close to southern Europe, mainly Greece and Italy. Apparently Putin and Haftar began drafting the defence agreement after a meeting in Moscow in September.
Odesa was attacked again, and amongst the targets that were damaged was a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the art museum. The ports were hit again, damaging trucks and loading equipment for the grain. I can’t see Russia agreeing to the Black Sea Grain Initiative again as they have consistently violated the agreement.
Major Hennadii Chastiakov, an aide to General Valeriy Zaluzhynyi (Commander of the Armed Forces) was killed by a grenade disguised as a gift. The gift was given to him by a member of staff who has been identified and detained, and two further grenades had been found in his office. An investigation is pending as some sources claim the grenades were models given as a gift, but why would anyone give a model of a grenade as a birthday present? He was only 39 years old and his 13 year old son was also injured.
Russia has begun building railway lines linking Rostov-on-Don to occupied Crimea as a replacement for the damaged Kerch Bridge. This will pass through occupied Zaporizhzhia.
Day 622 (7 Nov)
127 companies in the UK have self-reported breaches of sanctions against Russia. This is usually to soften the fines or punishments, but it’s clear that sanctions haven’t really worked and that no one took them seriously.
Ukrainian survivors recall the horrors of the Wagner Group who tortured and killed POW, cut off parts of thither bodies and mounted their heads on poles. While documenting war crimes is essential, so is preventing more from being carried out and that should be the primary objective.
French, arms manufacturer, Verney – Carron has signed a $38 million deal to supply Ukraine with military equipment.
Satellite images show that Russia is building new military facilities at the Kazan aviation plant which shows a new handle been constructed and contains TU-22 and TU-160 strategic bombers.