November 19 2024

On 19 November drone attacks occurred in Russia's Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts, resulting in damage to local companies. Attack on an oil and mayonnaise factory in Alekseevka, Belgorod Region, damaging multiple production areas, including sunflower oil and yogurt facilities, without causing casualties. Reportedly drones also targeted a mayonnaise plant in the Voronezh region, causing a fire. The EFKO factory has also been involved in the production of drones. The drone is called Hi-Fly Cargo. The Hi-Fly Cargo drone is capable of flying up to 20 km, reaching speeds of 100 km/h, and carrying up to 170 kg. There is also a soap factory on the premises which can produce resins and polymers used in drones, explosives, and rocket production.


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has come out in opposition to the US’s decision to permit Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against Russia.


A US source cited by Reuters stated that Ukraine fired eight ATACMS missiles, with Russia reportedly intercepting two of them. The Russian Ministry claimed that five out of six missiles aimed at a military facility in Bryansk Oblast were shot down, and that the wreckage caused a minor fire. Ukrainian sources indicated that the strike specifically targeted the ammunition storage depot in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast.



The Ukrainian Parliament has approved the 2025 state budget, which includes record expenditures of around $96.1 billion. The budget allocates $54.4 billion for defense, with $18.02 billion earmarked for weapons production and procurement. Additionally, $10.26 billion will be allocated to social welfare programs. The draft was supported by 257 members of parliament.


The US has announced a new $275 million defense aid package for Ukraine.

It includes

    • Ammunition for HIMARS;
    • 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
    • 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds;
    • Unmanned Aerial Systems;
    • TOW missiles;
    • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
    • Small arms and ammunition;
    • Demolitions equipment and munitions;
    • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment; and
    • Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that Russian air defense forces shot down 44 drones overnight. The drones were reportedly shot down across various regions, including Novgorod, Kursk, Belgorod, and Moscow oblasts. The Ministry did not provide information as to any damage caused by the strikes. However, countless sources report that the 13th arsenal in Kotovo, Novgorod Oblast was attacked. This is approximately 680 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.


The 13th arsenal stores shells for artillery, mortar shells, rockets for Grad, Smerch, and Uragan MLRS, as well as Iskander missiles, KN23 ballistic missiles, S-300 and S-400 missiles, and missiles for the Tor air defense system.


Ukraine reports that Russia has now lost 1001 air defense systems.

Zelesnskyy presented his 10-point plan for national resilience. It includes the following points:

    1. Unity: Strengthening domestic cohesion and collaboration with international allies, including accelerating EU integration, NATO membership, and pursuing justice through a tribunal and sanctions against Russia.
    2. The Front: Reforming personnel management, recruitment, and military training while focusing on stabilizing the front lines and carrying out operations in occupied territories.
    3. Armament: Expanding domestic production of military equipment, such as drones and missiles, and advancing technological capabilities to outpace Russia's military.
    4. Money: Developing a new economic policy focused on supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurship, reducing regulations, and ensuring the country's financial resilience, including meeting social obligations.
    5. Energy: Securing energy infrastructure, decentralizing power generation, and preparing for Ukraine to become an energy hub after the war.
    6. Security: Enhancing internal security by combating crime, securing public spaces, improving shelters, and clearing mines, while addressing the security of educational institutions and cities.
    7. Communities: Strengthening governance and cooperation within local communities, addressing the needs of border areas and displaced populations, and preparing for the eventual return of occupied territories.
    8. Human Capital: Promoting national unity, improving education, and creating policies to support Ukrainians abroad, including allowing dual citizenship and forming a Ministry of Ukrainian Unity.
    9. Cultural Sovereignty: Advancing Ukrainian culture domestically and internationally, ensuring cultural independence from Russia, and holding Russia accountable for its cultural crimes against Ukraine.
    10. The Heroes Policy: Supporting war veterans by improving their integration into civilian life, enhancing state support programs, and ensuring their transition from military service is respected.

Zelenskyy has again rejected the idea of decreasing the draft age, but intends to increase the number of voluntary enlistment from those younger age groups by offering incentives



In 2025, Ukraine plans to produce 3,000 cruise and drone missiles, including upgraded versions of the Neptune missile. Zelenskyy said that successful strikes have already been carried out by this newer version of the Neptune.


Bulgaria and Romania have asked the European Commission to place restrictions on Ukrainian honey imports out of concern that low-priced honey is undermining the profits of local honey producers.


The European Union plans to use $1.5 billion from frozen Russian assets to purchase military equipment for Ukraine, with delivery is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and an additional $2 billion planned to make additional purchases in early 2025.


Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the war has caused an estimated $71 billion in environmental damage, including widespread forest destruction, significant greenhouse gas emissions, and contamination from explosives. Ukraine has planted millions of trees and cleared land with support from international partners.


Britain has allocated over $9.5 million in military aid to Ukraine for purchasing drone.



Russian companies are having their accounts blocked by major Chinese banks due to their registered addresses matching those of organizations under sanctions. Banks like Bank of China and Chouzhou Commercial Bank are involved in these restrictions and blockages. The Bank of China is now scrutinizing companies more closely, checking not only their addresses but also their names, business activities, and directors, leading to account restrictions. The Bank of China is increasingly blocking transfers of money from countries that Russia uses to acquire illicit goods.


Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has launched over 1,600 drones, almost 800 cruise missiles, around 90 ballistic missiles, and nearly 40 Kinzhal missiles at Kyiv, prompting nearly 1,400 air raid alerts, lasting over 1,500 hours combined. In 2024 alone, nearly 1,250 aerial weapons were deployed against Kyiv.


Ukrainian soldier officeralex_33:

"The enemy claims to have entrenched themselves in Solntseve, but apart from the usual batches of infantry who immediately hide in the basements, there's nothing special.

Overall, the village is a complete mess with our fighters, the enemy, and civilians... civilians!!! who are still there. In a word, it's chaos."
...

“Today, there was an assault on Rozdolne with 16 armored personnel carriers, in two columns of 8 each. All the vehicles had airborne troops, but fortunately, most of the attack was repelled. The push on Rozdolne indicates that the enemy wants to bypass Velyka Novosilka. I think they will also move from the Rivnopil area, where they have previously shown activity.”

Quote of the Day:

“Stuff your brain with hedgehogs.”

― Karl Lagerfeld