SBU sniper claims world record after successful 3.8 km shot
A sniper from Ukraine’s security service (SBU) established a new record after hitting a Russian soldier at 3.8 kilometers, local media reported on Nov. 18.
Lance Luo
Articles
Shmyhal: Ukraine to initiate 186 projects with EIB funding, complete 28
Ukraine will leverage funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to complete 28 existing projects and launch 186 new initiatives, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Nov. 17. “We are talking about the reconstruction and construction of schools, hospitals, kindergartens, administrative buildings, health centers, sewage treatment plants and other facilities.”
UK Defense Ministry: Unlikely to be major changes on frontlines
Neither Ukraine nor Russia has made substantial progress on the battlefield and as winter begins to set in, there are “few immediate prospects of major changes in the frontline,” the UK Defense Ministry said on X on Nov. 18.
Zelensky: Ukraine is working on boosting air defense throughout periphery regions
Ukraine is building its air defenses in periphery regions such as Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message on Nov. 16. "Not everything can be told publicly now. But what is absolutely certain is that Ukraine is constantly getting stronger. Our air defense capabilities are increasing. Of course, this is not yet a hundred percent protection.”
Reuters survey: More Americans support arming Ukraine than Israel
An Ipsos survey conducted for Reuters revealed 41% of Americans support providing arms for Ukraine, while just 31% supported weapons for Israel. Military support for Ukraine was stronger among Democrats with 32% of respondents opposed to further aid to Kyiv.
US earmarks additional $500 million for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
The U.S. plans to allocate an additional $500 million to bolster Ukraine’s energy grid, local media reported on Nov. 16 citing Biden administration officials.
Russian delegation to North Korea completes visit
Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov departed Pyongyang on Nov. 17 after an official visit, RFE/RL reported citing North Korea state media. Officials characterized the official visit as “cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology.”
Usyk vs Fury match scheduled for February in Saudi Arabia
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Tyson Fury will fight for the undisputed men’s heavyweight boxing title on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yermak meets with Blinken in Washington
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak on Nov. 13 to discuss air defense equipment and winter preparations, Blinken's team said in a post on X.
US Treasury: 100 ships in 30 countries helping Russia violate sanctions
The U.S. Treasury Department requested information on about one hundred ships suspected of violating Western sanctions on Russian oil, Reuters reported on Nov. 13 citing an unnamed source.
UK: Russia punishing drug and alcohol abusers by sending them to front
Russia is punishing drug addicts and alcoholics by sending them to the frontlines in Ukraine in Storm-Z assault detachments, which are effectively penal units in the riskiest positions, the he U.K. Ministry of Defense posted on X.
Dubinskyi to be held for 60 days without bail
The Kyiv Pechersk District court on Nov. 14 ordered Oleksandr Dubinskyi, a lawmaker accused of high treason, to be held without bail until further proceedings on Jan. 12, 2024, Suspilne media reports.
Turkey to import record amount of Russian Urals oil
Turkey is on track to import a record amount of Russian Urals oil this month according to energy traders, Reuters reported Nov. 13.
Latvian president: West must arm Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs told the AP on Nov. 11 he believes Moscow is well prepared for a long war and that the West must keep providing Ukraine with security assistance or else Russia will be emboldened to threaten other countries in the future.
IDPs in Ukraine number nearly 5 million
Ukrainian officials in November counted 4.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 3.6 million of them receiving IDP status after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, Ukrinform reported.
Czechs picket Russian Embassy in Prague
A group of Czech activists on Nov 11. condemned Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine by hosting a demonstration outside of the Russian Embassy in Prague, Radio Liberty reports.
AP: Proposed US funding bill excludes Ukraine aid as political battle looms
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on Nov. 11 a new proposal to keep the federal government open, a plan which excludes additional funding for Ukraine, AP reported.
Microsoft: Russia spreading Middle East disinformation
Russia is actively manufacturing disinformation about the Middle East as tensions continue to soar following Israel’s military campaign according to Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith, the Times of Israel reported.
Ukraine regains control of village in Kharkiv Oblast, raises flag
Ukrainian forces on Nov. 11 regained control of the town of Topoli in Kharkiv Oblast and raised the national flag on video, the State Border Service reported.
Hungarian Foreign Minister: Ukraine not ready for EU membership
Ukraine is not yet suitable for EU membership and could bring war to the bloc, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on Nov. 8.
WSJ: Russia trying to claw back prior weapons exports
Russian officials reportedly visited Cairo in April and asked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to return more than a hundred engines from Russian helicopters that Moscow needed for its war against Ukraine.
Danilov: Ukraine making 'huge gains' in occupied Crimea
Ukraine has made “huge gains” as it destroys Russian military assets in occupied Crimea according to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov, Ukrinform reports.
White House: 96% of Ukraine aid already spent
The U.S. has already spent 96% percent of the funds allocated for Ukraine since the beginning of the war, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Nov. 8.
Zelensky: Ukraine still capable of battlefield achievements despite frustration
President Volodymyr Zelensky reassured audiences at the Reuters Next conference in New York on Nov. 8 that Ukraine is still on track to deliver military results by the end of the year.
ISW: War against Ukraine deepening identity crises within Russian society
Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is exacerbating an emerging identity crisis within Russian society, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes, citing Vostok Battalion Commander Alexander Khodakovsky.
Zelensky: Now is not the right time to talk elections
President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the idea of presidential elections in Ukraine next year, labeling the topic as “irresponsible” in his video address posted on Nov. 6.
Explosions reported near military bases in occupied Crimea
Russian media outlets on Nov. 7 reported a series of explosions near military bases in occupied Crimea, according to Channel 24. The explosions were recorded close to the Belbek military airfield near Sevastopol.
Reuters: White House to reveal new $425 million Ukraine aid package
The U.S. plans to unveil a $425 million aid package for Ukraine which will include counter-drone capabilities and other munitions, officials told Reuters on Nov. 2.
Russia shells 6 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces continued aerial and artillery strikes on Sumy Oblast on Nov. 2, local authorities reported on Telegram.
Biden threatens to veto new $14.3 billion Israel aid bill without Ukraine funding
The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 2 passed a bill to provide $14.3 billion in aid for Israel, a move that President Joe Biden has promised to veto if it does not also include support for Ukraine, The Hill reports.
Air defense shot down 18 out of 20 Shahed drones
Ninety percent of Shahed drones unleashed by Russia during a recent drone attack early on Nov. 1 were shot down by air defenses, Ukrainian Air Force officials said on Telegram.
Sirens heard in Crimea as Russian-appointed officials close bridge
An air raid alert was declared in Sevastopol as Moscow-appointed officials shut down traffic on the Crimean bridge on Nov. 1, Russian state-controlled media reported.
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