President Biden’s decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking inside Russia has elicited a furious response from the Kremlin. Russian officials, including Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov, have warned of a “serious escalation” and even “World War Three.” The Kremlin views this as direct NATO involvement, a red line previously established by President Putin. This action follows months of warnings from Russia against supplying Ukraine with such weaponry, prompting concerns about potential escalatory responses from Moscow, including retaliatory actions and adjustments to its nuclear doctrine.
Read More
Renowned Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov, 39, died after a fall from his St. Petersburg apartment building. Initial reports suggested an accidental fall while attempting to escape his apartment, but this account has been disputed. His death is currently under investigation, though preliminary findings indicate an accident. Shklyarov was a prominent critic of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, adding a layer of complexity to the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Read More
Ukrainian drone operations are significantly hindering Russian advances, slowing them to a crawl in some areas, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). These operations, highlighted by President Zelenskyy, are inflicting heavy daily casualties on Russian forces (estimated at 1,500-2,000 KIA/WIA) and forcing them to adapt tactics, such as smaller-scale assaults, which have proven insufficient to counter Ukrainian drone effectiveness. The ISW emphasizes that these drone strikes, particularly against armored vehicles, have been crucial throughout 2024, especially during artillery shortages. Continued improvements to Ukraine’s drone capabilities are vital for future success.
Read More
Addressing a conference of North Korean battalion commanders, Kim Jong-un emphasized the urgent need to enhance the military’s warfighting capabilities. He cited escalating tensions with the U.S. and its allies as the reason for this imperative, characterizing the situation as the most dangerous in history. Kim’s call for improved combat readiness comes amidst reports of potential North Korean troop deployments to support Russia in Ukraine and growing international condemnation of the burgeoning military relationship between the two nations. The speech underscored the heightened threat perception within North Korea and its focus on military preparedness.
Read More
President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean forces, primarily targeting Kursk Oblast, marking a significant policy shift. This decision, communicated to Kyiv days prior, aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities against a planned Russian offensive supported by North Korean troops. While not expected to alter the war’s overall trajectory, the authorization allows Ukraine to strike critical military assets and deter further aggression. The decision follows previous U.S. hesitancy and culminates from discussions initiated after Ukrainian officials presented target lists in August.
Read More
Following reports that the US, UK, and France have authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles—ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP respectively—against Russian territory, President Zelenskyy confirmed the development. He stated that the efficacy of this authorization will be demonstrated through action rather than announcement. These strikes, potentially targeting Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast, are planned for the coming days, according to multiple news sources. Zelenskyy emphasized that this long-range capability is a crucial element of his “Victory Plan.”
Read More
On November 17th, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure across multiple regions. Ukrainian air defenses, including F-16 fighter jets, intercepted and destroyed approximately 144 of the roughly 210 incoming projectiles. President Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian pilots using F-16s shot down nearly 10 aerial targets during the attack. The attack caused widespread power outages and damage to critical infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing conflict’s devastating impact.
Read More
President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-provided ATACMS long-range missiles, marking a significant policy shift allowing strikes within Russia, specifically targeting areas like Kursk. This decision, following months of Ukrainian requests, enables strikes on Russian weapons stockpiles and logistical hubs to hinder military advances. While the number of ATACMS is limited and the impact may not be decisive, the authorization also potentially opens the door for similar use of British Storm Shadow missiles. The move comes amidst escalating conflict and large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Read More
With US President Biden’s approval, France and Britain have authorized Ukraine to use their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for long-range strikes on Russian territory. This decision follows months of Ukrainian requests and ends previous Western hesitancy. The authorization allows Ukraine to employ these weapons alongside US-provided ATACMS missiles. This development potentially marks a significant escalation in the conflict. Ukrainian strikes using these long-range weapons are expected imminently.
Read More
Overnight, a drone attack targeted a Russian military manufacturing plant in Izhevsk, injuring one and causing minor damage, according to both Russian and Ukrainian officials. The facility, identified as the Kupol defense plant, produces components for the Tor air defense system, among other military equipment. This attack comes as Moscow launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and military production facilities. Ukraine claims to have intercepted a significant portion of the incoming missiles and drones.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker