Key developments for October 23:
Source: Zelensky is preparing an action plan for Ukraine in order to resist war
The US Defense Secretary confirms that North Korean troops are in Russia
* Ukraine has stabilized the situation in Toretsk but Russia is concentrating its troops in the town’s eastern part, military reports
* UK allocates $155 million to naval coalition to protect Ukraine’s ports
Media reports: France’s first batch Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine will include three planes
A source close to the President’s Office told The Kyiv Independent that on October 23, President Volodymyr Zelensky had asked the Ukrainian authorities to create proposals for an internal plan of action to help the country survive the war.
Sources claim that the document will cover military, political, and economic issues, as well as certain decisions relating to law enforcement.
BBC Ukraine reported earlier that day, citing anonymous government sources, that the plan would be ready and presented to Ukrainians by the end 2024. The Kyiv Independent source stated that it could take several weeks to complete the document.
BBC quoted a source from Zelensky’s team as saying: “The goal is do everything possible to achieve results in different areas of the development of the country.”
The plan is not an alternative plan to Zelensky’s victory plan, but it does provide for Ukraine to take steps.
Zelensky unveiled his five point victory plan to the public on Oct. 16. The list included Ukraine’s invitation for NATO membership at the top.
The victory plan includes a defense component, non-nuclear dissuasion of Russian aggression, economic development and cooperation, as well as establishing a post-war security structure. The plan also includes three classified addenda, which have been shared with partners internationally.
The Ukrainian president said that the victory plan could “bridge the gap between the present situation and a successful peace summit.”
US Defense Secretary confirms that North Korean troops are in Russia
Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, said in Rome that there is evidence that North Korean forces are in Russia on October 23, Reuters reported.
Austin’s statement is the first time that the U.S. has publicly confirmed previous statements made by Ukraine and South Korea. Both nations claim that Russia plans to include thousands of North Korean soldiers in its full-scale conflict.
There is evidence that DPRK (North Korean troops) are in Russia. What are they doing? What exactly are they doing? “We need to sort these things out,” said the Pentagon chief.
Austin did not specify how many North Korean troops had arrived in Russia.
Reuters, citing South Korean Intelligence, reported that “thousands” more soldiers were expected to be sent to support the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Park Sun-won is a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee. He said that signs of troops being trained in North Korea had been detected between September and October.
It appears that the troops are now dispersed in multiple training facilities across Russia and adapting to the local climate.
According to South Korean military intelligence, Pyongyang promised to provide 10,000 troops. Their deployment was expected to be complete by December.
North Korea denied the reports while a Kremlin spokeswoman gave a vague answer.
A military intelligence source informed the Kyiv independent on October 21 that Russian authorities had detained 18 North Korean troops who abandoned their positions within the Kursk Oblast. Video footage purporting show North Korean soldiers at a Russian training camp has also been circulated.
South Korean media reported Oct. 22 that Pyongyang had dispatched pilots capable of flying Russian warplanes in order to join the conflict in Ukraine. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that South Korea was considering sending personnel to Ukraine in order to monitor North Korean forces.
The military reports that Ukraine has stabilized the situation in Toretsk but Russia is concentrating its troops in the town’s eastern part.
Anastasiia Bobbyvnikova, spokesperson for the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk on national television, said that the Ukrainian army managed to stabilize the Toretsk situation in Donetsk Oblast. However, the Russian army continues concentrating its forces in the east part of the city.
Toretsk is located about 35 kilometers (20 miles north) of occupied Donetsk. In recent months, the town has become one of the most popular spots in Donetsk Oblast as Russian troops continue to advance in Ukraine’s eastern region.
“The situation in Toretsk is relatively stable.” The demarcation line is still unchanged. Bobovnikova stated that the enemy was still entrenched on the eastern side of the city.
“However, they are still advancing and we will defend the city as long as we can.” We are doing a great job now.”
Bobovnikova said that the number of assaults in this sector on the front line has decreased slightly, which could indicate that Russian troops are taking a tactical break to replenish manpower, collect weapons, or redistribute equipment.
According to local authorities Kyiv controlled approximately 40-50% of town as of October 11, while Russia had captured all the rest.
The Ukrainian military had previously stated that fighting was taking place “at each building entrance” while Russian forces were pushing along the main Tsentralna Street (Central) from the east.
Losing Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast would be a further blow to Ukraine after its forces were forced from Vuhledar to the south. Russian forces continue to push toward Kurakhove, and Pokrovsk – a key logistic hub located about 50 kilometers (30 miles west of Toretsk).
UK allocates $155 million to naval coalition to protect Ukraine’s ports
The U.K. Government announced on October 22 that London will donate 120 million pounds ($155 millions) to the Maritime Capability Coalition in order to support Ukraine’s Navy.
The move is a response to Russia’s intensified attacks on port infrastructure in southern Odesa Oblast, which resulted in civilian ships being damaged and casualties.
“Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on ports in Black Sea demonstrate that (Russian president Vladimir) Putin is willing gamble on global food safety in his attempt to force Ukraine to submit,” U.K. Premier Keir Starmer stated.
The British government has accused Russia of threatening food security worldwide, including humanitarian aid to war-torn Palestine, as some Global South leaders gather at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
The U.K. seeks partners to co-finance “hundreds” of additional naval drones, as well as surveillance cameras to protect Ukraine’s grain canal.
London and Oslo also seek a further 100 millions pounds ($129 million), to co-fund hundreds of others.
According to the statement, Ukraine received as part of the Naval Coalition dozens of all-terrain vehicles, raiding boats and hundreds of anti-ship rockets. It also received hundreds of thousands rounds of ammunition.
Oleksii Kulba, the Minister for the Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure, stated on October 10 that Russia has conducted nearly 60 attacks in the last three months on Ukrainian ports. These attacks have damaged or destroyed nearly 300 port infrastructure installations and 22 civilian vessels.
As a result, over 80 civilians have been killed or injured.
Media reports that France’s first batch Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine will include three planes
The French newspaper La Tribune, citing its own sources, reported on October 23 that France will deliver the first three Mirage 2000-5s to Ukraine during the first quarter 2025.
Paris confirmed that it would begin the transfer of its aircraft during the first three months next year, but did not comment about the numbers.
La Tribune reported that the timing of delivery is based on the time required to train mechanics, pilots, and prepare aircraft.
According to the outlet the planes would be equipped with ground-attack capabilities, namely SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles of long range and French guided bombs AASM Hammer.
France and the U.K. previously supplied Kyiv SCALP and Storm Shadow rockets, which have a range up to 250 kilometers (150miles) and were successfully deployed against Russian targets in Ukraine.
The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the claims. The French Defense Ministry refused La Tribune’s request for comment.
The Mirage 2000 was a multirole aircraft that was designed in the late 70s and introduced in 1985. The 2000-5 version features upgraded radar systems, and can carry fuel tanks to increase its range.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, announced that France would deliver aircraft to Ukraine in June and train Ukrainian pilots and staff. He did not say how many aircraft France intends to send in total.
The Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet is a fourth generation fighter, which means it is of the same class as F-16s made in the United States that are already operated by the Ukrainian Air Force.
Denmark and the Netherlands delivered their F-16s first, making them the Western fighter jets that Ukraine’s arsenal.
While Kyiv is waiting for Mirages and additional F-16s it has also been in talks to purchase the Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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