Key developments on November 8:
Source confirms that Ukrainian drones have hit an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov.
Pentagon confirms that Ukraine will receive $6 billion of US military aid in the months before Trump’s presidency begins.
Estonia will provide Ukraine with air defence missiles for testing
* Ukraine recovers the bodies of 563 fallen soldiers
Reuters: US military contractors allowed to deploy in Ukraine
A military intelligence source confirmed the attack to the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 8. The drones were operated by the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
Ruslan Busargin, Governor of Saratov Oblast, had earlier in the day claimed that a Ukrainian drone had targeted the city.
Busargin said that air defenses shot down the drone in the city, and debris fell into the industrial zone in the Zavodsky District. He did not report any injuries or damage.
The city is home to the Saratov Oil Refinery. Previously known as the Cracking Plant. It is part of Rosneft – the state-owned oil company. The refinery is situated in the Zavodsky District of the city.
HUR’s source claimed that drones had hit fuel oil tanks and oil refineries at the plant. Local media reported multiple explosions.
According to a Russian Defense Ministry report, 17 Ukrainian drones have been “destroyed” and “intercepted” overnight. Six drones are reported to have been shot down over Saratov Oblast.
Saratov, a city located in southwest Russia, is approximately 1,500 kilometers away from the border of Ukraine.
Pentagon confirms that Ukraine will receive $6 billion of US military aid in the first year of Trump’s presidency.
Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, said in a press briefing on November 7 that the U.S. would send Ukraine all $6 billion of outstanding military aid prior to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Politico had reported that U.S. president Joe Biden was anxious to deliver the remaining six billion dollars by the end his term, out of fear that the Trump administration would halt weapon shipments to Ukraine.
Singh told reporters that the Ukraine will receive $4 billion as part of the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which removes weapons from U.S. stockpiles, and $2 billion under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
Singh responded that Washington was “confident”, and could fulfill its commitments towards Kyiv.
“We’re constantly restocking and backfilling our shelves. “We’re committed to giving Ukraine what it needs, including that $4 billion in authority,” said she.
Singh also noted that Ukraine has many supporters, both within the U.S. Government and around the globe.
She said that the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), which includes “over fifty countries”, is not only supported by the United States.
“On top of that, Ukraine enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support in Congress.” In January, there will be a change in administration but the support for Ukraine is still strong.
Estonia will provide Ukraine with air defence missiles for testing
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced Nov. 8 that Frankenburg Technologies, an Estonian arms company, will transfer air defence missiles to Ukraine for tests.
Kyiv has called on its partners to provide more air defense assets, as Russia intensifies its attacks against cities and energy infrastructure.
In the next few months, the first samples for testing are expected to be delivered. The ministry stated that the missiles being tested by Ukraine were designed to counter drones and can shoot targets at an elevation of up to two kilometers (1 mile).
“Our goal is help Ukraine win this battle.” We offer a sample of an inexpensive missile that can be used to shoot down air targets – primarily unmanned aircraft – in order to achieve this.
Salm met with Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister, Brigadier-General Anatolii Kolochko, to discuss the upcoming tests.
According to the statement, the next step will be to agree on a funding format for missile production. If the tests are successful, and the Defense Ministry agrees with Frankenburg Technologies on the further use of these weapons, Ukraine could also arrange for the production of missiles.
Frankenburg Technologies, a defense and industrial company founded in Tallinn in 2024, is headquartered there. It is currently active in Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia.
Ukraine recovers the bodies of 563 fallen soldiers
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced on Nov. 8 that Ukraine has returned the bodies of 563 soldiers killed in combat against Russia.
According to the Geneva Conventions, those who die in war have a right to a dignified funeral. According to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine had identified 2,800 bodies or body fragments of fallen troops as of early March.
320 bodies were recovered from Donetsk Oblast and 89 from Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Another 154 bodies have been repatriated by Russian morgues.
“Law enforcement officers and forensic specialists will identify the dead,” the headquarters wrote on Telegram.
The operation to recover the fallen soldier involved several government and militaries, including the Security Service of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry, State Emergency Service and the Armed Forces.
The headquarters also expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its assistance.
Reuters reports that the US allows its military contractors to deploy to Ukraine
Reuters reported that unnamed U.S. government officials said that the Biden administration permitted U.S. contractors to work in Ukraine for maintenance and repair of American-supplied arms.
One source told Reuters that the “small number” of contractors won’t be participating in combat operations, and will be stationed far from the frontline.
This move comes during the last months of Joe Biden’s presidency, before Donald Trump returns to his White House following the U.S. Presidential election victory.
This policy would allow the Ukrainian military to maintain and repair weapons provided by Washington much faster.
Pentagon confirmed Nov. 7 that Washington will also send Kyiv $6 billion in military aid before Trump’s inauguration, which is Jan. 20. Politico reported that Biden rushed to deliver the remaining funds before the end of his tenure out of fear that the Trump administration would halt the weapons shipments to Kyiv.
We are the Kyiv Independent’s news team. We want to ensure that our readers receive timely, essential updates on the events in Ukraine. Please contact us by email if you have any feedback or news alerts.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com