Key developments for Nov. 9-10
The largest drone attack by Ukrainian forces on Moscow
The UK Defense Minister says that Russian casualties in October reached a record high.
NYT reports that Russia is preparing to launch an offensive of 50,000 troops in Kursk Oblast. This includes North Koreans.
* Trump urges Putin not to escalate the situation in Ukraine, WP reports
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on November 10, Russian air defense destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones including 34 in Moscow Oblast in the largest drone attack against the Russian capital.
The drones entered Russian skies between 7.00 am and 10.00 am Moscow time, according to the Defense Ministry. The Russian air defense systems brought down 34 drones in Moscow Oblast.
Unverified social media posts shared footage of drones flying above houses and causing damage, including a burning vehicle. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify them.
Sergey Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, said that emergency services are working in the city.
According to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, two of Moscow’s four major airports, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky were closed due to drone attacks and threats. Sheremetyevo International Airport closed later, but flights have resumed.
On Nov. 9-10, Russia launched its largest drone attack against Ukraine overnight. 145 drones entered Ukrainian airspace. Ukraine’s air defence shot down 62 drones.
According to the General Staff, an earlier Ukrainian drone strike damaged a Russian ammunition storage facility in Bryansk Oblast.
Ukraine has increased drone attacks against Russia this year. UAVs destroyed or damage 52,000 Russian targets in the last month.
The general said that “Drone technology is rapidly developing, and we need to be one step ahead of our enemies,” on Nov. 9.
According to a source from the Security Service of Ukraine who spoke anonymously to the Kyiv Independent, a ammunition warehouse in Tver Oblast was “literally wiped out of the face of earth” last month.
The U.K. Defense Ministry stated that the combined strikes resulted in “the largest loss” of ammunition in Russia during the all-out war with Ukraine.
The UK Defense Minister says that Russian casualties reached a record high in October.
In an interview published on Nov. 8, the U.K. defense minister stated that Russian forces in Ukraine had their deadliest month ever since the full-scale invasion began.
John Healey, speaking to The Telegraph, said that according to British intelligence figures, the number of deaths and injuries amongst the troops of Moscow in October was 41,980.
This is equivalent to 1,354 per day.
British defense intelligence estimates that Russia has suffered more than 696,000 casualties since the full-scale invasion began. This figure is in line with the current total of 707 540 reported by Ukraine on Nov. 9.
The daily figure reported by Kyiv is 1,660, which is the second highest in the war.
The previous second-highest was reported on October 25, surpassing the previous record of 1530, set only a week before.
The bloodiest day in the history of Moscow’s forces occurred on May 13 when they suffered 1,740 reported casualties.
While Russian forces suffer record losses, they are also making rapid gains in the east Ukraine.
According to a Bloomberg report published on November 1, Ukraine has lost 1146 square kilometers since the start of the Kursk Oblast invasion in early August. The week ending Nov. 1 was reported as the worst for lost territory in 2024.
On Nov. 2, Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukraine was facing ‘one of the most powerful’ Russian offensives since it began the war.
During the autumn, Ukrainian territory, including entire cities, has been lost almost daily in southern Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, Russian forces have made significant operational gains near Toretsk and Chasiv Yar as well as Kupiansk as well as their own soil in Kursk Oblast.
Healey told The Telegraph that despite the grim situation Russia’s momentum wasn’t unstoppable.
When asked if Ukraine can win the war with the help of its Western allies, he responded: “The West must and can.”
Russia to launch 50,000-strong offensive against North Koreans in Kursk Oblast
The New York Times reported that the Russian military is preparing an offensive in Kursk Oblast, with a force of up to 50,000 soldiers. This includes North Korean troops.
According to Ukrainian officials, the attack will start in the near future. Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast last August. It is still holding its positions despite Russian forces reclaiming around half of the territory.
According to a recent U.S. assessment, Russia has amassed 50,000 troops while not pulling its soldiers from the eastern front. The east of Ukraine is still a priority for Russia, and it has made significant gains in southern Donetsk Oblast and near Toretsk Chasiv Yar and Kupiansk.
A U.S. official said to the New York Times that although Russia had retaken parts of Kursk Oblast through missile strikes and artillery, it has not yet launched an offensive there.
According to some experts, the new force could replace Russian soldiers who were injured or killed. Admiral Anthony Radakin, Chief of the U.K. Defence Staff, claimed that Russia lost 1,500 troops per day on average in October.
North Korean troops who arrived in Russia in November are likely to be directly involved with the operation in Kursk Oblast. According to a Ukrainian official, the troops are divided into two units: an assault unit and a supporting unit.
The New York Times reported that they will be fighting as a light infantry and without the assistance from armored vehicles. They are vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery, drone attacks, and other unprotected weapons.
U.S. officials expect Russian and North Korean soldiers to suffer heavy losses in their battle with Ukrainians in Kursk Oblast.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Volodymyr Zelensky, said on November 4, that North Korea had already deployed 11,000 troops in Kursk Oblast.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, said that clashes between Ukrainian and North Korean troops are currently taking place.
Zelensky confirmed that North Korean troops had already suffered casualties on Nov. 7 without specifying a number.
Trump urges Putin to avoid escalation in Ukraine, WP reportsPresident-elect Donald Trump spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 7, marking their first phone conversation since Trump’s election victory, sources familiar with the matter told the Washington Post.
Sources familiar with the conversation said that during the call, Trump advised Putin to not escalate the situation in Ukraine, and he highlighted Washington’s significant presence in Europe. Sources requested anonymity in order to discuss this sensitive topic.
Trump and Putin discussed peace in Europe. Trump expressed interest in continuing discussions aimed at “resolving Ukraine’s conflict soon,” according to multiple sources.
Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine immediately during his campaign but did not provide any details. Trump has privately expressed support for a possible deal that would allow Russia to retain occupied territory. Sources said that during the call, Trump briefly discussed the issue of land.
Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban said during an interview on Nov. 8, “Americans will stop” the Ukraine War under Trump.
This previously unreported phone call took place amid widespread doubt about Trump’s approach in realigning U.S. relations with global allies, and adversaries, following his election victory on the Tuesday.
On Nov. 7, Trump said to NBC that he had spoken to about 70 world leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, since winning the election. Elon Musk joined this call.
According to two sources familiarized with the situation, the Ukrainian government was aware of the conversation between Trump and Putin. It did not object. Sources noted that Ukrainian officials had recognized Trump’s intent to engage with Putin in a possible diplomatic solution.
Trump’s first outreach to world leaders was conducted without the support of the State Department or U.S. Government interpreters. The Trump transition team did not sign an agreement with General Services Administration as is standard in presidential transitions.
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