In an interview with Ukrainian news outlet Glavkom, published on October 8, Oleksandr OKhrimenko, commander 72nd Mechanized Brigade said that Russian troops were outnumbered by about 9:1.
Kyiv announced its withdrawal from Vuhledar, after Russian forces swarmed first the flanks of the town and then entered the urban area.
The 72nd Mechanized Brigada defended Vuhledar for more than two years without rotating. It was one of the key strongholds in Ukraine’s defense of Donetsk Oblast.
Vuhledar, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) east of the administrative boundary with Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been under heavy Russian pressure since 2022.
Okhrimenko said that Moscow sent the 36th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of Russia, 39th Brigade and 57th Brigade as well as the 91st Separate Rifle Regiment to the final attack Vuhledar.
The commander said that the enemy had superiority over his forces in terms of tanks, infantry fighting vehicle, artillery, anti-tank weapons and personnel.
Okhrimenko stated that the attacking side could gain an edge on the battlefield by having three times more forces and means than the other. This is a ratio that is commonly used in military doctrines around the world.
“It was 1:19 in Vuhledar. You can objectively assess the chances of holding this settlement and the defensive line in the brigade sector of responsibility,” added he.
Ukraine has faced challenges in 2024 in defending its front line, especially in Donetsk Oblast where Russia has consistently focused its offensive potential.
In addition to Vuhledar the Russian forces have focused their efforts on the Donetsk Oblast towns of Pokrovsk & Toretsk where Ukrainian soldiers, outnumbered and outgunned, are slowly losing ground.
Biden was to convene in Germany a meeting of leaders of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on October 12, where President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected present his victory plan.
Local authorities reported that Russian forces used guided aerial bombs to attack a densely-populated area in Kharkiv on Oct. 8. At least two people were killed and five others injured.
“We believe this issue, the extension of the Russian sanctions should be decided after U.S. election.” We need to see what direction the new U.S. administration takes on this issue, said Mihaly Varga, the Hungarian Finance minister.
Oleksandr Ohrimenko, commander 72nd Mechanized Brigade, said: “The enemy had superiority on tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery systems as well as anti-tank weapons and personnel.”
The police announced on October 8 that the head of an inter-district Center for Medical and Social Experts located in Kyiv would appear in court for allegedly issuing fake disability certificates.
The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom announced on October 8 that sanctions were issued against Russian units who used chemical weapons in the battlefield in Ukraine.
In a post shared on the official account of the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s X page, Carlos M. Pereira said that Cuba had officially requested to be a BRICS ‘Partner Country.’ This was done through a formal letter sent to Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia.
The documentary of Anastasia Trofimova has been criticized by many for what they perceive to be an attempt to whitewash Russians who were involved in the war.
“As Russia has signed a treaty with North Korea that is similar to a military alliance,” South Korean Defense minister Kim Yong-Hyun told the parliament.
The governor initially claimed that Russia used KAB air bombs, but later clarified the type of weapon still being determined.
Regional authorities reported that Russian attacks in Ukraine have killed at least 3 people and injured 50 others, including children, over the past 24 hours, according to regional authorities.
In an interview broadcast on October 7, Vice President Kamala Harri said that Washington would address Ukraine’s possible entrance into NATO “if and whenever it reaches that point.”
According to Oleh Kiper, the Governor of Odesa Oblast, Russian forces attacked a foreign civil ship flying the flags of Palau in Odesa. The attack resulted in the death of a 60-year-old Ukrainian port worker and the injury of five foreigners.
Unidentified sources in the government told Reuters, as well as several Ukrainian media outlets, that the cyberattack was carried by Ukrainian hackers to “congratulate” Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday.
A French minister announced that the planes would be fitted with “new equipment: air-to ground combat capabilities and antielectronic war defense.”
After the Slovak government declined to participate, the “Ammunition for Ukraine campaign” raised almost 4.5 millions euros ($4.9million) for the Czech artillery project.
NGL Media reported on October 7 that soldiers received inedible food cans on the front lines. This was according to a serviceman, who turned to NGL Media to express his concern to leadership after failing to communicate directly with decision makers.
“The fighting is occurring within Toretsk.” The situation is unstable, and fights are taking place literally at the entrances of every building,” Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian forces have suffered 1,340 casualties in the last day alone.
According to independent Russian media outlet Proekt, President Vladimir Putin stopped visiting his residence at Sochi because of concerns about drone attacks. The outlet revealed the main building at the Bocharov Ruchey home was demolished in the early part of this year.
In an interview broadcast on October 7, Democratic presidential candidate Kamalah Harris said that if elected, she would not engage in peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Ukraine was involved.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com