Key developments for October 18:
* Budanov claims that close to 11,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia will be’ready’ to fight in Ukraine by November 1
Military intelligence: Ukraine liberates Kharkiv Oblast villages key for defense of Kupiansk
Biden says West “cannot let up” support for Ukraine before high-level talks with Germany
Germany and Netherlands detail new military equipment, including Leopard tanks and air defense systems, for Ukraine
Syrskyi: Ukraine is improving its interceptor drones against Russia
Kyrylo Budanov, the Ukrainian military intelligence chief who spoke to War Zone on October 17th, said that close to 11,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia. They will be “ready for combat” in Ukraine by November 1, he said.
Budanov said that the first group of 2,600 troops will be deployed in Russia’s Kursk oblast, where Ukraine launched a cross border incursion into Russia in August and still controls significant territory. The troops will use Russian equipment and ammunition. Further information is not yet available.
Budanov said, “We don’t know the whole picture yet.”
In recent days, concerns about North Korea’s direct participation in Russia’s full scale war have reached a feverish pitch.
At a press conference held in Brussels on October 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia plans to train and engage North Korean specialists as well as infantry in different branches of the military.
He added, “We know that they are preparing to deploy about 10,000 soldiers to fight against us.”
The Kyiv independent contacted the President’s Office about the discrepancy in the figures of Budanov and Zelensky, but did not receive a response as of the publication date.
The National Intelligence Service of South Korea (NIS) reported on October 18 that Pyongyang recently decided to send 12,000 North Korean soldiers to support Russia’s military effort. The NIS did say if they had already deployed the troops or where they could be deployed.
The Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated on October 17 that he could not confirm if there were North Korean forces in Russia, but added that “the U.S. will continue to monitor” the current situation.
If the reports are true, they would “demonstrate Russia’s dire situation, its dire situation in terms of the forces it has on the battlefield.”
Ryder said, “It just shows the desperation of their military in identifying additional forces.”
Military intelligence reports that Ukraine liberates Kharkiv Oblast Village Key for Defense of Kupiansk
Ukraine’s military intelligence reported on October 18 that Ukrainian forces had liberated and “cleared” the village Kruhliakivka, Kharkiv Oblast, of Russian soldiers.
The operation was carried by the Bratstvo Special Forces from 7-14 October with the support of Ukraine’s 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade.
The agency reported that “as a result, the enemy was forced out of the settlement and the occupiers’ routes of movement had been mined.”
HUR said Kruhliakivka was important for the defense Kupiansk. Kupiansk is a strategic town located in Kharkiv Oblast just 40 kilometers away from the Russian border.
Kupiansk, which Ukraine will recapture in 2022 after a renewed Kharkiv offensive by Moscow, has been under increasing pressure from Russian forces for the past few months. Ukraine’s General staff reported that Russian troops had carried out 19 attacks on the sector in the past day.
According to HUR (a Russian news agency), Russia lost more than one platoon of infantry soldiers (usually between 15 and 45 soldiers) in the recent operation. Ukrainian forces reportedly also took over Russian prisoners, after receiving “important intelligence data.”
“The enemy tried to counterattack but was defeated. The agency said that intelligence soldiers repelled occupying forces’ assaults and continued to push out the enemy.
Biden says West “cannot let up” support for Ukraine before high-level talks with Germany
In Berlin, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called for a continuation of Western assistance to Ukraine on October 18. The U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Berlin earlier that day for high-level discussions with the leaders from Germany, France, and the U.K. about Russia’s full scale war against Ukraine and ongoing conflict in Middle East.
“We cannot stop. We must continue to support the cause. Biden said, “I believe we must continue until Ukraine achieves a just and lasting peace in accordance with the U.N. Charter.”
The West must “ensure Ukraine prevails, (Russian President Vladimir Putin) fails and NATO remains stronger and more united than before.”
Biden had cancelled previous foreign trips in order to oversee recovery efforts following a series devastating hurricanes that hit the east coast.
“Ready for old friends and to strengthen our close alliance, as we stand together in the fight for freedom and against tyranny throughout the world,” Biden wrote via X. He shared a photo of his arrival in Berlin.
Biden will hold bilateral discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier prior to a larger meeting with other leaders.
A senior U.S. Official said that the conversation would focus on the situation in Ukraine’s battlefield, the war’s trajectory, and how allies could best support Ukraine.
Steinmeier thanked Biden in a speech outside of the presidential palace for his role in stabilizing the U.S. role in NATO.
“When you became president, you literally restored Europe’s hopes in the transatlantic partnership overnight.”
Germany and Netherlands detail new military equipment, including Leopard tanks and air defense systems, for Ukraine
On October 17, Germany and the Netherlands presented new packages of military aid to Ukraine that had either already been delivered or were on their way.
The Netherlands has ordered six DITA self-propelled howitzers to be sent to Ukraine. They also ordered an unspecified number of 152mm shells.
Germany announced that it had handed over new military equipment. This included eight Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks and 20 Marder infantry combat vehicles. It also included four mine-resistant vehicles (MRAP), an IRIS-T air defense system and one IRIS T SLS air defence system.
On Oct. 18, the Danish Defense Ministry announced a new military aid package worth 2.4 billion kroners ($350 million).
According to the statement, the package includes weapons from Denmark’s stockpiles and funding for air defence systems with Germany. It also includes contributions to the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
A part of the funds will go towards expanding training programs for Ukrainian military personnel.
Troels Lund-Poulsen, Danish Defense Minister, said that the government was working on a decision to continue purchasing directly from the Ukrainian defence industry. This includes drones.
Syrskyi: Ukraine is developing interceptor drones against Russia
Oleksandr Sryskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Air Force, said that the country is improving its drone interceptors as a replacement for anti-aircraft weapons to counter Russian drone strikes.
Syrskyi held a meeting with the top commanders of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in order to discuss the implementation of innovations in Ukraine’s defense sector. He said that Ukraine was the leader in developing interceptor drones.
Ukraine and Russia invested heavily in drone technology during Russia’s full scale invasion, revolutionizing warfare. Multiple videos show how Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) aerial drones have destroyed Russian reconnaissance drones, as well as other expensive equipment on the battlefield.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have implemented relevant solutions, assisted, trained, and produced drones that intercept enemy UAVs” (unmanned aerial vehicle), the general added.
According to Syrskyi the air command authorities are also introducing automation systems to help destroy Russian aerial targets with greater effectiveness.
Ukraine officials warn that Russia could resume its attacks on Ukraine’s energy industry in the coming months. He lists the protection of critical infrastructure with air defenses as a key task ahead of winter.
Syrsyi stated that the Air Force continues to be equipped with modern electronic warfare system. “This will increase protection of facilities from air strikes.”
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