Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries, said on Nov. 2 that the Belgian manufacturer Thales had agreed with the Ukrainian defense sector to produce missiles against drones in a joint venture.
Smetanin stated that “this cooperation will strengthen the Ukrainian defence industry and protect critical infrastructure from enemy drones.”
In recent months, Russia increased drone strikes while reducing the use of cruise and ballistic missiles that are more powerful and difficult to intercept.
The General Staff reported that more than 2,000 drones were launched in October against Ukraine, breaking the previous record of nearly 700.
The two companies have signed a memorandum on cooperation. The minister said that the work between Kyiv, Belgium and other countries will expand in the future to include technology transfer and the production of missile components.
Thales is the only company in the world that develops, manufactures and supplies a complete rocket systems, including weapons, ammunition and fire control systems. It is a specialist in air-to-ground rocket systems of 70mm.
Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries, said: “This cooperation will strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry and protect critical infrastructure from enemy drones.”
The Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces shot down 39 of the 71 drones launched overnight by Russia, including those of the Shahed type and others unidentified. The Air Force added that 21 drones were “lost” and five more flew towards Russia.
Kyiv City military administration said that all drones that were threatening the city had been neutralized, without specifying how many drones were shot down.
“Active hostilities which continue in certain regions require constant renewal of resources of Ukrainian units,” Commander in Chief Oleksandr Sryskyi said.
According to Ukraine’s intelligence services, North Korean soldiers were equipped with 60-mm mortars and AK-12 rifles. They also received machine guns, sniper weapons, Feniks guided anti-tank missiles, as well as hand-held antitank grenade launches.
This includes 1,270 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
Two S-400 missiles struck a police station in the early hours of Nov. 1, killing Andrii Matvienko. According to the Interior Ministry, 36 police officers, 9 civilians and 1 rescuer were injured.
Robert Shonov, an ex-employee of the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok was arrested in 2023 on charges of passing information to the U.S. about Russia’s war against Ukraine. He was sentenced on Nov. 1 to four years, 10 months and 10 days in prison.
Two U.S.-based pollsters commissioned by Georgian opponents are questioning the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream Party was declared victorious.
“This is a key step towards the full launch 5G in Ukraine which we plan to finish by 2030,” Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Federorov said on November 1.
Zelensky stated that if Ukraine were granted permission to use long-range Western weapons on Russian soil, it could target “every camp” where North Korean troops gather in Russia.
SPP, the state-owned gas importer in Slovakia, said: “We regularly discuss this topic with our partners. However, the information that a gas supply agreement will be signed with SPP’s participation is not true.”
“And we assure you that we will stand firmly alongside our Russian comrades until the day of victory,” said North Korean Foreign Minister Choe son Hui during her talks with Sergey Lavrov, her Russian counterpart.
Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said that this “cannot help but surprise” given the Turkish leadership’s statements about their willingness to mediate between Ukraine & Russia.
The recent military assistance was provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which removes weapons from U.S. stockpiles.
The Kyiv Independent has joined a unit called the Witches of Bucha. They are named after a suburb of Kyiv Oblast, where they are located. All of these women are volunteers and combine their combat duties with civilian life.
Bloomberg reported that Russia has captured 1,146 sq km (442 sq miles) of Ukraine since Aug. 6. This is about a quarter larger than the first seven months this year.
Estonian intelligence stated that North Korean soldiers are trained to fight in mountainous terrain and are therefore unfamiliar with the climate and geography of Ukraine.
The Main Inspectorate of Defense Ministry audits ministry activities, including monitoring quality of military training, staffing and oversight of military aviation safety. It also conducts technical investigations.
“At this time, they don’t have an advantage in the towns.” The contact line has stabilized,” Anastasia Bobovnikova said, a spokesperson for the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk.
“We are trying to help but we are also a frontline country.” “Russia also threatens us and not everything is feasible,” said Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish Foreign Minister.
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