Russia continues to advance, losing veteran pilots?

Russian forces participate in military campaign in Ukraine

TASS SCREENSHOT

The Kyiv Independent on October 21 quoted information from the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) that Russian pilot Dmitry Golenkov died in the town of Suponevo in Russia's Bryansk province on October 20.

The pilot reportedly suffered multiple head injuries, apparently caused by a hammer. HUR released photos showing the body of pilot Golenkov in an apple orchard, but did not accept responsibility for the incident.

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Pilot Golenkov was the chief of staff of a Russian air force squadron. He was a pilot of the 52nd heavy bomber regiment of the Russian Air Force, based at Shaykovka airfield and had Tu-22M3 bombers. Russia used these planes to carry out missile strikes on Ukraine.

According to Ukraine, the pilot participated in missile attacks on Ukrainian targets, including the Amstor shopping center in the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava province in June 2022.

A Russian Tu-22M3R bomber at Kubinka Air Base in Moscow

Screenshot of The Kyiv Independent

More than 1,000 people were inside the building at the time of the attack, which killed 22 people and injured dozens, according to authorities. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the attack but said it hit a nearby weapons depot and factory.

In addition, pilot Golenkov is also accused of participating in an attack on an apartment building in the city of Dnipro in January 2023, which killed 46 people, including 6 children.

Russia and Ukraine have consistently denied allegations of targeting civilians in the conflict.

Ukraine in trouble

Foreign Affairs magazine published an analysis on October 21 arguing that Ukraine needs to stop Russia's advance on the front line by addressing a number of tactical challenges in order to negotiate from a position of strength.

“Over the summer, Russia managed to establish a number of significant advantages over Ukrainian forces, allowing them to make slow but steady progress through Ukrainian defenses,” wrote Jack Watling, a senior research fellow in land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Russia is advancing at its fastest pace in two years.

The expert said Russia has exploited Ukraine's manpower challenges along the eastern front, making gradual gains over the past few months, including taking control of the town of Ugledar and advancing on the town of Toretsk in the Donetsk region.

"Along with the capture of key towns around the Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk, these gains show that Russia is establishing an effective formula to undermine Ukraine's ability to hold its position," he analyzed.

According to him, Ukrainian forces are dangerously stretched along a frontline stretching more than 900 kilometers, while recruitment and training have not been enough to compensate for losses, and supplies of artillery, ammunition, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are also running low.

“To end the war on favorable terms, Ukraine must first stabilize the front, gain maximum leverage over Russia and secure security guarantees to ensure it can prosper and maintain security after the conflict. To achieve those goals, Kyiv must clearly align with its international partners,” he said.

Russian Black Sea Fleet redeployed

Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian-appointed official in Zaporizhzhia, confirmed that Russia had redeployed warships in its Black Sea fleet due to an attack by Ukrainian drone boats.

The information in an interview with the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper on October 21 matches previous statements by Ukrainian officials.

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According to the Kyiv Independent , Ukraine's successful airstrikes forced Moscow to withdraw most of its naval forces from the peninsula to the city of Novorossiysk in Krasnodar, which has become an important port for Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

According to Mr. Rogozin, a “military-technical revolution” took place during Russia’s war against Ukraine, affecting the usefulness of traditional weapons systems. He called the Russian Black Sea Fleet a weapons system that has undergone changes in warfare.

“[The Black Sea Fleet] was forced… to change its place of residence because large Russian ships became targets for enemy drones,” he said.

In another development, Reuters quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as calling on allies to help prevent increased Russian attacks on port infrastructure in the Black Sea.

US aid to Ukraine

Ukrinform quoted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as saying the US will provide a new military aid package to Ukraine worth $400 million.

Ukrainian delegation received the US delegation in Kyiv on October 21.

The information was released during Mr. Austin’s surprise visit to Kyiv on October 21. The exact contents of the latest aid package are not yet clear, but Mr. Austin said it will include ammunition, military equipment and weapons.

Mr Austin's visit is aimed at showing support for Ukraine as the country continues to lose control of areas to Russian forces.

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The visit also comes as Western countries have yet to fully support the country's latest plan to end the conflict, as well as as the US approaches its presidential election.

This is Mr. Austin's third visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of war in February 2022 and comes three days after US President Joe Biden met with allied leaders in Germany to call for support for Ukraine, according to CNN.

Writing on social network X, Mr. Zelensky said he had discussed with Mr. Austin air defense and the topic of attacking deep into Russian territory.

“In addition, we are focusing on efforts to increase production of attack drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells and air defense systems,” he said.

The leader added that Secretary Austin shared with him plans to convene the next Ramstein meeting on Ukraine support, after the October meeting was postponed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-971-nga-tiep-tuc-tien-len-mat-phi-cong-ky-cuu-18524102121265207.htm