Return of military from captivity, training of North Korean soldiers in Russia: October 18 highlights
Human rights defender and military man Maksym Butkevych was returned from Russian captivity to Ukraine, and later the release of another 94 defenders was confirmed. The Russian troops executed what was probably a wounded soldier in New York in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian spies say that Russia is training North Korean soldiers who will be ready for combat as early as next month. We collected the main news for October 18.
95 soldiers were released from captivity, and the bodies of fallen defenders were also returned
Human rights defender, journalist, public figure, and serviceman Maksym Butkevych was released from Russian captivity.
A total of 95 Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine.
In addition, as a result of repatriation measures, Ukraine returned the bodies of 501 fallen defenders to the controlled territory.
The Russians executed a soldier in Donetsk Oblast
Russian soldiers in the Bakhmut sector shot a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who might have been wounded. According to law enforcement officers, it happened in New York at the beginning of September. They started an investigation.
Ukraine does not plan to reduce the mobilization age
Currently, Ukraine does not plan to reduce the mobilization age to 18, despite the fact that the country's partners would like such a decision.
"We have been mobilizing for 25 years, and we still see no reason to introduce these changes. I believe that it is dangerous today," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.
DIU fighters liberated Kruhlyakivka in Kharkiv Oblast
Special agents of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense liberated and cleared from the Russians an important area — the village of Kruhlyakivka, Kupyansk district, Kharkiv Oblast, and its surroundings.
The operation lasted from October 7 to 14. The military managed to take prisoners and obtain intelligence.
Budanov says that the military from North Korea will be ready to fight against Ukraine from November
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that Russia is preparing more than 11,000 troops from North Korea for the war in Ukraine. Now they are undergoing training, and they will be ready for combat operations from November 1.
This was confirmed by South Korean intelligence. They found out there that now soldiers from the DPRK are in Russia’s Far East.
Partners will deliver new security assistance
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that now aid packages will be provided to Ukraine once every two to three weeks in order to strengthen the army by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Canada has announced that it will give Ukraine a package of military aid worth $47 million. Denmark announced a new aid package worth 321 million euros.
Other news
- Needles were found in the meat supplied to the military: the State Logistics Operator promises to conduct an investigation.
- Ukraine will be able to receive a $1.1 billion tranche from the IMF, says PM Denys Shmyhal.
- Zelenskyy believes that the existing economic draft deferral models are "not completely fair".
- Putin will not go to the G20 summit in Brazil, where he could be arrested on a warrant from the ICC.