Ramstein-16, organization of evacuation of Ukrainians from Israel and Gaza: highlights of October 11

Ramstein-16

The 16th meeting in the Ramstein format took place in Brussels, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended offline for the first time.

The Ministry of Defense said that at the meeting, Ukraine expanded its cooperation programs with partner countries. A number of countries announced further military support:

• The United States will provide $200 million in security assistance. In particular, Ukraine will receive ammunition for air defense and artillery, missiles, anti-tank weapons, and anti-drone weapons. In addition, the United States will lead a coalition to develop the Ukrainian Air Force.
• The United Kingdom will finance demining and equipment maintenance. The country will allocate €115 million in this area.
• Denmark will deliver F-16s in early March or April 2024.
• Finland will provide a new aid package worth €95 million.
• Canada will allocate $25 million for warm uniforms for the Ukrainian military and preparations for the winter campaign.
• Belgium announced that in 2025 Belgium will provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. The country will continue to train F-16 pilots and mission planners, and offers to provide technical support to the fleet.
• Norway will provide $18.5 million for demining for Ukraine.
• Spain guarantees the transfer of additional air defense systems, warm clothing for the military, and generators. The country will also provide €1.5 million for humanitarian demining in Ukraine.
• Germany will reinforce the Ukrainian army with additional missiles and tanks.
• Bulgaria has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ukraine in the defense sector, including cybersecurity, strategic communications, and logistical assistance. In addition, the country will help with language courses for F-16 pilots.
• Lithuania will provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with two NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems, 155 mm artillery ammunition, as well as power generators, army camping beds, and warm uniforms for the winter campaign.

Evacuation of Ukrainians from Israel and Gaza Strip

Over the next few days, Ukraine will begin evacuating its citizens in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The first evacuation flight from Israel to Romania will take place on October 14. The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel has already provided 200 tickets for this flight.

First of all, the most vulnerable groups of the population are being assisted: those who came to the country for medical treatment, families with children, and tourists whose flights were canceled and who are unable to leave the country in any other way.

There is only one crossing point in the Gaza Strip in Rafah (on the border with Egypt), which is occasionally closed. Currently, 160 Ukrainian citizens are on the evacuation lists from the Palestinian territory, but their number is growing. The authorities will try to take out as many of them as possible on Thursday and Friday.

Shelling of a gymnasium in Nikopol

On October 11, Russian troops fired rockets at Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The occupation forcces partially destroyed the gymnasium. The attack killed a 72-year-old man and three women aged 69, 67 and 60.

Two more victims are being treated.

In the town, 42 private houses, 18 outbuildings, a shop, a utility company, cars, solar panels and power lines were damaged.

Another Ukrainian died in Israel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has received confirmation of the death of another Ukrainian as a result of hostilities in Israel, which was attacked by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The total number of known fatalities among Ukrainian citizens is now three. Also, nine Ukrainians were injured. Their condition and places of hospitalization are being clarified.

Another six Ukrainians are considered missing. Diplomats in cooperation with Israeli law enforcement are searching for them.

Situation near Avdiyivka

The head of the city military administration Vitaliy Barabash said that on October 10, the occupiers launched a massive offensive near Avdiyivka, and the fighting has been going on for two days. Yesterday the Russian foces deployed about 2,000 of their troops in this area.

"This morning about 10 rockets hit the city, there are hits on multi-storey buildings, hits on open ground, hits on the grounds of Avdiivka Coke Plant and the old part of the city," said Barabash.

A man born in 1938 was killed in the city. There are also two injured. In addition, the Russians conducted an air strike, after which the authorities are looking for people under the rubble.

In a morning report, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that on the Avdiyivka axis, Russian forces of up to three battalions, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, intensified offensive actions in the areas of Avdiivka, Tonenke, Keramik and Pervomayske in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian defenders repelled all the attacks and prevented the loss of lines and positions.

Other news

• The death toll in the village of Hroza has risen to 55 people.
• Belgium has set up a €1.7 billion fund for Ukraine. It is financed by taxes on frozen assets of the Russian Federation.
• The Court of Appeal upheld MP Nestor Shufrych's detention. He is suspected of treason.
• MP Yaroslav Dubnevych is suspected of embezzling UAH 2.1 billion ($57.6 million) worth of gas.