Victory Chronicles-DAY 1000

According to a source in the Defense Forces, the Ukrainian military has fired its first US long-range ATACMS missile into Russian territory. The strike allegedly targeted the 67th arsenal of the GRU in Karachev, Bryansk region. While the Ukrainian government or military leadership has made no official comments, the General Staff confirmed that an attack did take place on a logistics arsenal near Karachev. 

The Center for Countering Disinformation reported that the depot contained artillery ammunition, including North Korean ammunition, KABs, anti-aircraft missiles, and MLRS ammunition. As of 2:30 a.m., there were reports of 12 secondary explosions and detonations in the target area. 

The General Staff stated that the destruction of ammunition depots belonging to the Russian occupiers will continue as an effort to stop the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the country’s defense industry to produce 3,000 cruise missiles, drone missiles, and 30,000 long-range drones by 2025. He announced during a speech in Ukraine’s Parliament that Ukraine plans to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones in the coming year. President Zelenskyy also mentioned the success of Ukraine’s missile program, explicitly highlighting the Ukrainian Neptunes. He stated that the country has already made strides in this area and mentioned the production of over 2.5 million mortar rounds and artillery shells in 2024. 

Law enforcement officers have concluded their search and rescue operation following a Russian missile attack on a dormitory in Hlukhiv, Sumy region. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to 11 others. One of the victims, Senior defender Mykola “Tyson” Hergeliuk, had previously been seriously wounded by an enemy mortar attack while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk region. 

Artillery personnel from the “Hart” border brigade in the Vovchansk sector effectively targeted enemy strongholds, eliminating at least 14 enemy occupants. Their accurate fire also destroyed fortifications, enemy dugouts, and vehicles. These actions were carried out as part of the brigade’s efforts to maintain border security in Ukraine.

Russian officials continued to use threatening rhetoric as part of efforts to deter the United States from publicly authorizing Ukraine’s use of US-provided ATACMS in limited strikes against Russian and North Korean military targets in Kursk Oblast. 

This US authorization, if officially confirmed, would notably be a mild response to Russia’s escalatory introduction of North Korean troops as active combatants in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed on November 18 that the United States is “adding fuel to the fire” and that the US authorization of Ukrainian ATACMS strikes against Russian military targets would be a “qualitatively new round of tension” and a “qualitative” change in US participation in the war. 

Peskov reiterated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s September 12 claims that Ukrainian strikes against Russia using Western-provided weapons would represent an escalation and directly involve Western countries in the war.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova also reiterated Putin’s September statements and further claimed that Ukrainian long-range missile strikes on Russia would be a “radical change in the essence and nature” of the war and that the Russian response would be “adequate and tangible.”

Russian State Duma and Federation Council deputies made similar threats, claiming that Russia would be “forced” to respond to this “escalation,” including with strikes against Ukraine using unspecified “new” weapons systems, and that Russia’s new nuclear doctrine will outline the consequences of this US decision. Russia has not previously escalated militarily against any perceived Western violations of Russia’s “red lines” — as ISW has repeatedly observed.

Senior fighter Mykola “Tyson” Hergeliuk died in a hospital in Dnipro on 26 July 2024. A week before, during a combat mission in the Donetsk region, the defender was seriously injured as a result of an enemy mortar attack. The defender would have been 25 years old now.

Mykola was born in the village of Poliske, in the Rivne region. He graduated from Poliske Secondary School. He was a bright student, actively participated in volleyball and football competitions, valued friendship, and always responded to requests for help. He received his professional education at Rivne Higher Vocational School No. 1, specializing in construction finishing. He was a cheerful person. For his parents, he was the only loving and caring son who always helped them in everything. Mykola made life plans and realized his dreams.

During the full-scale war, he defended the country as a 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade member. He was a gunner of a particular purpose group (fire support) of a special purpose reconnaissance platoon.

For his service, he received several awards, including the ‘War Veteran’ badge and the ‘Defender of Ukraine’ medal. ‘Every time, during short-term holidays, I begged my son to stay at home, to which he replied that he had to be there with his comrades. His colleagues remember him every day and say they miss him very much. For his comrades, he was an example and an incentive to always go into battle and not be afraid. Mykola was a true patriot of Ukraine, a strong, brave and courageous warrior who, despite the danger, always performed combat missions with confidence and professionalism. His courage and self-sacrifice will always remain in our hearts. He has become an example for all of us, and we will never forget his feat,’ Valentyn’s mother wrote. The defender was buried in his native village. Mykola is survived by his parents, relatives and friends.

*Mykola’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• NYT: Russia suffers huge losses in Ukraine but continues to mobilise hundreds daily
• Polish foreign minister: EU is ready to take on burden of helping Ukraine if US cuts support
• President Zelenskyy comments on attack on Russian arsenal in Bryansk: Ukraine will use all long-range capabilities
• German opposition criticizes Scholz for refusing to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine
• CoE declaration: Russia grossly violates international law, must be held accountable