Victory Chronicles-DAY 1008

Russia is currently utilizing Tu-160 strategic bombers that Ukraine had transferred to them in 1999. Ukraine handed over these aircraft to Russia as part of an agreement in exchange for repayment of debts owed for Russian gas. Investigative journalists compared the serial numbers of the aircraft in agreement with data from international aviation registers and the number of bombers used by Russia. As a result, it was discovered that a total of ten Ukrainian strategic aircraft were transferred to Russia. These Tu-160s were given different names in Russia. 

At least six of these aircraft are currently in service with the Russian army. The investigation also revealed that the transfer of these aircraft and missiles took place without the approval of the Ukrainian parliament. Additionally, the investigation states that the cost of the weapons was understated by ten times.

According to The Economist, various sources indicate that during the nearly three-year Russian invasion, Ukraine may have lost between 60,000 to 100,000 defenders in combat. Additionally, around 400,000 fighters were likely seriously wounded. However, the journalists caution that these numbers are difficult to verify independently and may not account for missing or presumed dead defenders. While these figures provide a rough estimate, they do not include civilian deaths, for which limited available data exists. It is believed that tens of thousands of civilians may have been killed.

Russian troops shelled the city of Sumy, resulting in the death of two individuals. There is also a person believed to be under the rubble. A service station, house, and kindergarten suffered damage as well. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his concern and stated that a rescue operation is currently underway in Sumy. He emphasized the necessity of destroying Russian weapons and launchers on Russian territory as a means of defending against further attacks. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of being able to strike at Russian territory to limit Russian terror and their ability to fight. He expressed gratitude to partners who understand and communicate this message to others.

UAV operators of the Safari Assault Regiment of the Luty National Police Brigade tracked and adjusted the fire of friendly units on important targets of the aggressor. The Grad MLRS, the Peon SA and the Ural truck were destroyed by the fire of neighbouring units. This was reported by the official channel of the National Police of Ukraine.

The Russian military’s rate of advance since Fall 2024 has notably increased recently compared to its rate of advance in 2023 and the rest of 2024, but recent Western media reports comparing recent Russian gains to those at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion continue to mischaracterize the gradual and tactical nature of Russia’s recent advances.

ISW assesses that Russian forces have gained 574 square kilometers since November 1, 2024 — an average rate of 22 square kilometers per day. This is remarkably less than the 1,265 square kilometers per day that ISW assesses Russian forces were gaining in March 2022. Reuters’ November 26 report that Russian forces “control” over 80 percent of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts is also misleading.

ISW assesses that while Russian forces occupy roughly 99 percent of Luhansk Oblast, Russian forces only occupy about 66 percent of Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces have occupied almost the entirety of Luhansk Oblast since Fall 2022 but have occupied significantly less territory in Donetsk Oblast throughout the war. ISW recently assessed that Russian forces still need to seize over 8,000 square kilometers of territory to achieve the Kremlin’s self-defined objective of seizing the territory of Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces would seize the remainder of Donetsk Oblast in roughly one year should Russian forces continue their recent relatively quicker rate of advance — which is not a given. Russian forces notably have been bypassing Ukrainian strongpoints, and Ukraine still has several well-defended cities in Donetsk Oblast, such as Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, that Russian forces likely cannot seize as rapidly as they have with the rural fields near Pokrovsk. ISW continues to assess that Russian forces have not been able to restore operational maneuver to the battlefield to make deep penetrations into Ukrainian positions, as seen in the initial months of the full-scale invasion. Russian forces have instead been exploiting identified vulnerabilities in Ukrainian defenses to make gradual advances.

Ukrainian defender Anton (Matityahu) “Chabadnik” Samborsky, died as a result of an enemy mortar attack on 24 August 2024. The 33-year-old fighter fought his last battle near the village of Heorhiivka, Donetsk region. For some time, the defender was considered missing, but later, unfortunately, his death was confirmed.

Anton was born in Kyiv. He had a basic secondary education. He worked as a merchandiser in the service department of IDS. According to his colleagues, they are proud to have known him. The man was a follower of the Chabad movement, the largest Jewish religious organization in the world, and lived with faith in his heart.

With the outbreak of full-scale war, he defended the country as part of the Territorial Defence and was later transferred to the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade, where he served as an assistant grenade launcher of the 9th company of the 3rd battalion. Anton (Matityahu) Samborsky was posthumously awarded the Order ‘For Courage’, III class.

‘My beloved husband and the father of our daughter Evelina, who was only 2 months old when her father was killed. He was a very sensitive, loving, best husband and father in the world. This is a great pain and loss for us,’ said the deceased’s wife. The defender was buried according to Jewish traditions in the cemetery of Barakhty village, Kyiv region. Anton is survived by his wife, daughter and other relatives.

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

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