Victory Chronicles-DAY 616

The Russian invaders tried to restore their lost positions near Klishchiivka and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast but were unsuccessful, with 68 combat clashes taking place at the frontline during the day. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this.

On the Bakhmut front, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to restore their lost positions near Klishchiivka and Andriivka, where the defenders repelled five attacks of Russians. Russian forces also conducted unsuccessful assault operations in Pivdenne (Donetsk Oblast). At the same time, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are continuing assault operations south of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, inflicting losses on Russia in manpower and equipment and consolidating their positions.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavria Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, the Russians keep trying to surround Avdiivka. They are using aircraft to support their troops. Ukrainian fig are standing firm on the defensive and inflicting significant losses on the Russian forces. For example, Russian offensive actions were unsuccessful in the areas of the settlements of Avdiivka, Keramik, Sieverne, Pervomaiske, and Stepove (Donetsk Oblast), where the defenders repelled about 20 attacks.

Russians attacked a record number of times during day, firing on Kremenchuk, Nikopol, and Ochakiv at night. Russian troops attacked settlements in Poltava, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts on the night of 31 October – 1 November.

“The enemy fired on 118 settlements in 10 oblasts during the past day. This is a record number of towns and villages that have come under attack since the beginning of the year. The occupiers launched large-scale attacks on the territory of Ukraine at night, killing and injuring people,” said Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Russians hit oil refinery in Kremenchuk, fire breaks out. The Russians hit an oil refinery in Kremenchuk with Shahed drones on the night of 31 October – 1 November, causing a fire. “The enemy repeatedly attacked Poltava Oblast using UAVs at night. The air raid lasted for over four hours. Unfortunately, an oil refinery in Kremenchuk was hit. A fire broke out and was extinguished by firefighters. The situation is under control,” said Filip Pronin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration. Early reports indicate that there were no casualties. Information about the extent of the damage is being established. The oil refinery is not working as of now. All relevant services are at the scene.

Russians shelled a vehicle depot in Kherson. This was reported by Roman Mrochko the Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration. “The missile attack destroyed the warehouse and damaged at least half a dozen vehicles. Two employees were injured. The 34-year-old driver had his legs injured, and the 58-year-old janitor had his head injured. The victims are now in hospital,” said Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration.

Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 31. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in the Melitopol (western Zaporizhia Oblast) and Bakhmut directions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi to discuss the situation on the front in the Kupyansk, Avdiivka, and Kherson directions.

Russian forces launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on October 31. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces launched four Iskander-M missiles and an S-300 air defense missile at targets in Ukraine. Zaporizhia Oblast Military Administration Head Yurii Malashko reported that Russian forces struck Zaporizhia City with a missile. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched an unspecified number of Shahed-131/136 drones at targets in Khmelnytskyi and Poltava oblasts and that Ukrainian air defenses activated in these oblasts.

Junior Sergeant Kostiantyn Myndru, with the call sign Masiania, died on July 18, 2023, during an assault near the village of Nevelske, Donetsk Oblast. He was fatally wounded as a result of an enemy tank attack. The warrior was 31 years old.

Kostiantyn was born in the village of Novoselivka, Mykolaiv Oblast. He graduated from the Arbuzyn Professional Agricultural Lyceum. He was fond of tattooing. He lived with his family in Odesa. Later he decided to devote himself to military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed combat missions on the territory of the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation in 2018-2019.

At the time of the full-scale invasion, Kostiantyn served in the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk. He was the commander of the anti-aircraft missile squad of the anti-aircraft missile platoon of the 10th separate infantry battalion ” Polissia”. From the first days of the great war, he and his comrades repelled enemy attacks in different directions of the front.

“Kostiantyn was a cheerful and sincere person. He voluntarily went to defend our homeland with the words, “if not me, then who?”. He had good honors among his comrades and commanders, always diligently fulfilled all the tasks of the commander, and had a brave spirit and great faith in our victory. He wanted to live in a free homeland, a free country, and build a bright life. He really wanted a daughter and a son, but he did not have time… I will always remember him and keep him in my heart and soul. I miss him very much, it hurts a lot,” wrote Victoria Stepanova, the wife of the fallen fighter. The defender was buried in his native village. Kostiantyn is survived by his father, sisters and wife.

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