Victory Chronicles-DAY 621

The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade based in Zakarpattia Oblast has confirmed the deaths of 19 fighters from a Russian attack during celebrations near the frontline on 3 November. “A missile strike by the insidious enemy has claimed the lives of 19 fighters of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade based in Zakarpattia Oblast… Our best fighters were killed… We promise to avenge our brothers-in-arms one hundred times over,” reported the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that criminal proceedings had been initiated over an episode in which Russian missiles struck a group of Ukrainian fighters at an award ceremony in the south of the country, killing some and leaving others wounded.

Only 7% of personnel serving in Russian “Sudoplatov” and “Margelov” pseudo-volunteer battalions in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts are locals, the Ukrainian military’s National Resistance Center reported on Nov. 5, citing Russia’s estimates. The units’ personnel is mainly comprised of Russians and Serbian mercenaries, which means most residents of the occupied territories have ignored Russia’s recruitment campaign into so-called volunteer battalions, according to the center.

The 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade released photos of destroyed Russian military equipment. “They were going somewhere. They were planning something. They had a certain idea. However, the enemy did not take into account our vision of their plan… And the fighters of the 72nd Brigade named after the Black Cossacks thought… and did. Glory to Ukraine!”, the press service of the 72nd Brigade wrote.

The fighters of the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Kniazia (Prince) Roman the Great eliminated the military equipment of the Russian occupiers. The public relations service of the 14th separate mechanized brigade released the video.

Ukrainian forces reportedly intensified strikes on rear Russian areas in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea on November 5. Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces struck Skadovsk, occupied Kherson Oblast on the night of November 4-5.

Russian sources claimed that Russian forces also disabled Ukrainian drones targeting a railway at an oil refinery in Dzhankoi, occupied Crimea on November 5. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted a Storm Shadow missile strike on Berdyansk, Zaporizhia Oblast on November 5. Ukrainian Berdyansk City Military Administration Head Viktoria Halitsyna stated that locals reported two explosions in the city but that the Ukrainian General Staff was clarifying information.

Ukrainian Chief of the Main Directorate of the Missile Troops and Artillery and Unmanned Systems Brigadier General Serhiy Baranov notably stated in an interview with the Independent published on November 4 that Ukrainian forces intend to “capitalize” on their learned experiences and conduct large-scale drone strikes on Russian targets when fighting slows in the winter. The Independent reported that Baranov stated that Ukraine intends to build on its “significant successes” with recent drone strikes that targeted critical Russian military assets and naval sites.

Yurii Glodan, a fighter with the 3rd separate assault brigade, was killed in Russia’s war on Ukraine. The man joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces after his wife, three-month-old daughter and mother-in-law were killed in a Russian missile attack on a residential complex in Odesa last April. Yurii’s death was reported on November 5 on social media by volunteer Oleksandr Yakovenko and the head of the Odesa Oblast Military Association, Oleh Kiper. 

Before the full-scale invasion, Yuriy Glodan worked as a baker in a restaurant company in Odesa. On April 23, 2022, a Russian missile hit the Tiras residential complex. Eight people were killed, including Yurii’s family – his wife Valeriia, daughter Kira, and mother-in-law Lyudmyla. Last fall, the man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In April of this year, he spoke about his service and motivation to the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne:

“I am motivated by the fact that there is no other way, I, along with my comrades, stand in defense of the Motherland, its freedom and independence. For every child and family. I am motivated and inspired by real guys, full of courage, bravery, professionalism, who boldly go into battle for their home, for the family waiting at home, and for a bright future that needs to be fought for.”

On April 23, 2022, a Russian missile destroyed the Tiras residential complex in Odesa. Eight people died in the building, and 18 were injured. The tragedy claimed the lives of three-month-old Kira Glodan, her mother Valeria, and grandmother Lyudmyla, as well as a pregnant athlete and her husband. 

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