Victory Chronicles-DAY 953

Romania has transferred the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine, as confirmed by the Romanian Defense Ministry. Romanian authorities approved the decision to transfer the system last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to all countries assisting in the provision of air defense systems on Twitter, specifically thanking Romania for the Patriot system. This transfer is part of Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its air defense capabilities, with seven air defense systems promised by its NATO allies. 

Switzerland has pledged to provide Ukraine with approximately $1.7 billion for reconstruction projects over the next four years. The funds will be allocated to sectors such as self-government, demining, and humanitarian aid, with 1 billion designated for these purposes. The remaining amount will be used for recovery programs involving the Swiss private sector. 

During a nighttime air strike conducted by Russia on Kharkiv, 51 buildings were damaged, Kharkiv City Council has reported. A total of 760 windows were broken in the affected buildings. Public utility specialists have already repaired 120 leaks caused by the strike. The city council has stated that utility companies are working to restore order in the Saltiv district. The inspection of damaged buildings is ongoing, and repairs are being made to the damaged infrastructure.

Last night, drones from the Defense Forces carried out an attack on warehouses and parking lots of aircraft at the Borisoglebsk military airfield in Russia. The attack targeted CABs, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as SU-35 and SU-34 aircraft. Aviation fuel storage facilities were also targeted. The source, an insider from the SBU, revealed that the attack was carried out by drones belonging to the SBU, Special Forces, and other defense forces. The Borisoglebsk military airfield, located in the Voronezh region of Russia, has been identified as the base from where the enemy has been launching airstrikes on Ukrainian territories using KABs. The attack on the Russian military installations aims to disrupt their operations and prevent further bombings on Ukrainian territories.

Ukraine continues efforts to expand domestic production of significant military equipment and maintain its drone advantage over Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on October 1 that Ukrainian companies can currently produce four million drones annually and that Ukraine has already contracted the domestic production of 1.5 million drones (presumably in 2024).

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently claimed that Russia plans to increase drone production by tenfold to 1.4 million drones in 2024, which will be lower than the two million drones that Ukraine aims to produce in 2024.

Zelensky also stated that Ukraine can produce 15 “Bohdan” self-propelled artillery systems every month and recently conducted a successful flight test for an unspecified domestically produced ballistic missile.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated on October 2 that Ukraine will continue prioritizing domestic production of drones and long-range missiles, including ballistic missiles. 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated on October 2 that Ukraine has allocated $7 billion for the purchase of weapons and military equipment in the Ukrainian draft 2025 state budget — a 65 percent increase from the 2024 state budget. Shmyhal stated that Ukraine increased domestic weapons production by a factor of three in 2023 and by factor of two in the first eight months of 2024.

ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian efforts to expand domestic military production will allow Ukraine to reduce its dependence on Western military assistance in the long-term, but that Ukraine still requires considerable Western assistance for the next several years in order to defend against Russian aggression and liberate strategically vital areas that Russian forces currently occupy.

Captain Mykhailo Zharkov, with the call sign Mishania, died on January 22, 2024, on the territory of Serebrianka forestry near the village of Dibrova, Luhansk region. When the enemy shelling began, he was driving in a car with his brothers-in-arms. The officer was fatally wounded. In December, he turned 29 years old. 

Mykhailo was originally from the city of Luhansk. He graduated from Kharkiv National Air Force University named after Ivan Kozhedub and Kharkiv National Automobile and Road University. In 2024, he was to complete his studies at Odesa State University of Internal Affairs. 

In 2017, he joined the Separate Operational Detachment of the Azov National Guard. At the beginning of his military career, he served at the headquarters, but he voluntarily joined the infantry.

Mykhailo saw the full-scale invasion in Mariupol. He participated in the battles in the city center. On May 20, 2022, by order of the command, he was taken prisoner from the territory of the Azovstal plant. Mykhailo was returned home during an exchange on September 21, 2022. After treatment and psychological rehabilitation, the defender returned to serve in his native Azov. He was the deputy commander of the 3rd Special Forces Company (on armored personnel carriers) for work with the personnel of the 1st Battalion. His leadership skills distinguished him. He fought in the Zaporizhzhia direction, then in the Luhansk region.

For his service, Mykhailo received several awards, including the Silver Cross, the Order for Courage, III and II degrees, the latter of which was awarded posthumously. He was also posthumously promoted to the rank of major.

“He was a man with a capital M, a true warrior, always taking care of his men and family, and knew his job. He was a reliable comrade-in-arms, a friend and a person you could rely on. The best son, father and husband. He always supported and gave advice. He never hesitated to go on a mission, was fair, brave and kind. He was very purposeful with great willpower. He gave 150% to his work. He always planned for the future,” said Anna, the wife of the deceased.

The warrior was buried in Kryvyi Rih on the Alley of Glory at the Central Cemetery. Posthumously, Mykhailo was awarded the medal “For Merit to the City” of the III degree. The fighter is survived by his mother, wife, two daughters, and close relatives.

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

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