Victory Chronicles-DAY 972

However, the town’s security remains intact, as stated by Ivan Petrychak, spokesman for the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade. The situation has been tense over the past month, with Ukrainian troops actively countering the attackers’ advances. Petrychak noted that the enemy exploited changes in the weather to cross the channel, though their path has since been obstructed.

The 24th Brigade is now focused on containing and neutralizing the occupiers within the controlled areas. Despite continuous attempts by the occupiers to penetrate further and bombard Chasiv Yar, Petrychak confirmed that the town’s defenses are stable.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that the United States will provide Ukraine with $800 million in military aid to enhance the country’s defence capabilities. The aid will be used to finance the production of drones for Ukraine’s defence industry. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine being able to defend its sovereignty and independence in the face of political threats. This announcement followed Zelenskyy’s meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, where a $400 million military aid package was announced. The package includes HIMARS air defence systems and 155mm artillery ammunition, among other weapons and training equipment. 

Russian drone attack in Sumy, Ukraine, resulted in the death of three individuals, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack occurred during the night; the munition hit a private house, injuring a 50-year-old man and killing his 50-year-old wife, 62-year-old sister, and 14-year-old daughter. The Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, with a focus on the violation of laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder. 

The Russian occupiers, taking advantage of the prolonged rains, advanced to the Oskil River and attempted to seize the crossing to cut off the Ukrainian bridgehead on the left bank. However, the AHILLES assault battalion, together with the Bureviy Brigade Guards and paratroopers from the 77th Airmobile Brigade, successfully defended against the mechanised assault and inflicted significant losses on the enemy. In total, they managed to destroy and damage 17 units of the occupier’s armoured vehicles. This information was shared by the commander of the AHILLES battalion of the 92nd Air Assault Brigade.

Russian forces continue to systematically perpetrate war crimes, including the continued executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and use of chemical weapons. 

Ukrainian officials reported on October 21 that Russian forces executed two unarmed Ukrainian POWs near Selydove, Donetsk Oblast on October 18 by shooting them while restrained at point-blank range. ISW assessed that Russian forces have recently increased systematic executions of Ukrainian POWs in violation of the Geneva Convention on POWs, which forbids the inhumane treatment and execution of POWs. A Russian milblogger also posted footage and openly claimed on October 20 that Russian forces are using chloropicrin (a pesticide and lung damaging agent) against Ukrainian forces.

The US Department of State announced on May 1 that it had determined that Russian forces are using chloropicrin and riot control agents (RCAs) in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which Russia is a signatory. Ukrainian officials have previously reported that Russian forces are increasingly equipping grenades with chloropicrin.[20] The apparent systematic perpetration of war crimes throughout the entire theater suggests that Russian forces continue to operate at a low level of discipline, and that Russian field commanders are doing nothing to prevent their subordinates from engaging in such criminal behaviors, or may even be encouraging them. There is no evidence that Russia is holding Russian personnel accountable for the violations of the laws of war that have been reported.

Junior Sergeant Ivan Tenetnyk, with the call sign Tenet, was killed on 14 May 2024 while carrying out a combat mission near Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.

He courageously saved a fighter-in-arms but was fatally wounded by an enemy mortar attack. Ivan, originally from Kurin in the Chernihiv region, graduated from the Nizhyn Agricultural Institute in 2019. He had a strong desire for new experiences and worked hard in various business areas to earn start-up capital for his dream of farming. Prior to joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine in April 2022, he worked as a taxi driver in Kyiv. 

He served as a machine gunner in the 30th Nizhyn Rifle Battalion before being selected for the 214th Specialised OPFOR Battalion in December 2022. Ivan was known for his skills as a sniper and received several awards for his service. His comrades remember him as a reliable and motivating comrade-in-arms. Ivan’s sister recalls his perseverance and determination, while his unit commander praises his professionalism and dedication. Ivan was laid to rest in his hometown. He is survived by his parents and sister.

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

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