Victory Chronicles-DAY 976

According to the Pentagon, about 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia for training and potential combat operations against Ukraine in the coming weeks. It is believed that some of these soldiers are heading to the Kursk region, where Russia is trying to repel the Ukrainian invasion. The addition of North Korean soldiers to Russia’s war on Ukraine will put additional pressure on the already overstretched Ukrainian military and is expected to increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking support from countries such as Iran and North Korea. 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korean military units in the Kursk region, calling it a significant escalation and a dangerous expansion of the war. US President Joe Biden also expressed concern over the deployment of troops. The US and South Korean defense ministers are expected to discuss the deployment later this week.

According to the National Police of Ukraine, since the beginning of the full-scale war, they have recorded more than 133,000 war crimes committed by the Russian occupiers. The collected information is transferred to the relevant structures to prepare for international courts. It is emphasized that proper documentation of war crimes is crucial for their accurate presentation in international courts. 

Kharkiv in Ukraine was the target of an air strike carried out by Russian forces. The attack occurred in the central part of the city, resulting in significant damage to an administrative building. The second and third floors of the building were partially destroyed, and nearby residential buildings, a hospital, and educational institutions were also affected. Preliminary reports indicate that five people were injured as a result of the attack. Emergency services units were present at the scene to assess and inspect the extent of the damage. 

In a recent operation, the Ukrainian National Guard destroyed several enemy vehicles and equipment along the front line. This included two armored personnel carriers, three infantry fighting vehicles, twelve motor vehicles, ten artillery systems, one electronic warfare system, and two BC warehouses. Additionally, a video was released showing fighters from the 11th Hrushevsky Brigade effectively taking down enemy reconnaissance drones in the Donetsk region. 

Ukrainian forces conducted another series of drone strikes against Russian distilleries on the night of October 27 to 28, reportedly to reduce Russian aviation capabilities. Voronezh Oblast Governor Aleksander Gusev claimed that falling drone debris damaged two unspecified industrial enterprises in Anninsky and Novokhopersky raions. Geolocated footage shows a fire in Krasnoye, Novokhopersky Raion.

Russian opposition outlet Astra reported that Ukrainian drones struck the Ethanol Spirit distillery in Krasnoye. Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation Head Andriy Kovalenko posted footage of a drone strike against a distillery in Krasnoye and noted that Russian distilleries produce rocket fuel and fuel for aviation brake systems, technical needs, and anti-icing agents.

Kovalenko stated that Ukrainian strikes against Russian distilleries are meant to reduce Russian aviation capabilities. Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone strikes on the night of October 21 to 22 targeting distilleries in Tula Oblast.

Fighter Ihor Hnatiuk, with the call sign ‘Viking’, died on 19 June 2024 during a combat mission near the village of Synkivka, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region. The fighter was 26 years old.

Ihor was originally from Ternopil. He studied to become an electric welder at a higher vocational technology and design school. After graduation, he worked for some time but was called up for military service. He was very fond of music, fishing, and football. He was fond of collecting and making handmade knives. He was especially fond of restoring old knives from the Second World War. After the victory, he planned to open his workshop.

In the first days of the full-scale war, Ihor voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At first, he was assigned to the Ternopil Zonal Department of the Military Law Enforcement Service. He performed tasks in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Later, he was transferred to the 116th Separate Mechanised Brigade. There, he served as an anti-aircraft gunner of an anti-aircraft missile platoon. He fought in the Kupyansk direction.

He got his call sign because he was fascinated with Viking history. He loved films on this topic and music with Scandinavian motifs. He grew a beard. Ihor’s commander came up with the call sign himself in a month, unaware of his preferences. He said that Ihor looked like a Viking warrior.

‘Ihor was a very bright, sincere, and kind man. A reliable friend who never said no and supported everyone. The best son for his mum and the whole world for me. My love, my life! Our whole life was ahead of us: family, children (he always wanted a son). We were supposed to get married on holiday finally. But we didn’t have time… When the full-scale war started, he came to the military recruitment office in the first days. According to his commander, he was one of the best people he had ever worked with. He always supported his fighters. He said they were his brothers. Ihor did not complain but always said that it was his duty, that everything would be fine, and he just had to wait a little longer. He went through this journey himself and left with his head held high. He was very fond of animals. We even had a cat who adored him. He loved to sing songs with his guitar and his friends. He loved this world and life. He gave the most precious thing he had for all of us,’ said his fiancée Snizhana.

The warrior was buried in the Alley of Heroes at Mykulynets Cemetery in Ternopil.  Ihor is survived by his mother, sister, grandmother, and fiancée. 

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

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