Ukraine is slowly reclaiming territory seized by Russia in a counter offensive, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, despite facing challenges such as Russian fortifications and minefields.
Ukrainian forces have gained control of more than half of the village of Klishchiivka, south of Bakhmut, destroying almost all Russian equipment in the sector, according to Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin; however, air strikes and electronic warfare systems remain a challenge for Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian Armed Forces advance against Russian positions near Robotyne and maintain pressure on Russian positions south of Bakhmut while Russia faces limitations due to redeployments and slow Western aid, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also denounces Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities and Moscow-organized local elections in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his forces in occupied southern Ukraine are determined to retain control of Crimea, as it is key to Russia's regional power projection and allows them to dominate the Black Sea region, project force into the Mediterranean, and supply their units in neighboring oblasts.
Ukraine military recaptures oil and gas drilling platform in the Black Sea from Moscow, marking a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Ukraine has shelled Russia's Belgorod region, launched airstrikes on occupied Crimea, and destroyed Russian air defense systems in Crimea, resulting in casualties and damage; meanwhile, Russian President Putin has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea and is expecting a visit from Belarusian President Lukashenko.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have experienced gains in certain areas while conducting offensive operations against Russian forces, inflicting significant losses on the enemy and forcing them to withdraw from their positions.
Ukraine's defense intelligence agency head, Lieutenant-General Kyrylo Budanov, asserts that despite the slow progress, Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia is ongoing, and Russia's defensive line in southern Ukraine has been breached in some places, potentially cutting off land connections to Crimea before winter; however, he acknowledges the risk of Ukraine running down its own resources and the uncertainties regarding the continuation of Western support.
The Ukrainian military successfully targeted a command post for Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, resulting in a large fire and black smoke filling the sky, despite Russian-backed authorities claiming minimal damage.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories has urged Ukrainians to leave Crimea, citing increasing violence and explosions in the region.
Ukraine conducted another attack on Sevastopol in Crimea following a strike on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, while Russian air defenses intercepted missiles headed towards the city and Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, suggested the resumption of a grain export deal was unlikely.
