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Can experienced NATO pilots solve Ukraine’s F-16 dilemma?. Ukraine’s demand to allow Western pilots to fly its long-awaited F-16 fighter jets is gaining ground, but political concerns about “Russian escalation” remain, and some experts stress that efforts would still be best invested in domestic pilots.

Military

Zelenskyy says the goal of the Kursk operation is a buffer zone on Russian territoryPresident Zelensky says the aim of the attack on Kursk is to create a buffer zone on Russian territory. He stresses the urgent need for timely military assistance from allies, and appeals in particular to the US, Britain and France to achieve faster deliveries of supplies.

Ukrainian paratroopers repel two of the most massive Russian attacks in July 2024Despite repeated attempts, the Russian forces suffered heavy losses.

Expert: Operation Kursk shifts main fighting to Russian soilThe attack on Kursk poses major problems for Russia, challenges its “red lines” and could lead to the lifting of Western restrictions on the use of weapons deep inside Russia.

Front report: City of Sudzha was taken, the city of Glushkovo is next. Today there were significant developments from the Kursk direction. Ukrainian forces managed to consolidate control over the city of Sudzha and turn it into an important logistical hub for further operations in the southern Kursk region.

Russian forces reduce attacks and concentrate on fortifications in Kharkiv OblastDespite the reduction in attacks, the situation remains tense as the enemy continues to try to break through the Ukrainian defenses.

Belarus moves significant military forces to the Ukrainian border, citing security concernsBelarusian President Lukashenko has deployed almost a third of his army to the Ukrainian border, citing the presence of over 120,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the region.

Drone debris causes fire in fuel depot in Russia’s Rostov OblastRussian authorities report a series of drone attacks on southern regions. One incident caused a fire at a fuel depot in Rostov Oblast.

Ukrainian Air Force confirms attack on bridge in Russia’s Kursk OblastUkrainian forces have damaged a key supply bridge in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, further complicating Russian military logistics in the oblast.

ISW: Ukrainian military maneuver in Kursk Oblast to compensate for Russian leadThe Institute for the Study of War argues that the scale of Russia’s war in Ukraine makes it impossible for either side to achieve their strategic war aims in a single campaign.

Ukraine shoots down five Russian missiles and eight drones overnight. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 13 of 16 Russian air attack assets overnight, including ballistic and cruise missiles as well as Shahed drones.

Drone targets oil depot in Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnightRussian air defenses intercepted a drone over Proletarsk, but falling debris ignited a fire at an industrial fuel storage facility.

Intelligence and technology

Russia is struggling to maintain its ageing Tu-22M3 bomber fleet in the face of lossesRussia’s fleet of Tu-22M3 strategic bombers is shrinking due to the cessation of production since 1993, recent losses in Ukraine, accidents and modernization difficulties.

Ukraine receives first delivery of Japanese mine clearance equipment, more to followJapan supplied Ukraine with six mechanical mine clearing machines, part of a larger donation of 22 machines. The Nikken BM307-V16 models, based on Hitachi ZX160 excavators, can clear 400-800 ㎡ per hour. Ukrainian specialists are being trained in Cambodia to operate these machines.

International

The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany calls on the government not to limit its support for KyivOleksiy Makeev warns that the costs would escalate if Ukraine loses its war against Russia.

Ukraine describes reports on cessation of German military aid as manipulationA spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Germany’s decision to stop military aid to Ukraine was manipulation, as the actual amount of support for Ukraine next year will only be determined after the German budget is approved in November.

Political and legal developments

Ukrainian digital bank fends off massive DDoS attack for third dayMonobank co-founder Oleh Horokhovskyi spoke of an ongoing DDoS attack of unprecedented proportions, with over 5.5 billion requests received so far.

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