Russia continues to advance, but loses a veteran pilot?

Russian forces are participating in the military operation in Ukraine.

TASS SCREENSHOT

The Kyiv Independent reported on October 21, citing information from the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agency (HUR), that Russian pilot Dmitry Golenkov was killed in the town of Suponevo in the Bryansk province of Russia on October 20.

Accordingly, the pilot sustained multiple head injuries, apparently inflicted with a hammer. HUR released photographs showing pilot Golenkov's body in an apple orchard, but did not claim responsibility for the incident.

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Pilot Golenkov was formerly the chief of staff of a Russian Air Force squadron. He was a pilot in the 52nd Heavy Bomber Regiment of the Russian Air Force, based at Shaykovka airfield, and operated Tu-22M3 bombers. Russia used these aircraft to carry out missile attacks on Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian side, this pilot participated in missile attacks on Ukrainian targets, including the Amstor shopping center in the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava province in June 2022.

A Russian Tu-22M3R bomber at Kubinka Air Base in Moscow.

Screenshot from The Kyiv Independent

According to authorities, more than 1,000 people were inside the building at the time of the attack, which killed 22 people and injured dozens. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the attack but said it hit a nearby arms depot and factory.

In addition, pilot Golenkov is also accused of participating in an attack on an apartment building in the city of Dnipro in January 2023, which killed 46 people, including 6 children.

Russia and Ukraine have consistently denied allegations targeting civilians in the conflict.

Ukraine is facing difficulties.

An analysis published in Foreign Affairs on October 21st suggested that Ukraine needs to halt Russia's advance on the front lines by addressing several tactical challenges in order to negotiate from a strong negotiating position.

"Throughout the summer, Russia managed to establish some significant advantages over Ukrainian forces, allowing them to make slow but steady progress through Ukraine's defenses," according to an article by Jack Watling, senior research fellow on land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Russia is advancing at its fastest pace in two years.

This expert believes that Russia exploited Ukraine's manpower shortages along the eastern front, thus achieving gradual gains over the past few months, including controlling the town of Ugledar and advancing into the town of Toretsk in the Donetsk region.

"Along with the capture of key towns surrounding Ukraine's stronghold of Pokrovsk, these gains show that Russia is establishing an effective formula for undermining Ukraine's ability to hold its ground," he analyzed.

According to him, Ukrainian forces are dangerously stretched along a front line of over 900 km, while recruitment and training are insufficient to compensate for losses. In addition, supplies of artillery, ammunition, tanks, and infantry fighting vehicles are dwindling.

"To end the hostilities under favorable conditions, Ukraine must first stabilize the front, gain maximum leverage against Russia, and obtain security guarantees to ensure that it can prosper and maintain security after the conflict. To achieve these goals, Kyiv must clearly align itself with its international partners," he stated.

Russian Black Sea Fleet repositioned

Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian-appointed official in Zaporizhzhia, confirmed that Russia has redeployed warships in its Black Sea Fleet following attacks by Ukrainian unmanned boats.

The information provided in the interview published in the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper on October 21st matches previous statements by Ukrainian officials.

The Pentagon is encouraging Ukraine to use domestically developed UAVs to strike Russian territory, eliminating the need for American missiles.

According to the Kyiv Independent , Ukraine's successful airstrikes forced Moscow to withdraw the majority of its naval forces from the peninsula to the city of Novorossiysk in Krasnodar, which became an important port for Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

According to Rogozin, a "military-technological revolution" took place during Russia's war against Ukraine, impacting the effectiveness of traditional weapon systems. He called Russia's Black Sea Fleet a weapon system that had undergone changes during the conflict.

"[The Black Sea Fleet] has been forced... to change its location because large Russian ships have become targets for enemy unmanned vessels," he said.

In another development, Reuters quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as calling on allies to provide support to prevent increased Russian attacks on Black Sea port infrastructure.

The US is providing aid to Ukraine.

Ukrinform quoted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as announcing that the US will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $400 million.

The Ukrainian delegation received the American delegation in Kyiv on October 21.

The information was released during Austin's surprise visit to Kyiv on October 21. The exact contents of the latest aid package are unclear, but Austin said it would include ammunition, military equipment, and weapons.

Austin's visit was intended to show support for Ukraine as the country continues to lose control of areas to Russian forces.

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The visit also took place against the backdrop of Western countries not fully supporting the country's latest plan to end the conflict, as well as at a time when the US was about to enter a presidential election.

This is Austin's third visit to Ukraine since the conflict broke out in February 2022 and comes three days after US President Joe Biden met with allied leaders in Germany to call for support for Ukraine, according to CNN.

Writing on social media platform X, Zelensky said he had discussed air defense and the topic of deep penetration into Russian territory with Austin.

"In addition, we are focusing our efforts on increasing the production of attack drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells, and air defense systems," he said.

The leader added that Secretary Austin shared with him plans to convene the next Ramstein meeting on support for Ukraine, following the postponement of the October meeting.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-971-nga-tiep-tuc-tien-len-mat-phi-cong-ky-cuu-18524102121265207.htm