Victory Chronicles-DAY 600

Ukrainian defenders have repelled over 50 Russian attacks on the Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, Shakhtarsk, and Zaporizhzhia fronts over the past 24 hours.

“About 70 combat engagements occurred over the past 24 hours. Furthermore, the Russian Federation launched another missile and air strike on Ukraine, using Kh-59 guided missiles, Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. Information on the aftermath of this terrorist attack is currently being investigated,” reported the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Russians launched air strikes against 30 settlements and deployed artillery to attack 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts.

Ukrainian sappers, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko have uncovered more than 707,000 explosives. “Our technical experts are supported by modern equipment and specialized tools that detect and destroy explosive objects remotely,” Klymenko said.

Over 152,000 hectares of ground have been closely examined already. Ukraine today is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. On Oct. 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that mines and other unexploded ordnance have rendered nearly a third of Ukraine’s territory unsafe.

Estimates suggest 250 people have been killed by mines and other explosive objects left in Ukraine, while more than 500 have been injured. The presence of unexploded ordnance could threaten another 6 people.

Russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia Oblast almost 140 times in 23 different places, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yurii Malashko reported. Various weapons systems were used, including artillery, missiles, drones, and air strikes. As a result of shelling in the village of Mala Tokmachka, a 76-year-old woman was injured. Many buildings were also damaged in the attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On October 10, 2023, the Russians launched an offensive on Avdiivka from several directions at once. The goal is simple: to surround and capture the city. There have been no such attacks since the beginning of the full-scale war. The 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade has been successfully repelling all Russian attacks, despite their superiority in equipment and manpower.

Russian forces continued offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka on October 15 but have yet to make further gains amid a likely decreasing tempo of Russian operations in the area. 

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled more than 15 Russian assaults near Avdiivka, as well as northwest and southwest of the settlement. ISW has not yet observed visual confirmation of previous claims of Russian advances in the area or geolocated footage of any other Russian gains. Russian sources claimed notably fewer Russian advances in the area on October 15 compared to previous days and described these new alleged advances as marginal. A Russian milblogger acknowledged that Ukrainian forces still maintain a presence at the Avdiivka Coke Plant following conflicting Russian claims about Russian control of the plant.

Both Ukrainian military observers and Russian sources stated that Russian forces did not achieve their desired immediate breakthrough, and Russian forces faced initial high losses and a likely slower than anticipated rate of advance. Avdiivka City Military Administration Head Vitaliy Barabash stated on October 12 that Russian forces conducted assaults with air support in 10 to 12 directions around the settlement, whereas the Ukrainian General Staff reported on October 15 that fighting occurred near only six settlements. Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun stated on October 14 that the pace of Russian offensive operations near Avdiivka declined and that Russian forces have lost more than 300 pieces of military equipment and 3000 personnel since intensifying offensive operations in the area on October 9.

Junior Sergeant Andrii Kuznetsov, with the call sign Kuzia, died on the territory of the Serebrianka forestry near the city of Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast, on August 25, 2023. While performing a combat mission, he received a fatal explosive injury. On October 15, the defender would have turned 31 years old.

Andrii was born in the city of Krasnyi Luch, Luhansk Oblast. He studied at the Luhansk Higher Vocational School of Car Service. After completing his military service, he served in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for some time. In 2016, he joined the Armed Forces to defend his home. He was a participant in the ATO. Two years later, he returned to civilian life.

When the full-scale invasion of the Russian occupiers began, the man returned to the army again, as he wanted to protect his loved ones from the war. At first, he fought in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In May 2023, he transferred to the National Guard of Ukraine. Later, he served in the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov”. He held the position of mortar commander.

“He gave his life for the freedom of Ukraine. His war began back in 2014 in Luhansk Oblast, when they came to destroy his house, but he knew he had to defend his homeland, and eventually joined the Armed Forces. He defended Avdiivka, went through such hell… and then met me. We had a long-awaited daughter, and the war came to our home… He went again, but now not only to defend his land, but also us – the most valuable thing in his life. By his own desire, he transferred to Azov. I went through such a difficult training path to get there, and finally this well-deserved Azov armband. Then Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast – a little more time and he would have been in his native land of childhood. These year and a half were very difficult for all of us and, unfortunately, his war is over. My daughter and I miss him very much. This pain is simply impossible to describe in words. I know that Ukraine will win! He did everything he could for this! We are proud of him! Glory to the Hero!” said Anna, the wife of the fallen defender.

The Hero was buried at the Smolianske military cemetery in Zhytomyr, where he lived with his family. He is survived by his wife and daughter, who was only 2 years old at the time of his father’s death.

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