October 18, 2023

Ukrainian General Staff: 620 Russian combat casualties, raising the total to 290,050 since the invasion began

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 18.10.23 were approximately:

personnel ‒ about 290050 (+620) persons,

tanks ‒ 4981 (+2),

APV ‒ 9420 (+15),

artillery systems – 6944 (+8),

MLRS – 814 (+0),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 547 (+0),

aircraft – 319 (+1),

helicopters – 323 (+6),

UAV operational-tactical level – 5301 (+10),

cruise missiles ‒ 1534 (+1),

warships / boats ‒ 20 (+0),

submarines – 1 (+0),

vehicles and fuel tanks – 9303 (+10) од,

special equipment ‒ 982 (+0).

Data are being updated.

Strike the occupier! Let’s win together! Our strength is in the truth!

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 

Situation update as of 6 p.m., October 18, 2023

Glory to Ukraine! Day 602 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine continues.

The enemy continues to ignore the laws and customs of war, uses terror tactics, and attacks both military and civilian targets.

In the early hours of October 18, the kremlin terrorist forces launched yet another series of missile strikes on civilian targets in the cities of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and the settlement of Obukhivka (Dnipropetrovsk oblast). During the day of October 18, there was a total of 64x combat engagements. The enemy launched 11x missile and 46x air strikes, more than 30x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. A five-storey residential building, a church, more than 20x private houses and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy continues to shell Ukrainian settlements from the territory of russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. About 10x settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Popivka (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Obody, Novomykolaivka, Hrabovs’ke (Sumy oblast), Pletenivka, Zybyne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled more than 10x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka Ivanivka and Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), and around 10x more attacks near Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). The adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the enemy launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Nevs’ke, Novolyubivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defense forces also repelled 3x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs’ke, Kreminna, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Novosadove, Tors’ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled adversary attacks in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 20x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Odradivka, Kurdyumivka Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the enemy conducted unsuccessful assault operations with air support in the vicinity of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Also, the adversary launched an air strike near Kam’yanka (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Opytne, Sjeverne, Tonen’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the enemy conducted unsuccessful assault operations with air support in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defense forces repelled around 15x enemy attacks in that area. Also, the occupiers launched air strikes near Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Oleksandropil’, Heorhiivka, Mar’inka, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast), were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled enemy attacks near Novomaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast). The invaders launched air strikes near Staromaiors’ke and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled all enemy attacks east of Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Bilohir’ya Orikhiv, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, P’yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: the occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novoberyslav, Kozats’ke, Ol’hivka, Prydniprovs’ke and Pishchanivka (Kherson oblast). The settlements of Kozats’ke, Tyahynka, Blahovishchenske, Chornobaivka (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson, as well as Solonchaky (Mykolaiv oblast), came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

At the same time, the Ukrainian defense forces continue offensive operations in the Melitopol axis, offensive (assault) operations in the Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.

The russian occupiers continue to cynically violate the norms of international humanitarian law, forcibly living with civilians in their homes in order to use civilians as human shields. For example, in the settlement of Tokmak (Zaporizhzhia oblast), servicemen of the russian occupation forces are being massively resettled in multi-story buildings inhabited by local residents.

During the day of October 18, Ukrainian Air Force launched 15x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 3x air strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary. Moreover, the Ukrainian defenders shot down 1x Su-25 aircraft and 4x operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs of the russian invaders.

The missile troops hit 2x command posts, 1x Tor air defense missile system, 1x Zoopark-1M counter-battery radar system and 11x artillery systems of the occupiers.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.