War Ukraine and Russia, Russia claims vital triumph in east

Russian forces have advanced near the heart of Vuhledar, located in eastern Ukraine, according to Vadym Filashkin, the regional governor. In a televised interview, Filashkin described the situation as “extremely difficult.” The War between Ukraine and Russia in the east has led to this critical juncture. Ukraine’s national broadcaster, Suspilne, spoke to two members of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade defending the city, who mentioned that although Russian troops control most of the town, some areas remain under Ukrainian control. The soldiers noted that they had not been ordered to withdraw from Vuhledar.

Vuhledar holds significant strategic value, being near the junction of two major fronts—eastern and southern Ukraine. The popular war blog DeepState reported that Russian forces now occupy the town and have raised flags across the area. Videos circulating online show Russian soldiers waving flags atop bombed-out multi-story buildings and setting up another flag on a metal tower. Reuters confirmed the authenticity of the footage by comparing it to street patterns in Vuhledar.

Meanwhile, in Russia, the government’s decision to increase defense spending has sparked mixed reactions. An 80-year-old retiree named Irina expressed shock, telling Agence France-Presse in Moscow that the war should end, and it is wrong to prioritize military spending over social welfare. Russia plans to allocate over 40% of its budget to defense and security, outstripping the funds for social programs and education combined.

The Many Russian citizens

Many Russian citizens are feeling the strain, with a 70-year-old woman named Irina lamenting her pension of only 25,000 rubles (around US$260) a month, calling it “pennies” and criticizing the lack of resources for healthcare and education. Another pensioner, Elena, aged 68, voiced her opposition to military action in general, criticizing the government’s spending priorities during a time when many Russians are struggling.

However, some in Moscow support the defense budget increase. A 49-year-old lawyer, Vladimir, remarked that as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of critical sectors like education and healthcare, additional defense funding is justified in the current climate. Another resident, also named Vladimir, emphasized the need for defense spending due to the perceived threat from NATO, stating, “We have to do something, and we can’t do it any other way.”

On the eastern front, Ukraine’s authorities are investigating an incident involving the execution of 16 Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered. Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, said the alleged war crime occurred on the Pokrovsk front and was captured on video.

In another development, a Russian artillery strike hit a market in Kherson, southern Ukraine, killing at least six people and injuring three others. The attack occurred as Ukrainians observed a moment of silence for their military and fallen comrades. Across the country, people paused at 9 a.m. to honor those defending Ukraine and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

About The Ukrainian in Kyiv City

In Kyiv, residents gathered at Independence Square, holding photos of fallen soldiers. Angelina Stashenko carried a photo of her brother, Denys, who was killed in May during the fighting in Donetsk. Her mother, Halyna, expressed hope that future generations will remember the price paid for freedom. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the occasion by calling for more support from Western allies, stressing that Russia’s daily attacks on Ukrainian life must be stopped.

Zelenskyy also highlighted Ukraine’s growing defense capabilities, announcing that the country’s defense industry had produced more artillery and mortar ammunition in the first half of 2024 than in all of 2022. Addressing a defense conference in Kyiv attended by nearly 300 weapons companies, both domestic and foreign, Zelenskyy praised Ukraine’s ability to scale up production despite ongoing Russian attacks. He noted that Ukraine now has the capacity to produce 4 million drones annually.

In addition to relying on international military aid, Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmygal, reported that half of the ammunition used at the front is now domestically produced. Ukraine is also manufacturing Neptune anti-ship missiles, which have been successfully deployed against Russian vessels in the Black Sea. In August, Zelenskyy announced the successful test of the first Ukrainian-made long-range missile.

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