1,000 Days of War: Ukraine Battles Drones and Missiles

Russian forces launched widespread attacks on southern and eastern Ukraine on Monday, November 11, 2024, deploying glide bombs, drones, and a ballistic missile. These assaults left at least six civilians dead and injured about 30 others, according to local officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the increase in attacks, stating on Telegram that Russia has escalated its targeting of civilian areas in an effort to unnerve Ukrainians as the conflict nears its 1,000-day mark, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

Specific Strikes and Casualties

• Mykolaiv: Russian drones struck the southern city of Mykolaiv, killing five civilians and injuring a 45-year-old woman. According to local authorities, the attack caused substantial damage to residential buildings and commercial establishments. Around two dozen civilians sought psychological help in the aftermath of the assault. Mykolaiv, which lies about 60 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the Kherson front line, has frequently been targeted by Russian forces. (AP, Reuters)
• Zaporizhzhia: In an overnight assault, three powerful glide bombs struck the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and injuring 21, including a 4-year-old child. The blasts partially destroyed a two-story apartment building and damaged a nearby dormitory, according to Ukraine’s National Police. (AP, Reuters)
• Kryvyi Rih: In President Zelenskyy's hometown, a Russian ballistic missile hit a five-story apartment building, injuring at least eight people and destroying all five stories in one section of the structure. Oleksandr Vikul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Military Administration, confirmed the casualties and extensive damage. (AP, Reuters)

Ukrainian Countermeasures and Military Developments

In response to the recent escalation, President Zelenskyy announced plans to expand mobile anti-drone units in regions most frequently hit by Russian attacks, with the goal of intercepting and destroying drones before they reach civilian areas. Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine is advancing its domestic missile program to develop its own glide bombs. As reported by AP, Russian glide bombs have significantly impacted the battlefield by demolishing Ukrainian fortifications and increasing the challenges for defenders in maintaining positions.

Strategic and Territorial Shifts

• Eastern Front – Donetsk: Ukrainian forces are facing increasing pressure in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia has steadily advanced by leveraging its military resources. President Zelenskyy indicated plans for a “substantial reinforcement” of Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk to mitigate the risk of an overrun by Russian troops. (AP, Reuters)
• Kursk Region: Ukraine is holding defensive positions along the border with Russia's Kursk region, where Russia has deployed an estimated 50,000 troops, including a significant contingent of North Korean soldiers, according to Ukrainian and Western sources. (AP, Financial Times)
• Infrastructure Concerns – Kurakhove Reservoir: In Donetsk, near the newly captured settlement of Hirnyk, Russian forces damaged a dam at the Kurakhove reservoir, raising the Vovcha River’s water level by 1.2 meters. While residential areas have not been affected, regional governor Vadym Filashkin stated that authorities are monitoring the situation closely due to potential flooding risks in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk. Filashkin noted that the incident revived memories of the Kakhovka dam collapse in June 2023, which killed hundreds of civilians, a disaster that AP’s investigation attributed to Russian actions.

International Context and Implications

Both Ukraine and Russia are closely observing potential shifts in U.S. policy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January. The United States has been the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, but Trump has previously criticized the Biden administration's level of financial support to Kyiv, leading to uncertainty over future American involvement. (AP, News.com.au)

Other Notable Incidents

• Cross-Border Operations: Ukraine’s intelligence agency claimed responsibility for the destruction of a Russian Mi-24 helicopter stationed at Klin-5 airfield in the Moscow region. This claim has not been independently verified.
• Russian Drone Interceptions: Russia's Ministry of Defense reported that it intercepted 17 Ukrainian drones over the Kursk, Belgorod, and Voronezh regions on Monday. (AP)

These developments underline the continuing escalation of the conflict and the complexities surrounding military engagements and international alliances as the Russia-Ukraine war persists.