Russia thwarts Ukrainian attacks, claims Russian Defence Ministry
Moscow announced on Wednesday that it had successfully repelled a series of land and drone attacks by Ukraine. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, 31 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in regions bordering Ukraine, while an attempted landing by Ukrainian forces on Crimea was also thwarted. The ministry did not provide any details about potential casualties or damage resulting from the attacks.
Since the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive in June, Russia has accused Kyiv of daily attacks on Russian territory using drones, missiles, and artillery. This recent escalation of hostilities further strains the already tense relationship between the two nations.
The attempted landing on Crimea involved soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces onboard a “fast military boat and three jet skis” heading towards Cape Tarkhankout in the northwest of the Black Sea peninsula. Moscow has previously alleged that Ukrainian military boats sailing towards Crimea were destroyed this summer.
Russia denies plans for new mobilization
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that there are no plans for a new mobilization in the Russian army. According to Shoigu, hundreds of thousands of people have already signed up this year, with over 335,000 joining the military under “volunteer formations” and 50,000 signing contracts in September alone. These figures indicate Russia’s efforts to strengthen its armed forces amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Last year, President Vladimir Putin ordered a “partial mobilization” of 300,000 troops, which sparked widespread protests and an exodus of Russians unwilling to fight. Putin and other Russian officials have asserted that there will not be another mobilization, as it fueled anti-war sentiment and led to a significant number of conscripts leaving the country.
West faces ammunition shortage in support of Ukraine
Western allies of Ukraine, primarily NATO, are running out of ammunition, potentially impacting Kyiv’s war effort against Russia. Adm Rob Bauer, the most senior military official of the US-led alliance, expressed concerns over depleting ammunition stocks, stating that “the bottom of the barrel is now visible.” He called for increased production of ammunition to meet the demand.
A lack of spending in NATO countries, both before and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is cited as the main cause of the ammunition shortage. UK Defence Minister James Heappey urged NATO members to fulfill their commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defense, emphasizing that during a war in Europe, now is the time to prioritize defense spending. In comparison, experts highlight Russia’s ability to ramp up production to replenish its military stocks.
In July, a deal was struck to accelerate the production of munitions and missiles in Europe to deliver to Ukraine, aiming to address the growing ammunition shortage faced by Ukraine in its fight against Russia.