Ukraine war LIVE: Heavy fighting continues for fifth day in Ukrainian city
Heavy fighting has continued as the Russians claim the Ukrainian counter offensive is "over"
Heavy fighting has continued in an eastern Ukrainian city for the fifth day. Avdiivka City head Vitalii Barabash said “the enemy has not stopped either assaulting or shelling positions” in the area.
He also claimed more Russian forces were being deployed to encircle the strategically important city in the eastern Donetsk region, situated just north of the Moscow-held regional capital, also called Donetsk.
Further north, fighting along the northern stretch of Ukraine’s eastern front has “significantly worsened” in recent days, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s land forces, wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry said air defence systems shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea near the southern resort city Sochi on Saturday morning.
This is a live blog. See below for updates.
KEY EVENTS
- Key updates today 21:39
Key updates today
Here are some of the key events that have taken place on Saturday:
Ukrainian officials have reported intense combat, characterised by relentless assaults by Russian forces, as the ongoing attack on the eastern city of Avdiivka entered its fifth consecutive day.The frontline in eastern Ukraine has "significantly worsened" according to a Ukrainian commanderThe UK has condemned North Korea for supplying military equipment to Russia Ukrainian President Zelensky says this week has "strengthened" his countryZelensky says this week has "strengthened Ukraine"
This week has strengthened Ukraine. I am grateful to all of our partners who have provided new military aid packages. Air defense, artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and other items. The world understands what Russia is planning and what terrorist attacks it is capable of carrying out. We also know how to respond to the occupier's actions. And we will respond forcefully. In an era when terror is spreading over the world, it is vital that the world sends a message that is crystal clear: protection from terror will not falter anywhere."
UK condemns North Korean arms sales to Russia
The UK Government is condemned North Korea providing Russia with equipment for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
On Friday, the US said the isolated East Asian country, which shares a land border with Russia's far east, had more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to its sanction-hit neighbour.
In a statement on Saturday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:
The UK strongly condemns Russia’s decision to source arms from North Korea for its illegal war. We urge North Korea to cease its arms supply to Russia and abide by its public commitments to not sell arms to Russia.
Russia’s sourcing of weapons from North Korea violates UN Security Council resolutions - including resolutions Russia itself voted for, and highlights Putin’s desperation and isolation on the global stage.
The transfer of money, military equipment or technology bolstering North Korea’s own illegal weapons programmes would significantly undermine the UN’s long standing commitment to security, and further destabilise the region. A better armed North Korea is not in the interests of its neighbours, the region and the world.
North Korea is subject to a robust sanctions regime, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine."
Russia claims to have shot down drones
The Russian Defence Ministry has said it shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea.
The Defence Ministry claimed the drones were destroyed near the Russian southern resort city of Sochi.
Ukraine has never acknowledged responsiblity for drone attacks on Russian territory.
Ukraine "most mined country in the world"
The British Ministry of Defence has said Ukraine is now the "most mined country in the world".
A spokesperson said: "The UK and its allies have provided equipment & training to Ukrainian soldiers to help them clear these mines."
Ukrainian navy hit two Russian ships in Black Sea
Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Plenchuk, claims the Pavel Derzhavin was attacked twice off the coast of Crimea. A second Russian ship, the tugboat Nikolay Muru was also hit during the incident on Friday, according to local media reports.
In a televised address, Mr Plenchuk described it as "Friday the 13th" for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Latest on fighting around Avdiivka
Vitaliy Barabash, the head of the Avdiivka’s military administration, has reported: "For the fifth day already, the enemy has not stopped either assaulting or shelling positions around the city.
"It is very heated, very heated."He added: "Shooting battles continue, both from the north and from the south of the city."
Ukrainian general warns situation in northeast 'significantly worsened'
The frontline in eastern Ukraine has "significantly worsened" according to a Ukrainian commander.
"Dozens" of Russian attacks have been reported.
Russian forces are reportedly attempting to seize the village of Makiivka in the direction of the city of Kupiansk.
The commander said: "The main objective of the enemy is the defeat of a grouping of our troops, the encirclement of Kupiansk and to reach the Oskil River."
Russia offensive on Avdiivka 'fails'
The US-based thinktank the Institute for the Study of War reports that Russian attempts to advance in the sector of Aviivka have been stopped.
The ISW report dated October 13 stated: "Ongoing Russian offensive operations throughout the Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast area on October 13 reportedly faced setbacks around the city. Russian sources claimed that Russian forces continued to attack areas north and south of Avdiivka, and geolocated footage published on October 12 and 13 indicates that Russian forces advanced south of Krasnohorivka (5km north of Avdiivka) and southeast of Pervomaiske (11km southwest of Avdiivka)."Russian sources also published conflicting reports about previous claims by Russian sources of Russian control of the Avdiivka Coke Plant, and ISW has not observed any evidence to confirm that Russian forces control the plant as of publication."
Russia on 'new offensive' in eastern Ukraine
The Russian military is attempting to encircle Ukrainian positions around the stronghold of Avdiivka.
The Ukrainian defences around the city have been under sustained attack from land and air.Avdiivka military administration chief Vitaliy Barabash said: "The battles have been going on for four days now. Fierce and really non-stop ... They are firing from everything they have available."
Russia official declares Ukrainian counteroffensive 'finished'
Russian UN representative Vasily Nebenzia has declared that Ukraine's month-long counter-offensive has ended with Russia now ordering its soldiers onto the attack.Nebenzia a UN Security Council meeting: "Russian troops have, for several days now, switched over to active combat action practically throughout the entire frontline,” Nebenzia told a session of the UN Security Council.
"The so-called Ukrainian counteroffensive can therefore be considered finished."
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Tim McNulty, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: [email protected]
