Victorious news of 565th day of war: more Russian soldiers want to surrender, Ukraine controls ‘Boyko Towers’ again 

Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated part of Opytne village near Avdiivka

On Monday, September 11, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed the recapture of part of Opytne near Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Over the week, the Ukrainian Armed Forces de-occupied another 2 square kilometers in the Bakhmut direction

She made the statement in a live interview with Military Media Center.

"There was advancement made near Opytne, the Ukrainian Defense Forces recaptured a part of this settlement," said Maliar.

According to the deputy minister, Ukrainian troops also had a partial success in the area of Novomayorske, Donetsk region, over the week. 

Thus, Ukrainian defenders are now consolidating their positions in the areas where they have been successful.

Ukraine wins 6 medals on the first day of the Invictus Games 2023

On September 10, Ukraine's national team clinched an impressive haul of 6 medals at the Invictus Games. 

Espreso reports this.

Oleksandr Makovey secured a gold medal for Ukraine in the shot put in the IF8 category, competing in Dusseldorf, Germany. Ukrainian track and field athletes also excelled, with Volodymyr Hera earning a silver medal in the shot put (IF7) and Mykola Zaritskyi claiming silver in the discus throw (IF1). Additionally, Maksym Zubov became the vice-champion in powerlifting (IP6) at the Invictus Games.

The first day of competition also saw Vadim Maznichenko winning a bronze medal for Ukraine in the shot put (IF6), and Volodymyr Tovkis securing bronze in the discus throw (IF2).

Ukraine will receive 40 more German-made Marder IFVs

On Monday, September 11, Rheinmetall, the German company, announced that it has been instructed by the German Government to deliver 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. 

This announcement was made in a statement on the company's website.

The German order, valued at tens of millions of euros, was initially placed in August 2023.

“Rheinmetall is diligently working on the existing vehicles to ensure that the new batch of Marder vehicles can be delivered as per the contract, commencing in 2023,” the statement reads.

This order will bring the total number of Marder vehicles supplied by Rheinmetall to Ukraine to 80.

The number of Russian deserters increased by 70%

The Russian military is increasingly willing to defect to Ukraine after pilot Maxim Kuzminov escaped in a Mi-8 helicopter. The number of Russian deserters has increased by 70%

This was reported by the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Andriy Yusov, on Radio Liberty.

"There is a jump in the I Want to Live line separately and through other communication channels after the Synytsia (Titmouse) successful operation with the Mi-8 and the pilot. For example, the number of Russian army servicemen who are considering a similar scenario has increased," the intelligence officer said.

It is reported that applications to the state project I Want to Live from Russians and their relatives increased by 70% per day.

Yusov also confirmed the information about the remuneration of the pilot Maxim Kuzminov, but did not name the exact amount.

"This information is more of a legend and a people's initiative. But, of course, there will be a reward for the MiG," the intelligence representative added.

Ukraine regains control of ‘Boyko Towers’, which had been occupied since 2015 by Russia

Near the coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea in the Black Sea, Ukrainian defenders have taken control of the oil and gas drilling platforms, which have been seized since 2015

This was reported by the Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

"A unique operation to establish control over the 'Boyko Towers' was carried out by the forces of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, in particular, the Petro Hodovanets and Ukraine drilling platforms, as well as the Tavrida and Syvash drilling platforms, were returned to control," the statement said.

During the operation, Ukrainian special forces on speedboats encountered a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. After an exchange of fire, the Russian aircraft was damaged and forced to turn away.

It is reported that during the special operation, the fighters managed to seize a stockpile of helicopter munitions - unguided aircraft missiles, as well as the Neva radar station, which tracks the movement of ships in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian aviation launched 7 strikes against the Russian forces

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this. 

During the day, Ukrainian aviation launched 7 strikes on the invading Russian troops' military positions. 

Missile troops destroyed 5 enemy artillery pieces.