Victorious news of 633rd day of war: Ukrainian forces gain foothold on Dnipro's left bank in Kherson region, Russia loses 15 ships

Ukrainian Armed Forces push back the enemy on Dnipro's left bank

Ukrainian marines managed to gain a foothold on several bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson sector. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are pushing the Russians as far away from the right bank as possible to protect Ukrainian civilians from constant Russian shelling.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted a series of successful actions on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson sector. Thanks to the courage and professionalism of the Ukrainian marines in cooperation with other units of the Defense Forces, they managed to gain a foothold in several footholds," the statement says. 

In the battles, the Russian troops lost 1,216 soldiers, and 2,217 more were wounded. Ukrainian marines destroyed 24 enemy tanks, 89 artillery systems and mortars, 135 units of various vehicles, 48 armored combat vehicles, including APCs and infantry fighting vehicles, 9 MLRS, 14 watercraft, 15 units of special equipment, 4 command posts, and 29 munitions depots, both field and stationary. In addition, a combined electronic warfare unit of the marines neutralized 135 FPV drones and 5 tactical UAVs.

"One of the main goals of this combat work is to push the Russian enemy as far as possible from the right bank to protect the civilian Ukrainian population, including Kherson, from constant Russian shelling," the statement says. 

Russia has already lost 15 ships, 12 more have been damaged

The Russian fleet has already suffered "serious losses" - in particular, 15 ships were destroyed, said Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy.

"We can count the one that is already out of action. These are 15 destroyed and 12 damaged enemy ships. Of course, not all of this is the result of our drones, but they have also caused quite a lot of damage to enemy ships. Therefore, we are actually the drivers of this new type of naval warfare, and everyone recognizes this. In this sense, Ukraine is showing a new level of application of unmanned systems. We have a separate brigade of such drones that use both surface and underwater drones. And not only for reconnaissance and mine clearance, but also for strikes," Pletenchuk said.

According to him, the capabilities of the Russian forces in the Black Sea have recently "significantly decreased" due to the work of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The Russian military is forced to "stay as far away as possible and is significantly limited in its actions."

"We can even say that they are now on the defensive. However, the danger remains. Unfortunately, the enemy still has cruise missile carriers," added Pletenchuk. The spokesperson assured that “the movement of Ukrainian forces towards weakening the Russian fleet will continue.”

Partisans in the Black Sea Fleet's base and in occupied Horlivka

A Ukrainian partisan infiltrated a military unit of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

An agent of the partisan movement successfully worked and entered the territory of the military unit in the temporarily occupied Feodosia.

"While the duty shift was sleeping at the wrong time, we managed to report the exact locations of the vehicles, warehouses with ammunition, barracks, and headquarters of the 80393 military unit. The information has already been passed on to the competent authorities, who are "demilitarizing" the military unit," Atesh movement writes.

In addition, the Atesh resistance movement reported the establishment of a guerrilla cell in the temporarily occupied Horlivka. The guerrillas started their intelligence activities in a local cafe.

"This local cafe is often the breadwinner for the Russian military. Perhaps it will soon become the last place for the Russian occupiers to eat. Either because of going to storm Avdiivka, or because of a banal mass poisoning. Because more and more often the invaders are using the rampage for fun against the local population who refuse to help the Russian army. Our agents are launching subversive activities only to help the Ukrainian Defense Forces!" Atesh writes.

More than USD 2 billion for Ukraine from the Netherlands

The Netherlands will allocate an additional USD 2.2 billion for military aid to Ukraine. On November 17, the Dutch government decided to send an additional USD 2.2 billion next year for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that this is evidence of the Netherlands' unwavering support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

These funds are part of a larger aid package that Ukraine will receive from the Netherlands next year. It already includes EUR 102 million for reconstruction and humanitarian aid. The amount of aid for these needs may be increased if necessary.

The aid package will be formed based on Ukraine's requests. Priority will be given to support for air defense, ammunition, and the air force. According to Ollongren, the new aid package will bring the total amount of Dutch support to about EUR 7.5 billion.

Military aid package from Finland

Finland hands over the 20th military aid package to Ukraine worth EUR 100 million, but does not disclose its contents.

Finland will send more military equipment to help Ukraine. The country's president approved this issue on November 17, 2023, at the government’s request. 

“What is at stake in Ukraine's defense struggle is the security environment outlook on Europe and Finland in the current decade. Together with our allies, we remain unwavering in our commitment to support Ukrainians,” says Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen.

This is the 20th package of defense equipment for Ukraine. The cost of replacing the defense equipment contained in this package is estimated by Finland at EUR 100 million. The agency explained that for operational reasons, as well as to ensure the safe arrival of the aid at its destination, no further details on the contents of the package, the method of delivery or the schedule are provided.