Hello, this is Kateryna Hodunova reporting from Kyiv on day 1,374 of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today’s top story:
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces took out $60 million worth of Russian air defense systems over the course of three days, it claimed in a social media post on Nov. 28.
“The Buk-M1, Buk-M2, and Tor-M2 air defense systems were hit. The total cost of these weapons is estimated at $60 million,” it said.
“These complexes are key elements of the enemy’s air defense system at the operational-tactical and operational depth. Their destruction significantly weakens the cover of important areas and strategic objects”
Russian offensive near Zaporizhzhia Oblast’s Huliaipole repelled as troops spotted on city outskirts
Ukrainian forces, including the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment, repelled a Russian offensive near Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, regaining control of the area, the Southern Defense Forces said Nov. 28.
At the same time, three military sources told Ukrainian outlet Hromadske that Russian troops had been spotted on the outskirts of Huliaipole, and that the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade had already engaged in gunfights with Russian forces within the town.
Ukrainian forces repelled 20 Russian assaults over the past day in this sector of the front line near the settlements of Zatyshshia, Solodke, Chervone, as well as in the directions of Dobropillia, Priluky, Varvarivka, and Huliaipole.
The Southern Defense Forces said on Nov. 26 the situation in the Huliaipole sector of Zaporizhzhia Oblast remains difficult, but Ukrainian troops are not surrounded.
Footage reportedly shows Ukrainian forces repelling a Russian attack near the city of Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. (Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces / Telegram)Ukraine names Russian personnel accused of strike on Sumy that killed 6, injured over 30
Last updated 5:21 p.m. Kyiv time.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) charged on Nov. 28 four Russian soldiers in absentia for the June 2025 attack against the city center of Sumy, according to an official statement.
The June 3 attack, carried out with BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems, killed six people and injured over 30, including three childre.
The strike was planned by Vladimir Shchipitsyn, commander of the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the Leningrad Military District, according to the agency. Shchipitsyn allegedly oversaw the use of rocket artillery in the operation.
Shchipitsyn’s subordinates — the regiment’s chief of staff and first deputy commander, Lieutenant Colonel Vitaly Orlov, and its chief of artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Damir Garnayev — were also involved in preparing and executing the attack, SBU said.
The order to strike Sumy was issued directly by Captain Dmitry Volobuev, commander of the regiment’s rocket artillery battery.
Death toll from Russian Nov. 19 strike on Ternopil rises to 35 following DNA identification
Last updated 4:20 p.m. Kyiv time.
The death toll from the Russian attack on Ternopil on Nov. 19 has risen to 35 following DNA testing, the National Police reported on Nov. 28.
The newly identified victim is a 73-year-old man who lived on the street hit by Russian missiles, according to the report.
Five people remain missing, including one child.
The strike injured about 94 people, among them 18 children. Of the 35 killed, six were children.
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Russian troops execute captured Ukrainian soldier after beating him with riffle
Last updated 3:20 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russian soldiers killed a Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW) after beating him with an assault rifle, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported on Nov. 28.
Russian troops captured a Ukrainian servicemember during an assault on positions near the village of Hnativka in the Pokrovsk district earlier in November 2025, according to prosecutors.
One Russian soldier reportedly tied the prisoner’s hands while another struck him several times in the head with an automatic weapon. When the captive stopped responding, the soldiers shot him.
The intentional killing of a prisoner of war is a breach of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a serious war crime.
The regional prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the killing and identify those responsible.
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Ukraine strikes Saratov oil refinery, airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine’s General Staff says
Last updated 12:12 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukrainian forces struck the Saratov oil refinery, a drone storage facility at an airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea and other military targets overnight on Nov. 28, Ukraine’s General Staff reported.
Ukraine struck the Saratov oil refinery, a facility that produces more than 20 petroleum products and supplies the Russian army. The strike sparked a fire at the site, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to the report.
During the attack, Ukrainian forces also targeted a drone storage facility at the Saky airfield in the village of Novofedorivka, Crimea.
Russian air defenses at the site were destroyed, including Pantsir S1 and Tor-M2 missile systems. Following the neutralization of the air defenses, Ukrainian troops destroyed the hangar storing long-range Forpost and Orion drones.
In addition to targeting Russian territory and Crimea, Ukrainian forces attacked concentrations of Russian troops and fuel and lubricant depots in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
Ukraine strikes Saratov oil refinery, airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine’s General Staff says
Last updated 10:37 a.m. Kyiv time.
North Korea is encouraging its troops in Ukraine to use grenades to kill themselves if capture is imminent, praising such actions as heroic, Daily NK reported on Nov. 27, citing undisclosed sources.
The North Korean military is highlighting the “heroic services” of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said. According to the media outlet, such messaging is delivered during political classes held for soldiers at least twice a week.
During these sessions, instructors claim the North Korean army “achieved a record of distinction unmatched even by the Russian soldiers,” while praising the dedication of troops who died carrying out the orders of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
The military also promotes slogans glorifying such sacrifices, including “if you give your life, you live forever,” and “let’s learn from the warriors who blew themselves up.”
‘If you give your life, you live forever’ — North Korean soldiers in Ukraine encouraged to use grenades to avoid capture, media reports
At least 1 killed, 20 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least one person has been killed and 20 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Nov. 28.
Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 72 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 63 drones. Nine drones and one missile made it through, striking five locations, while debris from downed drones fell on one additional site.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a Russian glide bomb killed a 61-year-old man and injured a 52-year-old woman in the Pokrov community, Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko reported.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks injured 13 people over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
In Kharkiv Oblast, a 52-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy suffered injuries as a result of the Russian attack against the village of Motuzivka, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
In Sumy Oblast, Russia targeted the Seredyna-Buda community, injuring two women, aged 44 and 49, the local military administration reported.
In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured one person in the city of Sloviansk and another in the city of Kostiantynivka, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.
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General Staff: Russia has lost 1,170,790 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,170,790 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Nov. 28.
The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,380 tanks, 23,643 armored fighting vehicles, 68,399 vehicles and fuel tanks, 34,730 artillery systems, 1,550 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,253 air defense systems, 430 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 85,237 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
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